Saturday, September 27, 2008

DIY - Clean Your Car's Battery

Your car's battery provides the initial spark to get your car up and running. Timely cleaning of the battery not only ensures its longer life but also saves you from out of the blue battery troubles.

This post will quickly explain how to go about a battery clean up operation.

Here's all that you'll need:
  • Rubber gloves and safety glasses
  • A wrench to remove the battery
  • Baking soda as the cleaning agent
  • A brush with stiff bristles
  • And water resistant grease
The clean up

1. Wear the safety gear, in this case the gloves and glasses. This is important because batteries have acid in them. The gloves and glasses will protect your hands and eyes just in case it spills over.

2. Remove the battery from the mount by loosening the cable clamps. At times the battery is less dirty so doesn't need to be taken out, at other times however, that's necessary. When you remove it, you can conduct the cleaning operation thoroughly.

3. Now brush the battery and clamps and remove all the dirt from the battery and the accumulated gunk at and around the clamps, terminals, battery posts, and brackets.

4. Once you're through with removing the dirt and residue, you need to make use of baking soda solution to clean up further. Make the solution by adding a half cup of baking soda to a cup and a half of water. Stir well till it dissolves. Pour it all over the battery, wait for 5-7 minuets before rinsing it with clean water.

5. Now wipe off the battery with a cloth/rag and let it dry. The cleanup operation is now almost complete.

6. Next, you need to mount the battery back in its place, make the connections and also apply waterproof grease to cover them.

That's about all. Lastly, don't forget to congratulate yourself for restoring the car's battery back to health.

It's not just through the batteries, but there are several simple yet effective ways you can keep you car in good health. See: Top 5 Tips - DIY Car Maintenance

0 comments: