Engineering Magazines

If automobile battery is something that troubles you often, you need to keep a check on this auto part. It’s easy and simple. Car Battery maintenance is essential as this automotive part plays a major role in the smooth functioning of any vehicle. As I always say, a little care and basic knowledge is what is required. Just have a fair idea of the automobile electrical system to keep the car’s battery in the best shape without any hassles. Follow the following car maintenance tips to keep you car’s battery running smoothly.

Tips No. 1 – Battery Needs Change - This is common and known to almost all the car owners. Your car’s battery needs to be changed after a duration of four years. Don’t forget to do that.

Tips No. 2 – Monthly check of the battery’s load test helps you avoid any hassle. Take your car’s battery to your auto mechanic and can load test it. Make sure your car’s battery is able to pass the test. Make sure that it is capable of sufficient charge even at below freezing temperatures.

Tips No. 3 – Just wipe off the battery terminals of any crust. An easy way to do so is to use some baking soda and water. Use a wire brush to clean the crust using this solution.

Tips No. 4 – Always keep the battery cables tightly tied. Make sure the cables are so tight that they do not move.

Tips No. 5 – Keep the battery safe in a tray. Also ensure that battery remains properly in the battery tray so that no damage is caused to the hood.

Tips No. 6 – Excess of cold is not a good condition for the car batteries. Therefore, look for a solution to it. The best way is to opt for an engine or battery heater. This keeps the car’s battery function smoothly. The heater will help in easily starting the battery and would also minimize the power consumed.

Tips No. 7 – Keep a check on when Service is needed – Different cars come with maintenance free battery. Regular check is needed for such automobile batteries. There is a light in maintenance free batteries that goes black when service is required.

Tip No. 8 – For Conventional Car Battery - These batteries come with a plastic cover that can be easily removed to check the water inside. It is important that the water inside the battery reaches the filler necks.

Tip No. 9 – Be Careful While Adding Water – Incase there is less water inside the battery, you may also add distilled water. I guess I should warn you at this moment. You might just harm yourself if you don’t be careful. The battery acid that is highly corrosive might harm your clothes.

Tip No. 10 – During Battery Check – It is important to make sure that you do not keep any kind of open flames near the car battery. Automobile battery contains chemicals that are combustible and hence can be dangerous.

Tip No. 11 – Over Charging Should Be Avoided – This is common and known to everybody that a dead battery can be charged using a battery charger. Improper charging of a battery is something that should be avoided. It might also lead to damage of battery’s as well as car’s parts & components.

These were some of the battery’s maintenance tips that are to be followed in order to keep your car’s battery and electrical system in best condition. The smooth functioning of automobile battery helps you have a tension free long drive. You can try these car parts maintenance (D-I-Y) tips yourself. Have a Happy & Safe Driving!!

Your car is a very important investment that you would never want it to experience a breakdown especially if it is new and you are also new as a driver.

Aside from your parents’ pieces of advice on road safety, it is also better to read some tips on the magazines or on the internet perhaps. Your parents may be experts on raising kids but they may not be when it comes to vehicular concerns. There are several write ups on car safety, repair and maintenance that you as a neophyte on the road should always keep in mind.

Examples of these tips are as follows:

Read your owner’s manual first. Written there is everything about your car that you need to know and remember always. From the auto parts to the proper repair and maintenance, all are written there. It is also important to obey the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule as written there.

To ensure excellent engine performance, at a good repair shop, have your engine drivability problems corrected. These problems include hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. It is also much better to replace dirty air, fuel and PCV fuels to ensure a real quality engine performance.

In order to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line, place a bottle of fuel de-icer in your fuel tank once a month. Remember that moisture formation is prevented in a gas tank that is always filled.

The oil and filter concerns are also specified in your owner’s manual. Change them according to the stated schedule. Most often, they are changed at least every 3,000 miles. This is so if driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of regular short trips.

Flush and refill the cooling system as recommended in the manual. Needed to be inspected periodically are the level, condition, and the concentration of the coolant. The usually recommended concentration is a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water. If you are checking this part by yourself, do not remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. Let the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses be checked by a reliable auto technician.

To achieve further comfort, the heater and defroster should be in good working condition.

Old windshield blades must be replaced. Buying rubber-clad or winter blades so that ice will not build up is a must in a winter season.

The brakes should be regularly checked. Consult the manual if you can replace the original ones with other brands such as EBC brakes.

