How to Check Your Car Battery

A battery, like other parts of your vehicle, is subject to wear and tear and should be checked regularly. In particular, pay attention to the battery’s trouble spots, shown here. A battery that’s kept clean lasts longer than a cruddy one.

The parts of the battery to check.

Before you work on your battery, be sure to read all the safety measures involved. Here’s a rundown:

• Never work on a battery with a lit cigarette in your mouth. Batteries are filled with sulfuric acid that generates hydrogen gas. If you get acid deposits on your skin or clothes, wash them off with water immediately.
• Disconnect the battery whenever you work on it, but be sure to shut the engine off first! On most modern vehicles, computers control functions of the engine, fuel and ignition systems,automatic transmissions, and other stuff. Be extremely careful not to inadvertently send a shot of unwanted voltage into one of the computers and destroy it.
• Always remove the negative cable from the battery if you plan to work on wiring under the hood. This prevents you from possibly damaging electrical components or receiving a shock.
• When removing and replacing both battery cables, always remove the negative cable first and replace it last. If you attempt to remove the positive clamp first and your wrench slips and touches something metal, your wrench can fuse to the part like an arc welder.
• Tie the cables back while you work on the battery. Don’t allow anything made of metal to connect the terminal posts; this can damage the battery. If the cables are connected to the posts when something else interferes, you can destroy the onboard computers.

Don’t let all the cautions listed here turn you off the idea of checking your vehicle’s battery. It’s easy to check your battery. Just locate it and follow these steps:

1. Clean off powdery deposits on the positive and negative terminals.
   The deposits that form in lovely colors on the top of your terminals are made by battery acid. Before you clean it, remove the cables (negative first) from both terminals by undoing the nut on each cable clamp and wiggling the cable until the clamp comes off the terminal post.
   To brush the deposits off the terminal posts and cable clamps, sprinkle some baking soda onto each terminal, dip an old toothbrush or disposable brush in water, and scrub the deposits away.
   

   You can use a battery terminal brush (inside the cap) and clamp cleaner.
   If your cables and clamps won’t clean up completely with baking soda and water, rotate an inexpensive battery terminal brush on each terminal to shine it and ensure a good, solid electrical connection. You can also shine the insides of the cable clamps with the clamp cleaner that’s usually sold as one unit with the brush. A soapless steel wool pad may also do the job.
2. Dry everything with a clean, disposable, lint-free rag.
   Try to avoid getting the powdery stuff on your hands or clothes. If you do, wash it off with water right away.
3. Reconnect the terminals to the battery, replacing the positive cable first and the negative cable last.
   After the battery terminals are reconnected, coat the terminals with thick automotive grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosive deposits from forming again.
4. Examine the battery cables and clamps to see whether they’re frayed or corroded.
   If the damage looks extensive, the cables and clamps may need to be replaced; otherwise, the battery may short-circuit, which could damage onboard computers. Have a professional check it out.
   If you’ve been having trouble starting your engine, if your headlights seem dim, or if the battery is old, check to see whether the electrolyte in the battery is strong enough. If it’s weak, the battery may need to be recharged or replaced before it dies and leaves you stranded.
5. Check the battery case and the terminals.
   If you see major cracks in the battery case or obvious terminal damage, replace the battery regardless of its electrical performance.

Car Battery Life

Normal life of a car battery.

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, "normal" is determined by a number of factors that exist in theory but rarely come to pass. For instance, a battery has an average normal lifespan of four years under normal conditions. "Normal" in this case means the battery goes through full charge cycles, isn't subjected to extreme temperatures, is attached to a reliable and consistent charging system and isn't providing power for a ton of accessories. See, normal just isn't normal. In the real world, temperature extremes, vibration, short trips down the street and an ever-increasing array of MP3 players, GPS receivers and other devices take a toll on the battery.

If you look at a typical lead-acid maintenance-free car battery, it's easy to make sense of why these factors affect normal battery life. Inside the plastic box are plates of materials like lead and lead dioxide. The plates are suspended in a mix of water and sulfuric acid, which forms an electrolytic solution. This solution allows electrons to flow between the plates -- that flow of electrons is essentially electricity.

