Your vehicle’s battery is what it needs to turn on. If the engine fails to turn over, then you know something has gone wrong with the car battery. Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs of all makes and models need a properly working battery to get going. Don’t get stuck in your driveway or on the roadside on a snowy morning. Learn more about your car’s battery instead.

When Something Goes Wrong

Does the engine sound cranky? It could be that your car is old. But if it’s not starting up as quickly as it should, then this is the first sign you need to have some professional advice. You’ll need to take a close look and see if the engine has started corroding. If your car’s check engine light has come on unexpectedly, it’s another sign that your car battery is failing.

What Drains the Battery?

So your next question might have to do with what drains the battery. Leaving the headlights on overnight or leaving a power adapter plugged in can both drain the battery when you least expect it. It’s also possible that the wiring has come loose. That’s why whenever you are working with the headlights, or under the hood, you need to be careful not to pull any cables or wires loose that shouldn’t be.

Taking multiple short trips can also drain the car battery, especially if you keep turning the engine on and off. The battery will need some time to be able to recharge so that it can keep running normally. If that doesn’t happen, it will ruin the life of the battery. Now, high temperatures can also wreck the battery, and although you won’t need to worry about it during the winter, it won’t be long until spring and summer come back.

Prolonging Battery Life

When you are parking your car, turn off the engine. Remember to turn off all your lights, both inside and out. Unplug all the power adapters in your car, especially if you’ve been using it to charge your phone while you’re on the go. Don’t idle the car, as this will drain the battery as well.

Trick Trucks Has the Answers to All Your Vehicle Care Questions

If you want to upgrade your vehicle, then come to see us at Trick Trucks. We are happy to make sure your truck is in great condition and is looking fresh all year round. We have over forty years of experience, so there is nothing we haven’t seen. Give us a call at 1-866-60-TRICK or visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube to keep up with our newest projects and to gain inspiration for your next one.

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Your vehicle has been your faithful steed through all of your adventures this summer. As temperatures start to rise again, you need to make sure that your car or truck can still run smoothly without breaking down or overheating. If you’re not sure how to take care of your vehicle’s battery, then here are some tips you can follow.

Precautions

You need to observe a few precautions first. For example, be sure to wear eye protection so that hot oil won’t be a hazard if some hits in the face. The same goes for any steam that vents out when you open the hood. You should also wear long sleeves while working on your vehicle’s battery. Don’t forget about the gloves, either, because you don’t want to get splashed with battery acid. In short, wear as much protective clothing and gear as you can.

Inspect the Battery

Now it’s time to inspect your battery. Whether you drive a car or truck, the battery will start to wear down. Heat can cause corrosion in the engine bay, evaporate battery fluid, and decrease overall battery power levels. If you spot cracks, leaks, or bulges, these are signs you need to remove the current battery and get a new one put installed. While inspecting your battery, you’ll also need to check how much fluid is left in it. Pull off any caps or plugs that you see. If you find battery fluid on the vertical plates, then everything is okay for the time being. But if you can see the plates, then you’ll need to add some distilled water. Be careful when you add the water because overfilling could cause the battery acid to overflow. Don’t use tap water for this part of the process.  

Get Rid of Corrosion

Now you can get rid of any rust or corrosion that you see. For this step, you’ll need a terminal brush, a terminal wrench, cleaner spray, and a water source. Unplug the cables from your battery. Make sure you get both of them when you do this. Put the terminal brush into the post and then turn the brush. Turn the brush at least twice. You’ll also need to clean the cable end. Turn the brush until you can see bright metal. Then use the wrench to reinstall the cables and spray everything with the cleaner spray. After a minute or two, rinse off the cleaner spray with some water.

Trick Trucks Has the Answers to All Your Questions

If you want to upgrade your vehicle, then come to see us at Trick Trucks. We are happy to make sure your truck is in great condition and is looking fresh all year round. We have over forty years of experience, so there is nothing we haven’t seen. Give us a call at 1-866-60-TRICK or visit us online. Follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube to keep up with our newest projects and to gain inspiration for your next one.

The post Maximizing Your Vehicle’s Battery appeared first on Trick Trucks.