It doesn't matter if your car is old or new, because even though reliable, it may break down when you least expect. You may say that your car has never had problems. Well if this is the case then to keep it that way, now is the time to check out some of the problems, which may occur. Cars, no matter how old or new can have unforseen problems. It is only when we come to a decision that we have a 'lemon' that we do something about it. If you haven't checked your car over for a few months, then perhaps it is time to take a closer look. What do you see that needs to be inspected, and when will a service or repairs have to be done.
We are having one of the longest summers on record, even though we are well into autumn in Melbourne. The weather is fluctuating. With it, come periodical showers, and intermittent dry, hot days. Make no mistake, our cars are suffering.
CAR BATTERY
The excessive heat we are getting and overcharging of your battery are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. We all know that heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging the internal structure. And a malfunctioning component in the charging system; usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. Now that is a slow death for a car battery.
Your car battery must be able to hold enough charge to start your car on a cold morning and also run all your electrical accessories. It is important that the acid level, battery connections (they must be tight and free of corrosion) and the charging system are all checked at each service to ensure trouble free operation. Do not smoke or use naked flame near the battery, as hydrogen gas given off by the battery is explosive. Never tip your battery sideways as the corrosive acid will leak out and may burn your skin and clothing.
Now a site that deals with car batteries for all types of vehicles is exide.com.au where you can choose the right battery for your car with their easy fitment guide. The other site that has loads of information on motor vehicles for sale throughout Australia is OzFreeOnline.com where thousands of auto classifieds can be browsed and you may even want to sell your car online through their 'free' classified CAR pages.
We know and have most likely experienced, at one time or another, the whirring or click of the engine, only to find that we have an unexpected 'flat' battery. Admittedly, there are more road service calls in cold weather for dead batteries, but that is caused when the output is diminished because of sluggish electro-chemical action that gives the battery its power. The other fact is that colder temperatures increase the thickness of the engine oil, making the engine harder to turn over. These factors lead to harder starting.
You don't need to go through this and to overcome this problem mynrma.com.au
has so much advice online that you will want to refer to its pages over and over. OzFreeOnline.com is a favourite site because I am able to browse the thousands of motor vehicles for sale all around Australia and I can refine my results by year, make, model, body type, and price. If you want the best site for the best used cars then OzFreeOnline.com will become a favourite of yours as well.
An average of one out of four vehicles gets a new battery every year, and sooner or later all batteries must be replaced. Having to do this prematurely can involve more than the cost of a service call and a new battery, there is a whole lot of inconvenience as well. What you have to do is get the most life out of a battery, and the following hints may help.
Make sure the electrical system in your vehicle is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging. If your battery is the type that needs to be topped up, check it regularly, especially in hot weather and add distilled water when necessary. It is wise to replace your car battery with one that is rated as high as the one originally specified. HINT: Check your owner's manual. Always keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power; moreover, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.