Taking Care of Your Car's Battery

Every car comes with one, but some motorists act as if this particular component is completely maintenance free. What am I talking about? Your car's battery. Technological advances have made "maintenance free" batteries standard equipment on virtually every vehicle produced today. However, the term "maintenance free" is a misnomer, one that can leave you stranded if you do not perform proper and regular maintenance. Battery maintenance isn't difficult to do, so let's take a look at what you can do to keep your car running.

Before discussing battery maintenance, please make sure that your battery is, in fact, the sealed type. If it isn't, then the "maintenance free" label certainly does not apply and you will need to add water on a regular basis. Unsealed batteries are easy to spot as they have small vent caps on top of the battery which can be twisted open. You will need to periodically add distilled water to maintain water levels; more so in the summer months as water tends to evaporate quicker. Do not let your battery run low or run out of water as the battery's cells can be ruined.

If your battery is of the sealed variety, then the "maintenance free" label is still only partially true since the term only extends to you not needing to add water to the cells as you would with an unsealed battery.

With any type of car battery - sealed or unsealed - you must do the following to help keep it working properly:

1. Clean the cables. Disconnect the cables from the battery and clean them with a wire brush that has been doused in a home made mixture [the mixture combines one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water]. Use this same mixture to clean off the top of the battery; use a small and clean paint brush to apply the solution where needed.

2. Lubricate the posts. A small dab of petroleum jelly on each post will help keep your cables clean and free of corrosion longer. In addition, the jelly will make it easier for you to slip the cables back onto the battery.

3. Check connections. Besides the connection between the cable and the posts, make sure that the battery hold down bar is securely in place. Not all cars have or need a battery hold down bar, but if yours has come so equipped, you will need to put it back in its proper place.

That's it! Car battery maintenance is an easy task and one that should be performed on an annual basis. If you keep your battery properly maintained, you will extend its life and greatly reduce the chance that your battery will fail you at an inopportune time. Yes, the "maintenance free" label is incorrect, so please don't be lulled into forgetting to do something that should never be overlooked. 

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Simple Car Maintenance Tips

You drive your car everyday. Do you pay attention to it? Do you feel that slight shimmy in the front end? Is there a new knocking sound under the hood? Is there a rattle in the dashboard? No one knows your car better than you do. If you feel something different, or if it isn't handling correctly take it to your mechanic. It could be something as simple as a tire out of alignment, or perhaps a loose belt. It's always best to find any small problem before it becomes a large one.

Here are some simple maintenance tips that you can follow to help prolong the life of your car, and help save you money.

Notice where you park your car and get into the habit of looking to see if there are any leaks when you pull out. This can be very tricky in a public garage with lots of stains from leaks from other cars, but if your car is leaking any type of fluid, transmission, radiator or brake the leak will look "fresh". If you see any fluid leaking have your car serviced as soon as possible.

Keep an eye on your tires. When you have your oil changed every 3,000 miles have your tires rotated. At this time the technician will inspect your tires for any wear. Keep your tires aligned. Check your tire pressure once every month. It's easy enough to read tire gauges and they even have electronic ones. Keeping your tires properly inflated helps increase gas mileage too.

As mentioned above, change your oil at least every 3,000 miles. The oil is the life blood of your car and keeping fresh oil in your car can extends it's life by many, many miles. At this time the technician will check your air filter, hoses and belts.

Keep your windshield washer reservoir full and carry an extra gallon with you. You don't want to be caught without washer fluid, and you don't realize how quickly you use it up, especially in the winter months when we get salt spray on the windshield. Replace your wiper blades once a year.

Following these simples steps can go a long way in prolonging the life of your car.

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Oil – The Life Of Your Car

Oil cleans your car. It lubricates parts. It helps cool things down. Without it, your engine would be sitting squarely in the center of your local junkyard.

Scheduling regular oil changes is vital to the life of any vehicle.

The oil filter keeps little bits of dust and other contaminants out of your engine, and helps ensure the oil runs smoothly, so you want to change that every time you change the oil.

Imagine how your body would react if your kidneys and liver shut down. The impurities in your blood would build up continually, and it wouldn't take long for your body to completely break down.

Oil for your car can be likened to blood to your body. Your car needs clean oil to keep going. What would happen if you never changed your oil?

Well, you'd be lucky to get 30,000 miles out of the car before your engine would collapse.

Say you only change your oil once a year. Your car seems to be running fine, so no harm done, right? Not so fast! Your engine has been flooded with contaminants. It won't be long till you find yourself coming to a standstill.

Regular oil changes are as important to your car as daily trips to the bathroom are to you. Now, we won't take the analogy too far, but you get the idea. This one scheduled maintenance may help your vehicle avoid mechanical failures.

I actually heard two mechanics say that they figured you could run a car forever if you had the oil changed every 2000 miles. That may seem excessive to some folks. But it kept my baby humming nicely!

