One of the most very important parts of your car or truck is the battery. Whether it does not work properly, your car or truck doesn't start. And, in the winter season that is even more true than in the summer.
The electrical power generated by the
battery is used by the cars and trucks ignition system for cranking the engine. The car or truck's
battery may also power the lighting and other components.
Have the
battery tested on a regular basis, including when your car is serviced, before long trips and after it has been
recharged. These are some things that you can do yourself to avoid being stranded on a cold winter day.
Know how old your
battery is. To find out how old your
battery is look for a small decal over the
battery. A letter with a number should be there. The letter shows the month, beginning with
"A" for January, "B" for February, and so on.
I is skipped so
December is "M". The number represents the year with
"9" standing for 1999, "0" for 2000, etc. so D1, is usually April, 2001. F6 would be June, 2006. Experts usually advise buying a new
battery when a
battery is 4
years of age.
Watch out for corroded terminals, loose clamps, loose cables, or a leaking or damaged
battery case.
Try to look for dirty, wet, corroded or swollen cables and
battery top.
Look for a loose or maybe broken alternator belt. If your alternator fails the
battery may also need to power the
car or truck's entire electrical system until repairs can be made.
Maintain jumper cables in the trunk of your car for emergency start up. Make sure the cables are free of oxidation and corrosion and that there are no exposed wires just before using them.
In case you must leave your car or truck outside all day, get out there and start the car several times a day and let the car run for a few minutes that will warm up. This will help the car to start quicker when you are ready to go.
How To Maintain Your Car Battery