Inspect the battery through professional equipment. This is the only appropriate way to detect a weak one. Remove the corrosion from posts and cable connections. Clean the entire surface. Make sure all connections are tightened. These should be your routine. Also check the level of fluid monthly if battery caps are removable.

Removal of cables might damage or loose data or codes on some newer vehicles. For further guidance, it is always safe to check your manual. Contact to acids is dangerous. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid by wearing an eye protection and rubber gloves.

Before going out with the car, check all lights and bulb. Burned out bulbs must be replaced immediately. All lenses should be free from road grime. For simple lights cleaning, a dry rag can be used.

Examine the exhaust system for leaks through putting your vehicle on a lift. See to it that the exhaust trunk and floorboards do not have small holes. And take note of this: any sweat in the exhaust is deadly. To avoid this, regularly check the system.

Worn tires are also dangerous. Regularly check them to avoid short tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. The sidewall should also be checked. Tire pressure should be checked once a month, but be sure tires are in cool condition before checking them. The manufacturer’s recommended rotation must be followed. And remember to always bring with you your spare that is in good condition. The jack, which should also be always present in your tools area, should also be in good condition.

And lastly, in case of emergency, you need to have some equipment to back you up. Always bring with you gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. This will further ensure your safety especially that you are a neophyte on the road.

Reading some materials on automotive can further add to your knowledge on cars.

Proper car care and maintenance helps increase the life of your car and enhance driving experience. When we say that it will enhance driving experience is not because maintenance will add comfort to the experience but because when a car is in a well-maintained condition, the possibilities of car failure reduce. This in turn enables you to enjoy a safer and stress-free ride.

In addition, a well-maintained car also improves the engine performance, enhances fuel-efficiency, and increases the resale value of your car. So, some time taken to maintain your car today will prove beneficial in the long run.

Here are the some of the useful tips for car maintenance:



The most important part of a car is the car engine. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of the engine. Inspect the engine well for ensure proper functioning of all the engine components. If any component needs to be replaced, replace it immediately. Also check the engine oil once in every two weeks. If the level is low, add oil to the tank and if you find any kind of adulterant empty the tank and reload the car engine oil. Make sure that you use the oil as recommended by the car manufacturer.

Then come to the car battery. It is a car component that generates energy to the car electronics and other high-end technologies in the car. It is linked with various components in the car through electric cables. Visually inspect these cables and also inspect the battery for corrosion.

Most of the significant car components like the dash lights, taillights, headlights, brake lights, and turn signals work on electric power. Make sure that all these are in proper working condition. If any of these lights are not working properly, it may lead to an injury or even a fatal accident.

Check the condition and working of the windshield wipers to ensure that there are no cracks in the wiper. Replace the wiper blade if required. Don’t touch the wiper blades with your hand as the oil in your fingers may hamper the performance of the wipers.

Tyre care is also very important. Check the tyres for uneven wear and appropriate air-pressure. Any kind of wear or cut on the surface of the tyre may cause the tyre to burst and incorrect air pressure may cause premature tyre failure. In both the cases, you may meet a fatal car accident.

Check the level of engine coolant once every fifteen days. Low level of engine coolant may cause overheating and hamper the performance of the engine. Also check for old radiator hoses or loose clamps periodically as this may cause the leakage of the coolant. Any leakage of the coolant may lead to overheating and expensive repairs. Replace the hoses if required.

Your driving style and habit also influences the condition of your car. To keep your car in a well-maintained condition, it is also important to follow good driving methods. Never apply abrupt braking and acceleration. Also avoid driving with your foot on the clutch pedal. Release the pedal fully while driving.

With the long cold days of winter about to start, you may be thinking that with nobody looking to travel long distances now is the time that both you and the car can rest. Guess again! Winter requires as much and perhaps even more car care than summer time because winter could just worsen whatever technical problem your car was showing in summer. The following tips will show you how to avoid some common winter problems.

Engine

Note down problems like stalling or difficult starts, less power, rough idling and try to get your hands dirty and fix them. Else, get a technician at a repair shop to look at them. These problems might well have existed during summer but winter always tends to make them worse.

Oil

It is important that during winter times, you use oil that can handle the cold weather and manage to flow quickly to critical engine parts, even during severe winter conditions. The frequency of oil changes will depend on the kind of driving you do in the winter – the Owner’s Manual will suggest to you how often you need to change the oil for various driving types. Usually it is suggested that oil be changed every 3-5,000 miles.