Now if you see any hint of an oil leak on the driveway after the car is parked, get to a service station. This could be ultra bad news and you need to have your car checked out immediately. Ditto if you detect a burning smell or smoke coming from around the engine!

You may not feel 100% comfortable changing your oil, but you can check it easily. It's best to check the oil when your engine is cold. Unscrew the cap and pull out the dipstick. Wipe it with a clean tissue or paper towel. Reinsert the stick all the way. Then pull it back out and check the dipstick. You'll see "add" and "full" lines clearly marked on it. If the oil film is between the "add" and "full" lines, you're good. If it's below the "add" line, you need a quart of oil. Make sure you use the kind recommended in your owner's manual. After adding the oil, repeat all the steps.

See, that wasn't too hard, was it?

Make sure you take the time to check the oil levels in your car, and have it changed regularly. It literally means the difference between life and death for your vehicle!

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Winter Car Care Tips Part 3

Believe it or not, your car has affects from the cold too. Follow these tips to help you have a safer winter driving season.

First, and this goes for any time of year, change your oil at the manufacturers specified time, generally 3,000 miles. When you have an oil change most technicians also give your car a once over checking tires and belts and fluids. Remember, the oil is the life blood of your car.

Keep your gas tank full. This helps prevent possible moisture build up and also adds a bit of weight to your car which might help you in the snow. Don't let your tank fall below one half.

Replace your wiper blades. There's nothing worse than having no visibility, especially when you're getting the spray of salt up on your windshield. Make sure you have plenty of washer fluid. Carry an extra gallon with you. You go through it much faster in the winter weather due to salt spray.

Check the tire pressure on a regular basis. Make sure that if you don't have actual snow tires on different rims that the radials you have on your car have a good tread. Again, like the oil, keep an eye on the condition of your tires. A good rule is to have them rotated when you have your oil changed this will help prevent uneven wear. Make sure that you have a usable spare tire and you spare hasn't dry rotted.

There are a few things that you should keep in your car for winter driving, an ice scraper and deicer (it's a good thing to keep these things in the house too in case your car is covered with ice when you need to get into it), boots, gloves, a small shovel, sand and a flash light. Always have your cell phone fully charged and with you just in case.

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Winter Car Care Tips Part 2

The cold weather affects your car too. Along with making driving more hazardous due to ice and snow, extreme winter weather can be stressful, especially on older cars.

As winter approaches take you car to your trusty mechanic and have him check the following items: battery, wipers, antifreeze levels, heating system, brakes, defroster.

You'll want to make sure your battery is fully charged as cold weather starting is a heavy drain on your battery. You'll want to make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition as they'll get a lot of use brushing snow off, and, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and carry an extra gallon in your car.

Your windshield washer fluid will get used up quickly keeping salt off the windshield. You will want to make sure that your antifreeze is at proper levels. Antifreeze can prevent freezing of your engine to about 30 degrees below zero. It should be replaced every two years. Have your heating system checked, this will include your defroster, which you'll really need during the winter.

Make sure you have good winter tires on your car. If you live in an area where you get a good amount of snowfall you may want to make a seasonal change from all season to snow tires. All season radials just don't give you the same performance in snow and ice that dedicated snow tires do.

There are things that you should keep in your car during the winter. Snow scraper, deicer, blankets, extra hat and mittens, small snow shovel, sand (to help with traction), boots. At all times you should have a small first aid kit, booster cables, small tools such as screwdriver, wrench and pliers a flashlight with extra batteries, extra water. Keep a can of deicer in your home so you'll be able to get into your car.

Remember before leaving home to make sure your car is completely cleaned off. Clear all snow and ice from your hood, roof, trunk and side. Make sure your headlights and tail lights are clearly visible. Drive slowly. The posted speed limits are for ideal driving conditions. When driving leave plenty of stopping distance between you and the car in front of you. You may need to leave more distance in icy conditions. Make any turns slowly. Brake slowly.

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Winter Car Care Tips Part 1

As the weather turns colder, it is time to think about your car for a second. A little preparation can go a long way to making your winter travels a lot safer. Here is a checklist to get you started.

1.Check the antifreeze. The freezing point can be checked with a simple tool available at any auto parts store. Make sure you check the antifreeze when it's cool. Opening a hot radiator can be a dangerous thing.
2.Check the air pressure in your tires. As the air gets cooler pressure drops in your tires. Maintaining your tire pressures will reward you with higher gas mileage and longer tire life.
3.Make sure you have the following items in your car.
- Ice Scraper
- Salt or sand for traction
- Blanket in case you are stranded and need to keep warm
- Good first aid kit (not just for winter)
- Road flares
4.Check all belts and hoses. As the temperature drops rubber tends to stiffen and break allot easier. Make sure all your rubber hoses and belts are in tip-top shape.
5.Treat your gas tank to a can of gas line antifreeze before the cold weather strikes. The additive will remove any water in the system and prevent your fuel lines from freezing.
6.Check your tires for wear. Make sure you have plenty of tread left to get you through the snow. Nothing is worse than 3" of snow and bald tires. 

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