Taking care of your car's battery crucial to its life

Every car comes with one, but some motorists act as if this particular component is completely maintenance-free. It's your car's battery, of course.

The term "maintenance-free" is a misnomer, one that can leave you stranded if you don't perform proper and regular maintenance. Battery maintenance isn't difficult to do, so let's take a look at the following to tips to help keep your car's battery working properly:

Auto Service

• Performance Service Locator
• NASCAR Performance Network

• About the show
• TV Listings

1. Clean the cables. Disconnect the cables from the battery and clean them with a wire brush that has been doused in a homemade mixture: just combine one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water. Use this same mixture to clean off the top of the battery. Simply use a small and clean paint brush to apply the solution where needed.

2. Lubricate the posts. A small dab of petroleum jelly on each post will help keep your cables clean and free of corrosion longer. In addition, the jelly will make it easier for you to slip the cables back onto the battery.

3. Check connections. Besides the connection between the cable and the posts, make sure that the battery hold-down bar is securely in place. Not all cars have or need a battery hold-down bar, but if yours has come so equipped, you will need to put it back in its proper place.

That's it. Car battery maintenance is an easy task and one that should be performed on a regular basis. If you keep your battery properly maintained, you will extend its life and greatly reduce the chance that your battery will fail you at an inopportune time.

For more helpful car battery advice, visit www.exide.com.