A host of factors can disturb this chemical reaction. Vibrations from rough travel or a poorly-secured battery can shake loose or damage the plates. Extreme heat speeds up the chemical reaction, shortening battery life, while extreme cold can sometimes prolong battery life by slowing down the reaction. This is why some batteries are covered by an insulating sleeve to keep extreme temperatures in check.

Driving style can affect the reaction, too. Starting the car takes a huge jolt of electricity, so the charging system has to step in to replenish the battery. If you have a short commute or take lots of brief trips, the battery never gets fully charged. This constant state of undercharge results in acid stratification. Inside the battery, the electrolytic solution goes from homogenous -- or the same all the way through -- to a rough vertical split. The upper half of the solution is a light acid, while the bottom is a heavy acid. The light acid layer will begin to corrode the plates, and the heavy acid solution will start to compensate for the car's electrical needs by working harder than it's designed to work. The result is a shorter battery life, even though the battery shows up as working on routine tests.

Bosch and GP Battery

New car battery for your car.

Price:Starting from RM175. 

Warranty: Manufacturer's Warranty for the battery (Bosch and GP) regardless it is maintenance free or wet battery is 6 months for diesel/commercial vehicles/taxis and 12 months for petrol passenger vehicles. Warranty are from respective battery company, not from me. So rest assured that it is all NEW and Original Warranty.
Dealing method:COD only. Weekdays Daytime (Sunway Pyramid) and at SS2,Petaling Jaya (evening or night). Weekends at SS2, Petaling Jaya or nearby. Certain time only

Location of seller: Petaling Jaya,SS2


Here, You have a choice to Choose which brand to suit you budget!

PRICE:
GP - Wet Battery
NS40Z/L = RM 175
NS60/L = RM 190
NS70/L = RM 250
N70Z/L = RM 290
DIN 55 = RM 260
DIN66 = RM 285
55D23R/L = RM 260

GP - ATLAS MF (MAINTENANCE FREE)
NS40Z/L = RM 185
NS60/L = RM 205
NS70/L = RM 265
N70Z/L = RM 305
DIN 55 = RM 275
DIN66 = RM 290 
55D23R/L = RM 275

PRICE:
BOSCH - Wet Battery
NS40Z/L = RM 185
NS60A/L = RM 200
NS70/L = RM 265
N70Z/L = RM 310
DIN 55 = RM 275
DIN66 = RM 295

BOSCH S3 - (MAINTENANCE FREE)

NS40Z/L = RM 200
NS60/NS60L = RM 215
NS70/NS70L = RM 275
N70Z/L = RM 320
DIN55/DIN55R = RM 290
DIN66 = RM 305

Price quoted remain unchanged 1 Jan 2010
Price have Increase The Year 2010.

How to Recharge a Dead Battery.

This is how..

A car’s batteries were designed to last a minimum of five years. If your car’s battery lasted longer than that, then it only means you’re taking good care of your car. There are a number of factors which could affect the battery’s life. Some of the main causes may be:

1. Poor maintenance

2. Faulty car parts which demand more from the battery

3. The deterioration of battery cables and posts which could lead to battery damage

4. The use of additional parts that makes use of the electricity generated by the battery

5. Leaving the car running idly for long periods of time

6. Severe cold

7. Bad habits such as leaving the radio or the lights on unnecessarily

If your battery lasted shorter than five years, some of the reason above may have affected the lifespan of your vehicle. A dead battery has no hopes of being used again while a battery without enough power to start the engine is another thing. If your battery falls under the latter, there is still hope that you can resurrect your battery. If you’re battery is as dead as the Sahara dessert, you should take the time to replace your battery with a new one. Also, check the battery tray. Here’s a good replacement battery tray for you.

To determine if your battery still has some hope to be used again, simply recharge it through normal vehicle operation. If you find yourself having to jump the battery again and again, it only means you have to buy a new battery. You can do so by looking for a replacement battery.

Visit our trusted The Parts Bin store and search your car’s model.

Here are some steps to help you in jumpstarting your car’s battery. A second fully-functioning vehicle is needed to make this procedure a successful one, along with a set of jumper cables. Always remember that there is a danger in doing this procedure so extreme caution must be taken:

1. Before charging the car, open the hood and inspect the battery for any signs of damage.

2. Check all the cables attached to the battery are secure and free of any signs of corrosion. If there are any loose cables tighten them. If your battery cables show signs of corrosion, loosen the clamps and clean the cables with a stiff-bristled brush.

