Friday, September 25, 2009

Car Battery Facts

A car battery is one of the components necessary to make a car turn on and function. The size and design of the battery needed for a vehicle depends upon the engine specifications for the vehicle. For example, a battery that fits on an U.S. made SUV will probably not work on a foreign compact car.


Types


There are two types of car batteries. An SLI battery powers the starter, lights and ignition. A traction battery is the power source for an electric vehicle.


Storage


A battery that must be stored should be fully charged and free of corrosion. Additionally, it must be checked and recharged periodically to prevent loss of power.


Recycling


Because most car batteries are lead acid based, recycling them is a must. In an effort to encourage recycling, a deposit is charged when purchasing a new battery. This charge is usually refunded when the old battery is returned to the store.


Maintenance


Battery posts must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent corrosion. To do this, you must take the battery cables off the battery and wipe the posts off with a clean towel.


Charging


Under normal working conditions, the battery is recharged automatically by the alternator. In the case of a malfunctioning alternator or severely drained battery, external battery chargers may be needed.

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