Top Tips for Car Battery Maintenance - Part II

In the earlier post, we covered some tips to keep our car's electrical system function properly. Here are few more maintenance tips for Your Car's battery...

Tips No. 7 - Keep a check on when Service is needed – Different cars come with maintenance free battery. Regular check is needed for such automobile batteries. There is a light in maintenance free batteries that goes black when service is required.

Tip No. 8 – For Conventional Car Battery - These batteries come with a plastic cover that can be easily removed to check the water inside. It is important that the water inside the battery reaches the filler necks.

Tip No. 9 – Be Careful While Adding Water – Incase there is less water inside the battery, you may also add distilled water. I guess I should warn you at this moment. You might just harm yourself if you don't be careful. The battery acid that is highly corrosive might harm your clothes.

Tip No. 10 – During Battery Check – It is important to make sure that you do not keep any kind of open flames near the car battery. Automobile battery contains chemicals that are combustible and hence can be dangerous.

Tip No. 11 – Over Charging Should Be Avoided – This is common and known to everybody that a dead battery can be charged using a battery charger. Improper charging of a battery is something that should be avoided. It might also lead to damage of battery's as well as car's parts & components.

These were some of the battery's maintenance tips that are to be followed in order to keep your car's battery in best condition. The smooth functioning of automobile battery helps you have a tension free long drive. You can try these car parts maintenance (D-I-Y) tips yourself. Have a Happy & Safe Driving!!

Top Tips for Car Battery Maintenance Part - I

If automobile battery is something that troubles you often, you need to keep a check on this auto part. It's easy and simple. Car Battery maintenance is essential as this automotive part plays a major role in the smooth functioning of any vehicle. As I always say, a little care and basic knowledge is what is required. Just have a fair idea of the automobile electrical system to keep the car's battery in the best shape without any hassles. Follow the following car maintenance tips to keep you car's battery running smoothly.

Tips No. 1 – Battery Needs Change - This is common and known to almost all the car owners. Your car's battery needs to be changed after a duration of four years. Don't forget to do that.

Tips No. 2 – Monthly check of the battery's load test helps you avoid any hassle. Take your car's battery to your auto mechanic and can load test it. Make sure your car's battery is able to pass the test. Make sure that it is capable of sufficient charge even at below freezing temperatures.

Tips No. 3 – Just wipe off the battery terminals of any crust. An easy way to do so is to use some baking soda and water. Use a wire brush to clean the crust using this solution.

Tips No. 4 – Always keep the battery cables tightly tied. Make sure the cables are so tight that they do not move.

Tips No. 5 – Keep the battery safe in a tray. Also ensure that battery remains properly in the battery tray so that no damage is caused to the hood.

Tips No. 6 – Excess of cold is not a good condition for the car batteries. Therefore, look for a solution to it. The best way is to opt for an engine or battery heater. This keeps the car's battery function smoothly. The heater will help in easily starting the battery and would also minimize the power consumed.

Stay tuned for few more tips on battery maintenance in the next post.....

Top Tips For Spark Plug Repair

In the previous post, we covered the problems with the automotive spark plugs. Now that you know these problems and what causes them, it would be great if you also know how to repair your car's spark plugs. Probably, you would be able to save some money on auto repair.

Spark Plugs form a part of the automobile ignition system, hence we would also have a glance on D-I-Y tips for repairing of ignition of the vehicle. Follow these auto parts repair instructions coming weekend, if you have been successful in diagnosing spark plug problems.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Tips

• The first tip always for any auto part repair is to go through the carmaker's manual. Read it carefully to avoid any kind of confusion at the time of repair. Every manufacturer specifies the time for changing of the car's spark plugs. If its time, do not delay in replacing the auto part.
• It is essential to ensure that the other auto parts connected or related in the functioning of spark plugs are in proper condition. If the ignition wires have burned, they need to be changed too.
• For checking the wires – Have a look at the the ignition system at night. Its easier to notice the shorting of wires at that time.
• Try checking the spark plug wires by pulling each and every wire manually. First switch off your engine and let it cool for some time, else you might harm yourself. Once you pull out one wire, check it for burns, cracks or any kind of discoloration. If found O.K. fix the wire back into its position. Follow the same step to check all the wires. Any damaged wire should be immediately replaced.
• Remember : Do not pull out all the wires at the same time, rather pull them one by one. Otherwise, you might get confused while fixing them in right terminals, causing more auto repair loss.
• Change the Spark Plugs – the first step is to clean the debris accumulated on the well of this auto part. Avoid any dirt or dust to fall into the combustion chamber. You may also blow air into the well or brush off the debris so as to clean it properly.
• Now remove the spark plug wire. The next step follows is to keep the plug socket over the plug & then unscrew it.
• Its time to pick up the new plug. Now just start threading it. Only thing that you need to remember is to not cross- thread it.
• Now take the plug & socket and them try lowering it into the plug well. Then screw the plug with a socket extension.
• Once you get the feel that the thread have matched, you need to use a ratchet for tightening the plug in its place.

That's it friends, you have successfully replaced your car's spark plug.

Tools Required During Spark Plug Change Procedure

• A Half-inch Ratchet Drive
• A Spark-plug Socket with Rubber Retainer
• A Flexible Drive Coupling
• Socket Extensions
• Needle Nose Pliers

Other Things

• Small Stepladder
• A Cloth Shield
• A Protective Eyewear
• A Narrow Paint Brush

Diagnosing Spark Plug Problems

When we are talking about automotive electrical system, how can we miss on the spark plugs. Spark Plugs, as the Wikipedia defines, are electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed aerosol gasoline by means of an electric spark. Often, a little problem with the spark plug is the reason behind the breakdown of the vehicle in the middle of road.

