HARTLAND, WI--(Marketwire - January 10, 2011) - If regular battery maintenance isn't part of your car care routine, you may be heading for a stall. Regular inspections and maintenance of your car's battery can help ensure safe and reliable starts, in both hot and cold climates.
Batteries Plus stores offer free car battery and electrical system testing in addition to a visual inspection of your car battery to look for common problems such as corrosion, poor connectors and failed hold downs that can affect battery performance.
"Even if you don't have to cope with winter weather where you live," said Russ Reynolds, CEO of Batteries Plus, "heat and humidity can cause battery problems, too. The bottom line is that it's no fun having to deal with a dead battery, no matter what the weather. That's why we recommend having your car's battery checked every three to six months."
Reynolds offers these battery inspection and maintenance tips designed to maximize the life of your battery and improve its performance in any climate. Note: If you attempt battery maintenance yourself, always wear proper eye, hand and body protection to help prevent burns and serious injury from the acid and corrosive chemicals inside the battery.
Tip 1:
Loose battery hold-downs leave the battery subject to vibrations, which can cause the active material to shed from the car battery plate grids, resulting in a shorter battery life.
What to do:
- Secure the battery firmly to its mounting bracket.
Tip 2:
Corroded terminals resulting from sulfuric acid overflows from the lead acid cells within the battery, or moisture buildups, can also cause a car battery to fail over time.
What to do:
- Check the terminals where the battery cables connect and make sure they are tight and corrosion-free. If you see corrosion, ask a qualified technician to fix the problem.
- Keep terminal clamps clean. If you see an accumulation of a powdery, white substance around the electrodes, use baking soda and water to clean the clamps.
- Prevent future corrosion by using an anti-corrosion spray on the exposed metal parts of the terminals and cables.
Tip 3:
Visible swelling, cracks or vents in your battery's case are an indication that the battery is failing and should be replaced.
- Do a visual inspection of your battery regularly. If you see indications of battery failure, have your battery checked by a qualified technician and replaced if necessary.
- Keep your battery clean. Even small amounts of dirt deposited on the battery can lead to a power "leak" and cause uncontrolled discharge and power loss.
Excessive heat and cold can both lead to battery failure, adds Reynolds. In hot climates, park your car in the shade or a garage to minimize prolonged exposure to heat. In extreme cold weather, which can quickly drain your car battery, keep the battery fully charged, but not over-charged. And, never attempt to charge a battery that is colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so can cause a violent explosion.
If your car does need a new battery, the experts at Batteries Plus can recommend the right battery for your car, truck, luxury or import automobile and install it on most makes/models. Installations can be done while you wait -- usually in 20 minutes or less -- without an appointment. The store also offers a full line of automotive accessories like jumper cables, chargers, anti-corrosion rings and spray, hold-downs, cable end replacements, and more to equip customers to handle any battery problems caused by excessive heat or the cold.
For more information about the Batteries Plus Free Car/Truck Battery Testing program, or to learn about franchise opportunities, please visit http://www.batteriesplus.com.
About Batteries Plus
Batteries Plus is the nation's largest and fastest growing battery retailer, selling more than 50 million batteries per year. Batteries Plus, designated by Inc. Magazine as the nation's fastest growing specialty retailer and ranked as the #1 Battery Franchise by both Entrepreneur Magazine and D&B AllBusiness.com, has over 440 locations in 45 states and Puerto Rico. With access to more than 40,000 types of batteries and accessories, Batteries Plus has the widest selection of batteries and battery-related products and offers unmatched service to consumers, businesses and government entities at the national and local levels. Batteries Plus stores also feature Tech Centers equipped to design, assemble, rebuild, and test custom battery packs. Batteries Plus continues its reign as the undisputed battery retailing leader in the expanding $24 billion dollar battery category, estimated to reach $33.6 billion by 2012. To learn more about our exciting franchise opportunities and joining the battery franchise leader please visit BatteriesPlus.com for more information.