Car Battery Tips For Every Owner
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen]Ron Haugen
The car battery is one of the essential components of a car most drivers take for granted. Every time you turn the ignition, you expect that the battery will work and help you start your car. Little to no thought is put into checking or maintaining the battery until there is a problem. Luckily any good maintenance shop will handle checking and maintaining your battery, but there are some things you can look out for. This will help to make sure you do not get stranded somewhere with a dead battery.
First, here is a little bit of information about the battery itself. The average car battery is a 12 volt, lead-acid battery. It works off of the very simple principle of converting chemicals into electricity. The chemical in question is a electrolyte in an ionic bath. The chemical is split into six cells which use plates to transfer two volts of power each. This power is then transferred through connective wires to any parts of the car which rely on it for power. Generally, the battery is encased in a plastic mold to protect you from any danger of electric shock when handling it. This also acts as a barrier to collect battery acid if a problem should occur.
The reason you do not have to replace your car battery like you do in a child's toy is because it recharges itself. By maintaining a properly working alternator and battery, you can go for a long time without having to replace the battery. Any problems you have with electrical power could either be caused from a problem with the battery itself, or with the system involved in recharging it. The quick fix is a jump start. You can move on with diagnosing your problem from there. If a jump start gets you where you need to go without any electrical; issues, your problem is with the battery, not your alternator. It is recommended that any time you notice a problem with the electrical system you take it in right away for a diagnosis.
For those with a standard car battery, here are some tips to extend it's life. Checking the water level is a very easy way to make sure your battery is operating properly. It should be checked every few months and should come up just to the bottom of the refill hole. When refilling, make sure you only use distilled water. This protects from corrosion. Make sure you do not overfill the battery. No matter what kind of battery you have, you should clean the connections periodically with a wire brush to maintain a good flow. Make sure you are gentle with the wires when disconnecting as you may shear the wire. Make sure the connector is secure, but not overtightened. Coating the connector with high temperature grease will help reduce corrosion and rust.
Remember that proper maintenance of your car battery should only serve as peace of mind. Nothing should replace bringing your car in to a trained professional to look at periodically. Full inspections will look over not only the battery, but the entire electrical system for any problems. These tips should only be used to give you a more secure feeling when you are far from home, or even at the store.
If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen http://EzineArticles.com/?Car-Battery-Tips-For-Every-Owner&id=3098575
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Using Coolant to Keep Your Engine Cool
Using Coolant to Keep Your Engine Cool
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen]Ron Haugen
Coolant is one of the many different fluids an engine relies on for proper performance. Part of any routine maintenance should be to have this fluid checked. Maintaining the proper levels will enable your engine to run properly and avoid major repair costs in the future. The price of coolant and flushing your system is nothing compared to what you will face with an overheated engine. It is important that you not only not what the fluid does, but what you need to do to help your remain healthy.
Whether in the summer or winter, your engine is operating under extreme temperatures. Coolant is the fluid which helps to regulate the heat of the engine. This happens by the fluid absorbing the heat and dissipating it in one of two different ways. The radiator is the most common way to get rid of the excess heat from your engine. This method is more common in the summer time as in the winter the excess heat will be used in order to warm the passenger compartment. Cool air from outside will absorb the heat from the fluid and transfer it to the air in the passenger compartment.
Checking your coolant level is very easy to do. All you have to do is locate the refill container in your engine. This is usually a transparent plastic container. If you have trouble finding it, consult either your mechanic or your owner's manual. When judging the right amount of coolant to have in your car, keep in mind the temperature of the engine. If the engine is hot, the coolant will take up more space. So, if you check the level when the engine is hot, it should be at, or just below the "max" line. If the engine is cool, it should be at or just above the "minimum", or "fill" line. The exact terminology used will depend on your car.
Many people do not have their coolant system flushed and instead opt to add coolant as needed. This is a mistake because coolant picks up deposits over time. It will begin to break down and not work properly. Not only will it not cool your engine properly, it will not inhibit rust and corrosion. One of the main reasons why every mechanic will tell you not to use plain water is because coolant is far superior in being able to cool the engine and because of it's rust inhibitors. Flushing out your system will get rid of any old coolant and allow you to start fresh with pristine coolant offering maximum protection.
A very common mistake is to ignore coolant during the winter. Remember, being cold outside will not prevent your engine from overheating. The engine is in an enclosed area which traps heat. If there is not a proper cooling system in place, you can very easily overheat your engine and crack your block. Simple maintenance from your mechanic will help to keep your engine working properly in all seasons.
If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Coolant-to-Keep-Your-Engine-Cool&id=3221339
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen]Ron Haugen
Coolant is one of the many different fluids an engine relies on for proper performance. Part of any routine maintenance should be to have this fluid checked. Maintaining the proper levels will enable your engine to run properly and avoid major repair costs in the future. The price of coolant and flushing your system is nothing compared to what you will face with an overheated engine. It is important that you not only not what the fluid does, but what you need to do to help your remain healthy.
Whether in the summer or winter, your engine is operating under extreme temperatures. Coolant is the fluid which helps to regulate the heat of the engine. This happens by the fluid absorbing the heat and dissipating it in one of two different ways. The radiator is the most common way to get rid of the excess heat from your engine. This method is more common in the summer time as in the winter the excess heat will be used in order to warm the passenger compartment. Cool air from outside will absorb the heat from the fluid and transfer it to the air in the passenger compartment.
Checking your coolant level is very easy to do. All you have to do is locate the refill container in your engine. This is usually a transparent plastic container. If you have trouble finding it, consult either your mechanic or your owner's manual. When judging the right amount of coolant to have in your car, keep in mind the temperature of the engine. If the engine is hot, the coolant will take up more space. So, if you check the level when the engine is hot, it should be at, or just below the "max" line. If the engine is cool, it should be at or just above the "minimum", or "fill" line. The exact terminology used will depend on your car.
Many people do not have their coolant system flushed and instead opt to add coolant as needed. This is a mistake because coolant picks up deposits over time. It will begin to break down and not work properly. Not only will it not cool your engine properly, it will not inhibit rust and corrosion. One of the main reasons why every mechanic will tell you not to use plain water is because coolant is far superior in being able to cool the engine and because of it's rust inhibitors. Flushing out your system will get rid of any old coolant and allow you to start fresh with pristine coolant offering maximum protection.
A very common mistake is to ignore coolant during the winter. Remember, being cold outside will not prevent your engine from overheating. The engine is in an enclosed area which traps heat. If there is not a proper cooling system in place, you can very easily overheat your engine and crack your block. Simple maintenance from your mechanic will help to keep your engine working properly in all seasons.
If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Coolant-to-Keep-Your-Engine-Cool&id=3221339
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