A little maintenance and few D-I-Y tips will help you keep these auto parts in place. But before that for repair, you need to know the common problems behind spark plugs. Lets together find out the common spark plug problems.

Problems With Your Spark Plug

• There are times, when your car's engine cranks, isn't it? But then, nothing happen after, i.e. It doesn't start after that. This is possible because of the spark plug.


• In some cases, the engine might run. After that, it often misfires. Check for any worn out spark plug. In such a case, it is possible that these auto parts have either fouled or probably the reason is bad spark plug wires.


• High or Low Voltage also indicate problem. On an oscilloscope, if you observe the firing pattern of each cylinder, you might be able to diagnose the problems yourself. If the firing voltage is noticed to be normal, it means there is excessive resistance in a plug wire. Other possibilities can be loose plug wire, badly worn or too wide spark plug.


• In case you notice that there is a lower voltage in firing pattern, then it indicates, a damaged or shortened plug wire.


• Fouling is something that should be avoided. One important cause of it is deposits of oil or fuel upon the plug electrodes.

Reasons Why You Need To Change the Spark Plugs

There are a number of factors that can be the cause for replacement of spark plugs. Some of them are:

Fouling – Incase you notice that there is a single fouled spark plug, you need to be cautious and get it replaced soon. Otherwise, you might have to suffer the loss of 25% of output of four cylinder engines.

For Preventive Maintenance – This is always suggested as to avoid any major auto repair.

Due to Worn Out Electrodes – That increases the distance between the electrodes and finally increases the firing voltage.

Tips for Automotive Electrical System Maintenance

Now that all of us know the common problems related to electrical system, it should be almost mandatory for us to know few ways to keep these problems at bay. A little care towards the auto part and careful driving will definitely help. And few tips are to be followed that will take care of the electrical system of your vehicle. Automobile battery forms an important part of your electrical system. Read on to know what are these Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tips for its maintenance.

Things to Remember

Keep The Battery Clean – We often make this mistake. Our car's battery is mostly clogged. Try not to do this. Ensure that the vehicle's battery is not clogged.

Battery Connection Also Need Care – Its not just the battery, but also the connections that are important. Keep them clean too, inorder to avoid ovetaxing of your starter.

Ensure that Proper Ventilation Takes Place – Thats why, i say cleaning of battery is important. If clogged, the dangerous and explosive gases will not be able to find a way out of car's battery.

Always Buy Branded Battery – In case you are replacing your car's battery, remember to always buy a branded one or the one recommended by the carmaker.

Also Keep the Same CCA Rating – Few of us pay attention to it or are even aware of it. But, CCA rating that is cold cranking amps is important for any automobile battery. Make sure you buy a battery that has the same or higher CCA rating.

Group Size To Be Checked – While buying the battery, ensure that the battery's group size is compatible to fit your battery tray, battery cables and cable connections.

Never Jump Start Your Car Using Another Car – I suggest not to do so, as it might damage the vehicle's voltage system. If the other vehicle's battery's volt is more than you vehicle's, then it can cause damage to your vehicle. Overvoltage is a common problem in an electrical system. Always use, other vehicle's battery power alone for starting your vehicle.

No Heavy Load On The Battery - When you start you vehicle, make sure you do not put heavy load on the battery. Instead of starting your vehicle with A/C and music system on, make it a habit to turn off them. This eases the load on the battery.

Regular Checks of Car's Electrical System – Obviously, regular care increases the lifeline. Follow this tip to make sure that your car's electrical system gives hassle free performance all its life.

Most Common Problems With Automobile Electrical System

An integrated part of any vehicle, the automobile electrical system has definitely made driving a lot more easier over the decades. Frequent innovations in electrical system has helped us in a comfortable and easy drive. But friends, no coin comes with a single side. If there are advantages, there are problems or hassles that accompany them. Very often, you face problems while starting up your car and notice other problems with the electrical system. Are you aware of the problems that actually affect your electrical system. Some of the hassles that you face with your vehicle's electrical system are:

Common Automobile Electrical System Problems Are :

Car's Battery Is Dead - This is the most common problem. Your car's battery might be dead, thus inviting troubles for your vehicle.

No Power Stored in the Battery – This is possible that your car's battery does not have ample power so that it can spin the engine.

Alternator is Not Working – At times, a damaged alternator might be the cause for the hassle. Such an alternator will not charge the battery.

Problem with Starter or Solenoid – These bad auto parts will affect the functioning of a braking system.

Battery Cables Might Be The Problem – A loose cable might be the root of the problem.

Electrical Fuses – If there are any damaged electrical fuse or loose wire, it might affect the smooth functioning of electrical system.

Cracks In Alternator Belt – Tension as well as crack in the alternator belt causes trouble.

Ignition System Has Problems – Thats common in breakdown of a vehicle. Any auto part of automobile ignition system like ignition switch, magento, coil wire, etc might have caused the problem.

Loose Spark Plugs – These electrical devices have loosened or are not properly implanted into internal combustion engine.

These are some of the common problems that you face with the electrical system. In our next post, we will discuss, the solution of these problems. Till then, Happy & Safe Driving.