| Quick Tip: Checking the Car Battery |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-204 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
It's not hard to check your car battery, but there are some things you need to know so you don't do more harm than good, says Ask DIY car-care expert Trisha Hessinger. First, check the electrolyte level. If the fluid level is low, add some distilled water. If your battery is maintenance free, its caps are most likely sealed and you shouldn't pry them open. Check the casing for any cracks or bulging. Clean the terminal ends on both the battery cables and the battery to get rid of any deposits. If a cable is badly eroded, replace it. Before you put the cable end on the battery terminal, cope the cable end with petroleum jelly. Once you clean the battery and check the cables, make sure all the connections are tight.
| 
