Car Batteries Revisited
Long-time readers of my columns will know that we’ve discussed car batteries before. But, there are a lot of people who are still uncertain regarding what this specific part does and why it can die seemingly unpredictably. In this article, I’ll explain how they perform their job, the factors that can cause them to fail, and how you can maintain the battery in your vehicle.
What Do They Do?
Your car has a charging system that is necessary to crank its engine. When you place your key in the ignition and turn it, it triggers a chain reaction. That chain reaction begins in the battery and results in a spark that ignites the blend of air and gas within your engine’s cylinders. The battery is basically a mini storage facility for energy that is used in order to create the electrical charge.
Despite what a lot of people think, car batteries are not required while you’re driving. In fact, it’s entirely possible for them to die even as you’re driving down the highway. The reason is because once it has delivered its electrical current and cranks the engine, your vehicle’s alternator steps in to produce the charge. Meanwhile, there’s a voltage regulator that sits under the hood and keeps the battery charged.
How Do They Fail?
Batteries fail primarily because they become unable to hold an electrical charge. The reason this happens is due to the chemical reaction that occurs while your vehicle is in operation. Inside the unit, there are plates that react to the acid and release a vapor from the plastic casing. Those vapors can eventually cause corrosion to collect on the posts. If enough corrosion collects, the electrical charge may not be able to travel through the connecting terminals properly. If the electrical charge cannot travel, it cannot crank the engine or ignite the blend of air and gas.
From your point of view, you turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens. Or, your engine seems to struggle while trying to turn. That’s the result of the interruption of the electrical charge that would normally travel from your battery.
How To Maintain Your Car Battery
So, what can a driver do in order to prevent their car battery from dying? It begins with periodic cleaning of the posts and terminals. There’s nothing you can do to prevent the chemical reaction from causing the vapors while lead to corrosion. However, you can make sure that the corrosion doesn’t build to the point that it is interrupting the flow of electricity.
You can clean car batteries easily with a post brush (sold at any automotive repair shop). It will have a wire brush that you can slip over the posts. When you turn the brush, it scrapes off the corrosion. Batteries were designed to last for several years. You can ensure their longevity by investing the time to clean them periodically.
Tags: Car Batteries, Car Maintenance, Car Maintenance, Cars