Your Car Battery
A car’s battery is under very much stress in modern vehicles. It’s true that the engineering of more powerful batteries evolved, but more and more electrical systems and devices are added to a car. Besides the heavier load on them, other circumstances can affect your battery’s performance. Things such excessive heat, which can lead to the evaporation of the battery fluid (you should remember that operating your car’s battery in conditionsof extreme heat is more damaging than running it in extreme cold), or overcharging can cause serious problems to its functioning.
There are two ratings on car battery: CCA and RC. CCA means Cold Cranking Amps and RC means Reserve Capacity. When you replace it, be sure to buy one with the same properties as the initial one. Usually, these ratings are mentioned on the battery sticker.
There are a series of tips you should know in order to take good care of your car battery. First of all, remember to maintain your engine properly. Because an engine in good shape will start easily, it will induce less stress on the battery at startup.
Regularly check your battery with the aid of a specialized load test. Its results will tell you if you need to replace it or not.
Because dirt and corrosion of the battery’s terminals can lead to its premature wear, make sure these contacts are clean. Use an old toothbrush or a bristle brush to clear the terminals. Use a combination of baking soda and water to clean them effectively.
Remember to check the water level every few months. When needed (if the water level is below the refill hole), add distilled water (under no circumstance use tap water, as it will corrode the battery’s terminals).
If the energy level of your car’s battery is low, you can boost it. It is a relatively easy procedure, but if not done properly, it can cause a lot of damage to you and your car.
Connect the (+) clamps of the new and the old battery.
After that, connect the (-) clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery, while connecting the other negative clamp to the car frame or a grounded metal element (you can use the engine block) on the vehicle with the dead battery. Remember; do not connect the final clap to the dead battery’s negative terminal.
Leave the cables attached this way for a couple of minutes without starting the engine. Do not crank the motor more than 10 seconds. After the engine of the car with the dead battery has started, remove the clamps in the exact reverse order. It is best not to let either of the clamps touch each other as this will cause sparks.
When working with the electrical systems of your car, wear protective elements (goggles and isolating gloves). Besides the high electricity levels a car battery produces, it has hazardous acids inside as well as other gases which can cause serious injuries.
Watch the video related to car battery replacement
Learn how to remove a car battery so it can be replaced withexpert car tips in this free online automotive repair video clip. Expert: William Myers Contact: www.austinsubaru.com/en_US/ Bio: William Myers has been a Senior Master Technician for Subaru since 1998. He is an ASE Certified Master Technician and L1 Advanced Level Specialist. Filmmaker: EV studios
Help answer the question about car battery replacement
Car battery replacement?
I believe i haev a bad battery, not a bad alternator (hopefully). Anyways, i would like to take my battery out and test it, however, i cant even tell where the battery is. The positive and negitive connections seem to be lead to the top of the engine for access, but it seems like the battery is under it all. The fuse box and the air filter seem to be on top of it. Is anyone famliar with this setup? How do i get my battery out? Thanks
It is a 1999 Crystal Sebring JXI Convertable.
The car wont start without a jump either.
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Dennis runs Car Dealer Check a website dedicated to Car Dealer Reviews and informing people about bad car dealers.
12 Comments to “Your Car Battery”
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By Raytard124, November 14, 2009 @ 5:16 am
Old Wife’s Tale BTW
By Jafch1, November 14, 2009 @ 5:44 am
From your description that sounds like an auxiliary battery. Essentially, that is an extra battery with some electronic switching so that the battery is always charged, and the switching alternates which battery the car starts from.
But really, you'd be better off cost wise to just use a really good battery such as an Optima Battery. They cost a little more, but they really work great, and won't leak.
I have one that I had in my truck for 8 years, and since the truck was recently totaled I am now using it in my hot rod. I used to have to buy a battery every 3 to 4 years, so this one has really paid for its self.
By Bartholomew, November 14, 2009 @ 5:55 am
A battery charger that will do what you want will cost a very pretty penny. I would stick with the toys that are made to do that. And I agree with the posting above. A car battery has thin lead plates and would not hold up very long at all to the task.
Read this link, it will tell you how to do it just don't put the solar panels or charge controller on it. It is all in the Inverter.
http://www.oynot.com/solar-power.html
Buy this kind of batteries Deep Cycle.
http://store.oynot.com/concorde-sun-xtender-batteries.html
Get one of these types of inverters because most modified sine wave inverters are cheapies and will not allow a power strip or a desktop computer because they use a neutral ground. This makes the inverter switch off till the ground is removed. These work great. And they are true sine wave like normal house electric. Modified sine wave inverters will make motors hammer and shorten their lifes. Some make radios and TV sets buzz. I said some not all. There are some high grade modified sinewave inverters but if paying that much money may as well get a good one with a built in battery charger.
http://store.oynot.com/statpower-prosine.html
But it is going to cost a little cash. I have a backup electric system setup but it is solar powered.
By spidrmage, November 14, 2009 @ 6:23 am
what if i remove the +/- cables in the wrong order and install them the wrong way? will i get shocked?
By Tericka, November 14, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
the best thing to do in a hard start condition is to take the car to a part store like o reillys or advance auto or auto zone something like that and have them do a load test on the battery, do a charging system test on the alternator to make sure the battery is receiving a charge and a starter test to see how many amps the starter is pulling out of the battery on start up to do this test u should disable the fuel system by pulling the fuel pump fuse and crank the starter for 10-15 seconds and observe. these three tests will tell u the problem most starters on average driving last usually 100k mi alternators usually go 70k mi and a new battery should last between 36 and 60 months usually after 60 i check the battery every oil change. copy and paste and print this to take with u so u can explain to a mechanic or parts person what should be done to your car
By m dizzle, November 15, 2009 @ 3:27 am
If you mean just the ignition switch it should be O.K.
By MarioLoco03, November 15, 2009 @ 6:00 am
you cant type for shit. does that mean you shouldnt try to post on youtube?
By Elijah Lin, November 15, 2009 @ 10:38 am
yes, it could shorten the life of your battery…which is about 5 years, but could be 4 or 6 depending on things like this
By Kay W, November 16, 2009 @ 12:05 am
By mikemichaelkestler, November 16, 2009 @ 6:33 am
the only reason to hook up another battery in a car is if you want to frequently use alot of power while your cars not running. it will not give you "more power" it will just allow you to use your electronics longer when the car is off. if that's the case it would be beneficial to get 2 of the same batteries. to hook it up you just need to run a thick power wire (at least 4 gauge) from the positive end of your main battery to the positive end of the battery in your trunk then ground the negative end of that battery to the frame in your trunk. if its more power you want then upgrade your alternator.
By Rick Z, November 16, 2009 @ 8:41 am
Most cars (at least in the US) have the negative side grounded. You can check by following the negative cable and see what it attaches to. Most likely it will bolt to the frame or body of the car, and somewhere on the engine or transmission.
By bAmA cHiCk, November 16, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
In short, yes it would. If the battery is now fully charged, unhook the ground terminal for a few minutes and re-attach. The check engine light may still be on but it will re-set within 250 miles of use. If you are worried about the light on the dash your handy dandy Nissan Dealer can re-set the indicator code that's making it stay on, on the dash.
Good Luck to ya,
Are you really a Confederate Dolly?