CarMax Provides Expert Advice on Maintaining Your Car Battery

RICHMOND, VA - Feb. 16, 2006: Having to replace a car battery can be a costly hassle. That's why CarMax, Inc. , the nation's largest retailer of used cars, suggests you know how to keep your car battery in top- notch condition.

"Unfortunately, the automotive battery is one of many highly abused, seldom maintained, but very important parts on the modern automobile," said Lane Fleming, ASE Master Technician for CarMax. "Usually no attention is paid to the battery unless it is suspected of causing a problem. The most common problem encountered with batteries is low voltage or low charge."

CarMax technicians offer a few do's and don'ts to help your auto battery maintain its peak performance and to avoid having a low charged battery:

  Do's
  * Make sure the battery is firmly secured to its 
mounting bracket. An unsecured battery that shifts 
around can damage itself, and possibly cause short 
circuits.

  * Visually check the condition of the terminals 
where the cables connect to the battery.  They 
should be tight and free of corrosion.  If corrosion 
is present, it is safest to get a qualified technician 
to clean the terminals.

  * In batteries other than those that are "maintenance 
free," check the fluid level, periodically. If the 
fluid is low, add only distilled water to top it off.  
If no fluid is detectable, you may want to replace the
battery rather than fill it.  Batteries in this condition 
will usually fail very soon.

  * When working around batteries, always be careful 
to wear the proper protective gear.  Full-face protection 
and heavy-duty, rubber gloves are recommended.

  * Batteries come in many different sizes.  When 
replacing a car battery, make sure you choose the right 
size battery for your vehicle.  When it comes to car 
batteries, bigger is not always better.

  Don'ts
  * If you suspect that a battery is frozen, 
do not charge it, as it may explode!  One visual 
sign that a battery has frozen is that the sides
are bowed out.  This condition is not repairable, 
and the battery will need to be replaced by a 
professional as soon as possible.

  * If you need to charge your battery yourself, 
don't use a high setting on the charger.  Charging 
a battery can produce noxious, flammable gases,
and the risk of a spark causing the battery to 
explode is greater when the battery is fast charged.  
Instead, switch the charger to a low charge setting.  
Most chargers have this feature but if not, have a
professional charge the battery.

  * Don't charge a dead battery with a car's 
alternator.   An alternator is not designed to 
function as a charger, and it may be damaged or 
have a shortened life as a result.