Car Battery Care

Your car battery may be the one thing in your car that needs to be replaced the most often. That doesn’t mean that you can’t extend your car battery’s life with the right care and maintenance, and avoid services and tow charges. Battery repair in Houston, TX is even possible sometimes to avoid complete replacement. To keep your battery running smoothly, follow these care tips:

• Seasonal battery check: Performing a seasonal check can help you avoid battery repair in Houston, TX. The last thing you want is to be surprised by a dead battery when you’re stranded somewhere on a road trip. That way, you’ll know when your battery is nearing the end of its life.
• Clean the cables: Cleaning corrosion off the battery with a post cleaner will improve its lifespan. Corrosion can impair the workings of the battery and result in needing replacement if left unchecked. Clean the top of the battery and cables using baking soda, water and a non-metallic brush. Disconnect the cables and loosen the cable clamp bolts and posts to further clean off corrosion from around the terminals.
• Check electrolytes: Apply clean, distilled water to the car battery through the fill holes. You’ll be able to see the level of the water and acid mixture in the battery, which should be about half an inch deep or to the bottom of the fill hole.
• Test the battery: You can test the electrolytes in each cell by squeezing the ball on the hydrometer and drawing the solution into the tester. Write down the reading before squirting the solution back into the same cell. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 1.265 or higher. If the readings are low, you’ll want to charge the battery.
• Replace old batteries: If you’re experiencing signs of a failing battery, it’s time to replace it. Signs of a low battery can be that your starter turns slowly and it takes several tries to start your car, or that your headlights look dimmer than usual. Sometimes your check engine light will come on when battery power is low. You can also take a look at your car battery itself, and if it has a swelling or bloated battery case or is corroded beyond repair, it is likely time for a new battery.
• Three-year replacement: If you haven’t had any trouble with your battery, but it’s been over three years since your last replacement, you definitely want to have a look at the battery, clean the corrosion, check the electrolytes and see if it needs recharging. Keep an eye out for signs that the battery is on its last leg, and be sure to replace it before it completely dies on you so you are not left stranded an in need of battery repair in Houston, TX.

If it’s time for a new battery or you’re in need of battery repair in Houston, TX, stop by Texford Battery Co., the premier battery store in the area since 1931. We carry batteries that meet a number of industrial, automotive and personal needs. Give us a call or stop by today!

Categorised in: Battery Repair

This post was written by Writer