3. Position the vehicle to be jumpstarted next to the second vehicle. Make sure the cables are close enough to connect the two vehicles together.

4. Shut off the vehicle being used to jumpstart your battery.

5. Open the hoods of the two vehicles.

6. Identify which are the positive and negative terminals on each battery.

7. One end of the red jumper cable should be attached to a positive terminal of one car while the other end should also be attached to the positive terminal of the other car.

8. Take the one end of the black jumper cable and attach it to the battery’s negative terminal. The other end of the lack jumper cable should be attached to the negative terminal of the other car’s battery. At this point, sparks will emit from the battery but fear not because this is normal.

9. Turn the engine of the charger vehicle and rev it.

10. After revving the charger vehicle for a few minutes, start the car that’s being charged. If the engine would not start, adjust the cables and make sure they are attached firmly.

11. Once the car being charged starts, it should be kept running for at least 20 to 30 minutes for the alternator to have enough time to recharge the battery.

12. After charging the failed battery for at least 20 to 30 minutes, turn off the engine.

13. Remove the jumper cables in reverse order from which you first attached them.

14. Remove the black jumper from the negative terminal of the charger vehicle.

15. Remove the black charger from the battery that was charged.

16. Remove the red jumper cable from the positive terminal on the charger vehicle.

17. Remove the other end of the red jumper cable from the positive terminal of the battery that was charged.

18. Return all cables to their designated places and organize the jumper cables used.

The process itself is tedious and extreme caution must be used to handle the operation. If you have any protective gear such as gloves and glasses, it is highly recommended that you use them. Of course, a jumpstarted battery does not last very long and the purchase of a car battery is advisable.

The Importance Of The Battery On Cars

Here's my thought about battery car.

A good car battery is needed to start a car. Anyway, a strong car battery is an important item of the car itself. A good car battery can cost up to RM150.

When purchasing a battery, opt for the 12 volt type. It’s stronger, more powerful and should last longer. It also gives less problems.

In case you are unaware, a new battery is guaranteed for 1 year.

That means, if the battery gets spoilt within 1 year, the shopkeeper will replace you with a new battery. So, do keep your “Guarantee” card in a safe place. Who knows, you might need it one fine day.

There are many types of batteries available in the market. It’s better to opt for a 12 volt battery as I mentioned earlier.

How does one look after a battery? Actually, newer types of battery need no water at all. It is called “Water Free” battery.

Unlike the older types, no maintenance is required. In the later type of battery, it is necessary to look at the level of battery water inside it.

The Upper and Lower levels indicate the amount of water in the battery.

Do not allow the water to go below the lower level. This will eventually spoil the battery itself.

Some may like to learn what liquid should one use to fill up a battery.

Use battery water!

Battery water is obtainable from most spare parts shops around. It costs approximately RM1.50 – RM2.00.

Battery water is actually distilled water. Distilled water, it is believed, makes the battery lasts longer.

Some stubborn drivers do not seem to subscribe to this fallacy, they say. Permit me to relate you an interesting tale. A school teacher once told us, he fills his car battery with pipe water. And he has no problems with it.

How do you know when your battery system is becoming weak? My late father advised me a few things. Amongst them are:

1) The horn becomes weak. It becomes softer.

2) Starting a car becomes slightly more difficult.

3) The front lights appears to be dimmer (less bright)

Well, these are some of the signs indicating to you it’s about time to think of getting a new battery.

What do you actually do if one day, you find you cannot start your car? As a good driver, you actually should know a few basic things. Some good tips are:

1) You can “jump-start” your car. For this you need another (donor) car to supply the source of power.

2) “Push” start your car. Get a few friends or passersby to help.

The best solution would ideally be to get a new battery.

Final last 2 things to advise you regarding batteries.

1) They say automatic cars need a good strong battery to start. So beware, make sure your car battery remains in an excellent condition always.

2) Mechanic friends advise, to keep a battery last longer, learn this trick! Always ensure that you close your radio, turn off all the lights and so forth, rev your engine a few minutes before finally switching off the ignition key.

Believe me, they say it keeps the battery lasting longer! True or fallacy? Try it out yourself.