How to take care of your car battery

MOTORING

A battery is a car's voltage reservoir that needs to be given maximum attention something that motorists at times ignore, this in the end destroys their car batteries.

Mistakes motorist make with their car batteries
Experts say car batteries come in different types and sizes and these work in different sizes and types of cars. However, some motorists get a battery that is meant for a small car and put it in a big car and vice versa. This makes the battery not last long. Also, avoid putting a petro battery into a diesel car.

Petro batteries work in petro cars and diesel batteries work in diesel cars."Know the battery size and type that works best in your car and avoid the inconvenience of having to buy a car battery every now and then, "advices Umar Kasujja a mechanic at Oxford auto Centre in Nalukolongo.

Proper car battery use
Ensure battery clamps and terminals are secured firmly. Kasujja notes that it is important that the battery is secured in the car with its clamps and terminals firmly attached. Once they are loose, the clamps might move from negative and go to positive and this could ignite a car fire.

Ensure that battery electrolyte is at normal level

Kasujja notes that for a battery to function well, battery electrolyte should be at its normal level. It should be diluted acid and not concentrated so that the chemical reaction can take place well. "Ensure that as you make it dilute, you don't go beyond the normal level of the electrolyte, "he adds.

Be careful when jumpstarting
Moses Kayiira a mechanic at Bakayiira garage in Makindye notes that jumpstarting is usually done when a car fails to start. This means the battery is low and doesn't charge well. However, some people make mistakes when jumpstarting.

They connect positive to negative which is very dangerous. It can create a spark and in the long run can damage the car battery.
"Connect negative to negative and positive to positive to avoid issues that could arise from making mistakes while jumpstarting," Kayiira advices.

"In case you are not going to use the battery for weeks or a month and above, it's advisable to disconnect the negative terminal so it can retain the power. And incase you are to take six months and above without using the car, it's important that you remove the battery, power the electrolyte because leaving it their isn't good for the battery. It becomes corrosive and it damages the battery cells," he explains.

Kayiira reveals that most times car batteries are ignored during car servicing. That is bad. He encourages motorists to ensure that their car batteries are checked during car servicing, to ensure they are in good working condition.