ABOUT BATTERIES

Does it hurt my car battery if I set it on concrete?

No, the type of plastic (polypropylene) used in battery cases today is a great electrical insulator, therefore cement causes no electrical discharge effect to the battery.

How do I maintain my battery?

Note: Most automotive and commercial starting and Marine/RV batteries are considered Maintenance-Free products under normal operating conditions. However, in the event of an extreme overheat/overcharge situation, the batteries may need to be checked for water loss.

We recommend the following:

1. How to check the water level and add water:

If your battery has removable vent caps then they can be pried off with a flat-head screwdriver. Once removed, you will see individual vent wells. Look down into each individual cell to make sure that the water is covering the lead plates and is at the proper level. Add water to any cells that are low on water. Always use distilled water that is available from a supermarket to fill the battery in order to prevent chemicals from contaminating the battery.

2. How to determine the proper water level:

Ideally, the water level should be no higher than just below or to the bottom of the tubes (in a 12-volt battery there are 6 tubes) that go down into the battery. To avoid damage to the battery, make sure the fluid level never drops below the tops of the lead plates in each of the cells. Also, avoid adding too much water, which may result in acid overflow and damage around the battery.

NOTE: Battery terminals should be cleaned periodically with a mixture of baking soda and water and wire brush if necessary. The terminals should be rinsed with clean water and then can be coated with a commercially available sealant or high temperature grease.

What are the most common causes of premature battery failures?

Deep discharges (leaving your lights on)
Misapplication
Using an undersized battery
Loss of electrolyte due to under-hood heat or overcharging
Undercharging or loose alternator belt
Excessive vibration (due to loose hold down clamp)
Corrosion
Freezing (any fully-charged vehicle battery will not freeze until the temperature is -75 degrees F. Frozen batteries are not warrantable.)
Failure to charge a battery during a period of 6 months or more