Many times people find themselves stranded on the side of the road or at home in the garage due to some sort of problem with their car. The need for automotive knowledge only goes up and cars become more and more advanced, however there are still some simple things that most anyone can do. Preventative maintenance, such as maintaining proper tire pressure or even washing your car regularly can greatly extend the life of the vehicle and even help to improve its resale value when you get ready to trade it in. Beyond the really simple tasks, there are some things that can be done under the hood by most anyone that can save both time and money, and one such thing is changing the battery.
Car batteries are so often taken for granted. This is probably because, usually, when you turn the key the engine starts. When it doesn’t, many people are simply at a loss and have little or no idea what part or parts to suspect. There are some sounds you can listen for that can help you determine if the battery is the problem.
If at first you hear silence, and then you continue to hear silence, you can be pretty sure your car’s batter has a problem. It is true that the battery may be only a symptom of a bigger problem however. Consider that one of the many electrical items in a car may have been left on. Then again the charging mechanism may be ultimately at fault. Either way, the car isn’t going to move until you charge or replace the battery so long as the issue is not a simple as reconnecting a lose cable.
If, rather than silence, you hear a clicking sound from under the hood, you can still look at the battery as too drained to operate properly. In this case there is no reason to keep trying. The car will not start. As with silence you may still have a bigger problem, but once again you will need to deal with the battery first.
If you replace a battery and find that it discharges again quickly, you may have purchased a bad unit. On the other hand, you may have issues with your alternator. This can be determined by placed a volt meter across the battery terminals. The meter will show you the charge. If low, your alternator could be the real part that requires repair.
If you determine that you will need a new battery, you can get help in finding the right one at your favorite auto parts store, either by simply asking or by using the kiosk available in many stores. Simply enter a little about your car and the system will point you to the proper replacement. If you are unable to locate the proper part there will be people available that can help you get what you need.
Once you obtain the correct part you need minimal tools to do the job. Keep in mind the correct process for disconnecting the cables from the terminals and reconnecting them. You will also need to dispose of the used battery properly.
Having a good idea about recognizing problems and even a minimal skill set that allows you to deal with the smaller ones is a good idea for anyone who drives. Even being just a little bit handy under the hood can take you a long way. Recognizing problems and fixing them yourself can be a great time and money saver.
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