Time: 15-30min

Difficulty: easy

Cost: $10-20

Interval: check battery condition at every oil change, service as required.

Servicing the Battery

Poor battery connections can be a show-stopper. It's never convenient when you're vehicle won't start, and a lot of money can be wasted on tow bills and diagnostics for what started as a very simple problem requiring an inexpensive service.

As current flows and temperatures change, the battery sweats hydrogen gas, which reacts with the oxygen and water in the air to cause corrosion. As resistance increases, the battery, starter, and alternator bear the strain and may ultimately fail.

INTERVAL

It's a good idea to inspect the battery every oil change, and service as needed. If they still look pretty good, spray the connections with some battery cleaner, then treat them with battery protection spray. If there's excessive build up, you may want to disconnect the terminals and scrape them clean before reconnecting and treating.

METHOD

The battery can be cleaned in place, or removed. The basic idea is to neutralize the acid buildup and protect against future corrosion. Battery connections need to be CLEAN, BRIGHT, and TIGHT to optimize current flow.