Every car comes by using one, but some motorists become if this particular component seemingly maintenance free. What am I speaking about? Your car's battery. Technological advances have designed "maintenance free" batteries standard equipment on virtually every vehicle produced today. On the other hand, the term "maintenance free" can be a misnomer, one that can leave you stranded should you not perform proper and usual maintenance. Battery maintenance isn't difficult to perform, so let's take a look at what you can do to keep your van running. Before discussing battery maintenance, please make sure that your battery is, the truth is, the sealed type. If it isn't really, then the "maintenance free" label certainly would not apply and you simply must add water on a frequent basis. Unsealed batteries are easy to spot as they own small vent caps in addition to the battery which could be twisted open. You will need to periodically add distilled water to hold water levels; more so inside the summer months as water can evaporate quicker. Do not let your current battery run low or run out of water as the battery's cells is often ruined. If your battery is with the sealed variety, then the "maintenance free" label remains only partially true since the term only extends back not needing to add water to your cells as you would using an unsealed battery. With any sort of car battery - made or unsealed - you have to do the following to keep it working properly: 1. Clean up the cables. Disconnect the cables from your battery and clean them with a wire brush which has been doused in a natural mixture [the mixture combines one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water]. Use this same mixture to clean off the the surface of the battery; use a small plus clean paint brush to apply the solution where needed. 2. Lubricate the content. A small dab with petroleum jelly on each post may help keep your cables clean and clear of corrosion longer. In addition, the jelly will make it easier that you can slip the cables to come back onto the battery. 3. Check out connections. Besides the connection between the cable and the articles or blog posts, make sure that your battery hold down bar is securely into position. Not all cars have or desire a battery hold down standard, but if yours includes come so equipped, you simply must put it back within its proper place. That is certainly it! Car battery maintenance is an easy task and one that really should be performed on an once-a-year basis. If you keep your battery properly maintained, you can extend its life and help reduce the chance that an individual's battery will fail you will at an inopportune occasion. Yes, the "maintenance free" tag is incorrect, so do not be lulled into forgetting to accomplish something that should for no reason be overlooked. Ever been in a scenario where you are in the heart of nowhere, you are tired and hungry and when you find yourself about to leave your truck would not start? This can be indeed a typical case. A dead or weak battery often is the reason for such bad situation. If it happened to you a couple of times, the situation is crying out for your requirements. Possibly, you will need to acquire a new battery car charger so you simply won't end up in such difficult position again.