If you want to keep your car safe and functional, you need to have the car battery inspected regularly. A car battery inspection ensures that your battery can hold the charge and start your car when you need it to. A simple inspection now may prevent an expensive car electrical repair bill. If you notice that the cables to your batteries are cracked or the terminals are corroded, the time has come for you to get your vehicle serviced by a mechanic.
Understanding Your Car Battery
Understanding the parts that make up your car battery is key to understanding what your mechanic will do during an effective inspection of your battery. Your battery is enclosed in a case. This case protects the battery from vibration and impact.
What Is Inside the Battery?
When you look on the top lid, you will see two terminals. One is positive, and one is negative. When looking inside the battery, you will find a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. You will also see positive and negative plates that are divided by a polyethylene separator. The plates are stacked into elements. There is a cast on strap connecting the elements to the terminal. This creates a solid electrical connection.
Leave the Inspection Work to Professionals
We do not advise you to open a battery case. We just wanted to give you an understanding of what is inside of it. This will help you understand what we are doing as we complete your car battery inspection. Leave the inspection work to professionals.
What Happens during an Automobile Battery Inspection?
An inspection of the battery only takes a few minutes. However, the peace of mind you will drive away with knowing that your battery is functioning well is priceless.
- We will examine the battery case. During this part of the check, we are looking for corrosion and will remove dust and debris. If we find cracks or leakage from the top of the battery case, we may recommend that you replace the battery.
- Next, we will look at the brackets. Again, we are looking for excessive corrosion. If found, it may show the battery needs to be replaced. If your battery is bouncing around as you drive, it will have a shorter life and could damage other parts of your vehicle.
- Now, we will review the battery terminals and posts and check if there is corrosion. If possible, our technicians will use a special cleaning solution to remove the corrosion as opposed to you needing to replace the battery.
- We will look for any loose cables and tighten them.
- We will inspect the fan belt to make sure it is tight. If your fan belt is loose, it can impede your battery’s ability to recharge. If the fan belt is damaged or cracked, we may recommend that you replace it.
Don’t Ignore Possible Battery Issues
Don’t ignore battery issues. Get your battery checked according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you don’t get your battery checked regularly, you will find yourself making an expensive car electrical repair or stranded at the worst time and in the worst place.