by Art Heberger

Created on: June 02, 2010   Last Updated: July 21, 2010

Preventative Maintenance

I spent some years as an ASE Certified Mechanic, so I know the last thing you want is a car that won't start because the battery is dead. To avoid expensive towing and roadside service charges keep your car battery clean and working with a little preventative maintenance.

I'm writing this article to show you how to perform a simple battery check-up so you know if your battery is performing well. I will also explain how to replace your battery if it needs to be, so you're not left stranded with a car that won't start. I will also give you a few maintenance tips.

You will need some wrenches (the size will depend on your car and whether you have a top or side post battery), a post cleaner, baking soda, a terminal puller and a hydrometer. Keep in mind that some vehicles store codes that may be lost when the battery is disconnected. Plugging a "Memory Saver" into your cigarette lighter will prevent this. You can find what you need at your local auto parts store. (The baking soda is probably it your kitchen)

Caution! Always wear eye protection and rubber gloves when working on batteries, and never smoke when you are near them!

The first thing to do is clean the top of the battery and any corrosion you see on the cables using a tablespoon of baking soda, a cup of water and a nonmetallic brush, then wash it off with cool water. Next disconnect the cables, remove the negative terminal first to keep your wrenches from arcing on any nearby metal. Loosen the battery terminal bolts and give them a twist. Use a terminal puller if they're stuck. DO NOT pry on the battery posts. If you have a side post terminal, use a 5/16 wrench to loosen the cables. With the cables removed, clean off the corrosion around the battery terminals and posts with a post cleaner.

Gently remove the battery cell covers; unless you have a maintenance free battery. The electrolyte (water and acid mixture) in the battery should be to the bottom of the fill hole. If it needs water, use clean distilled water, being careful not to overfill the cells, and then inspect the battery case for cracks. If you find a crack, replace the battery. If you added water, let the water mix with the electrolyte for a few hours before the next step and reconnect the battery to maintain your memory functions.

Next test the electrolyte in each cell. Squeeze the ball, insert it in a cell and draw the electrolyte into the tester. Hold the tester level and check the reading. Squeeze the electrolyte back

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