Today's Car Care Tip: My battery is dead! What Do I Do?
We have ALL experienced a dead battery, whether in the cold weather or not. Cold weather is the time most car batteries fail, but battery failure is not exclusive to the cold!A battery service and test is the best insurance you can buy to keep you form being stranded next winter!
THE PROBLEM
Extreme temperatures stress your car – especially the starting system. In the winter, when you have a cold engine, cold oil and a cold battery...well, it's a bad combination.
Weak batteries are caused by
- Corroded battery cables
- Lose alternator belt
- Leaving the lights on
- Age (average battery life is 4-5 years)
Test and inspect the battery every fall
- Clean battery terminals and cable ends
- Clean the battery case
- Watch the acid though - it can burn your hands, and ruin your car paint
To jump start, connect red to red/black to black OR + to + and - to -. BE CAREFUL! Connecting it wrong can give you a painful and unwanted shock!
Be careful if you decide to change your own battery – some cars will lose the computer programming – check with a good tech first. If you're uncertain about any part of your starting or charging system, the best insurance is to get it tested by a good technician.
Handy Car Care Tips and Suggestions
- Used Car Buyers’ Checklist – Don’t buy a used car without running through this! These are the questions every used car buyer should ask.
- Going Green with your Car – How to go green with your car and reduce your carbon footprint!
- Fuel Saving Tips – Here are some easy ways to increase your gas mileage at home!
- Report A Pothole in the Denver area – If you’re sick of hitting the same pothole everyday, use one of these numbers to report a pothole in your area!
Fluid Colors
These are what your vehicle’s fluids look like when they’re brand new and just added to your vehicle. If they’re black, smell burnt, or just past your manufacturer’s recommended service interval, getting these fluids changed can prevent big expenses down the road. Click here to see the fluid chart.
Vehicle Systems
These are diagrams of how all of the integral systems in your car work. From your air conditioning, to your brakes, to your engine, use these diagrams to see how everything works, and why certain repairs and preventative maintenance services are necessary, and can save you money in the long run. Click on any picture below to see a larger diagram!
