About Car Battery Maintenance

Your car’s battery should be tested on a regular basis in order to make sure it is charging correctly and that maintenance is not needed.  Your battery should be tested when you do your regular servicing, before going on a trip and afterwards.

• Make sure to wear safety glasses and the appropriate clothing if you are going to check your car battery because the battery is surrounded by acid. 


• Check the battery cable connectors making sure they are on tight and there is no evidence of corrosion around the battery. 


• Refill your battery with water if needed.  Read your directions because some batteries do not require water because they are maintenance-free batteries. 


• Make sure there is no damage to the insulation in the battery that may cause electrical problems.


• Make sure that you buy the right size battery for your car when you buy a replacement. 


• Make sure your battery is placed in its location securely to avoid it tipping over and out of place.  A battery that is not positioned correctly and moving around can cause damage to other parts of the engine. 


• Keep your battery clean.  Make sure the battery cables are kept clean and free of debris.  Clean your battery regularly with a baking soda and water mixture.


• Use soapy water to get rid of any grease and dirt that may be found on the battery.  A battery may become weak if not cleaned properly. 


• Take your battery to a service person to test and check for any serious problems with the battery.


• Look at the owner’s manual before taking the battery out of your car for any special instructions as it may relate to your battery.