Battery

It is again important to check on the battery. The battery’s power comes down significantly in severe cold weather. This is made worse in older batteries. They tend to work fine in summer but fail as soon as the temperature drops. It is therefore essential that a technician check your battery, especially if it is at least four years old. Of course, despite all this it is better to be prepared at all times, with a set of good jumper cables. It might also be a good idea to have a portable power pack in the car, which can again be used in emergencies.

Heater/Defroster

A properly working heater/defroster not only helps passengers stay comfortable but also helps the driver’s visibility, as to drive safely you need to be able to see clearly through the windshield. Keeping a full gas tank helps in being ready but also reduces the chances of any moisture forming in the lines that carry the fuel, which can freeze up and cause problems.

Tire Care

Maintaining proper inflation in tires during winter is also essential. During cold weather, air contracts and so air in the tires also contracts. Highly inflated tires will increase the wear and tear on tires and also increase the fuel consumption. On the other hand, under inflated tires will just reduce traction. You could also consider going in for special tires, which are designed to grip slippery roads when snow and ice can be a problem.

Lights and Wipers

Always make sure that lights are inspected regularly to ensure that bulbs can be lit and headlights be aimed properly. Also, even wiper blades have to be taken care of. Replace them regularly and even consider special snow blades if you are going to be driving in severe weather.

Warm Up

During winter, when you start the engine, just wait for a few seconds so that a proper flow of oil has been started and there is adequate lubrication before driving off. However, waiting for too long is also not good, as that will just waste gas.

Take care of your car for the winter and your car will ensure your safety even during the worst of winter.

The summer is typically the roughest season on your car. The added heat and strain of the air conditioning system can result in breakdowns and being stranded. Here are some tips for your car this summer that will keep you going, keep you cool and minimize repairs. Basically these tips can keep you out of the breakdown lane.

1) Cooling system flush and fill. This costs around $60-$80 and is important as residue, rust, metal particles, etc… will clog up your system and reduce its effectiveness. If your cooling system is compromised it can lead to engine overheating and very expensive repairs or total engine failure. Sometimes just a top off of the antifreeze or coolant is all that is warranted.

2) Battery test. Take your car to a auto parts store and have the battery checked. Most will do this for free. They will also clean your battery cables and terminals. Sulfuric acid build up will corrode and worsen the connections which can lead to a dead battery or other electrical problem. A bad battery will not hold the proper charge and, especially in traffic on a hot day can leave you stranded. Believe in Murphy’s law and be prepared for it. If something can or will fail it will probably do it when you least expect it and when it will effect you the most. Be prepared by testing your battery and replacing if necessary.

3) Change the oil and transmission fluid and replace the filters. Have this professionally done as a mechanic can tell you of warning signs these fluids can indicate with a change in oil color, smell, etc… that can warn of impending or future issues. They will top off and check all necessary fluids for your car. They will also check the belts, hoses, tires and more if you ask. Choose a place that is well recommended as there are less than honest mechanics out there. Any AAA repair shop is a good bet as they subscribe to the highest code of ethics in the business. And as a good general rule, have this done every 4,500 – 5,000 miles.

4) Remember to take care of your car’s finish. You want the paint to remain in good condition for as long as possible. Wash the car regularly as bird dropping, acid rain, dirt, etc… can ruin the finish. Apply wax and sealant to protect the paint from the sun, salt and weather conditions. Polymer sealants with PTFE and PTCFE work best as they will bond the slipperiest substances known to man to your paint and this will even keep dust and dirt off your car or truck. Also don’t neglect your headlights, which can become cloudy and won’t operate as well. Cloudy headlights make for extremely unsafe night time driving and will greatly detract from your cars appearance. A headlight repair, cleaner and restoration kit will return cloudy headlights to like new condition and is now readily available. Learn more about this headlight repair and similar cleaning products by visiting the below link.

5) AC system check. According to mechanics the average car is a little low on refrigerant (R-134a for most cars). You can do a recharge yourself as kits can be bought for under $30 at your local auto parts store. I advise against this as it is too easy to blow a hose or not seal it correctly. Get it professionaly done. It won’t cost much more and they can do a check to see if it is leaking and fix it the same day. What good would filling it do if it all leaked back out?

These tips will keep your car running cool all summer long, make it safer, and make it look great. And best of all, it will keep you out of the dreaded break down lane.