Battery Care and Maintenance tips was actually suggested by my good friend and forum moderator at EricTheCarGuy.com, College man aka Paul Krawsek. I thought it was a great idea for a video so I ran with it.
The batteries in our vehicles are often overlooked until they don’t work. With a little time, some relatively inexpensive tools, and a basic knowledge of what to look for, you can keep your battery working for a very long time. You’ll also know if the battery isn’t on it’s way out before there is a failure. No on likes getting stranded and this is a good way to prevent that.
I hope the tips in this video are helpful and help you take care of your automotive batteries.
Thanks for watching.
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
More info on battery maintenance: http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html
Information on Specific Gravity: http://support.rollsbattery.com/support/articles/4347-measuring-specific-gravity
Tools and Other Stuff
Zep Battery Cleaner: http://www.zepautomotive.com/product/Battery-Cleaner-Protector?gclid=CMPSjPCPisQCFY-EaQodkyEAuA
Battery Holder/Carrier Tool: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/atd-tools-5486-heavy-duty-battery-carrier/#oid=1002_1
Terminal Cleaner: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/performance-tool-w147fb-battery-terminal-cleaner-each/#oid=1002_1
Battery Charger: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/clore-automotive-4506-6-12-volt-charge-it-smart-battery-charger/#oid=1002_1
Battery Load Tester: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/clore-automotive-1852-100-amp-battery-load-tester/#oid=1002_1
Battery Conductance Tester: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/midtronics-pbt50-battery-conductance-tester/#oid=1002_1
DVOM: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/electronic-specialties-480a-auto-ranging-digital-multimeter/#oid=1002_1
Battery Terminals: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/performance-tool-w1686c-deluxe-lead-battery-terminal/#oid=1002_1
Really Good Battery Terminals: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/audiopipe-x700p-battery-terminal-xxx-positive/#oid=1002_1
Battery Hold Down Kit: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/performance-tool-w1691c-crossbar-battery-hold-down/#oid=1002_1
Related Videos
Alternator/Charging System Diagnosis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTGz0PKIl84
Starter Diagnosis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKjdnQ0sHQc&feature=relmfu
Checking Battery Terminals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ze7pzrhRIs
Parasitic draw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0
Basic Electrical troubleshooting 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLVu2HYtOhA
Basic Electrical troubleshooting 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSvA0y-peA
Testing Relays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWmt6gorzUg
Electronics Are Stupid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmmMpKOx3cU
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/56828-battery-care-and-maintenance-tips#129976
Useful articles.
Engine overheat: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats
No start problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems
Idle issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems
Performance issues: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues
Diagnosing Noises: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
Diagnosing Vibrations: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/determining-the-causes-of-vehicle-vibrations
Electrical Problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems
HVAC problems: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-hvac-problem
Leaks: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-leaks
MPG: http://ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-the-causes-of-poor-mpg
Social Network Links
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
I knew most of this other than the voltage leaking across the top. However, it is an excellent video clearly explained with nothing flowery about it. Also attention paid to the hold downs and the pan the battery sits on is worth doing. Thank you
thanks
One cool tip: if you keep two battery cleaners, one for – and one for + (don't get them mixed up) they won't rust and you'll never have to buy new ones
Thanks for scaring the shit out of me Eric! I will now and forever install the batteries hold downs
Great video .
One thing I spotted , it's great to see a mechanic using an adjustable Spanner .
I have an 06 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 tdi .
Biggest bugbear is if I don't drive it . It struggles to start .
Trouble is electrically it's a complex system .
As soon as you unlock it and open the drivers door , you can hear something in the vehicle firing up.
It took me a while to work out that it's the Webasto engine diesel preheat system .
Went out to it today Tuesday , last started Friday last week .
First try starting . Probably cranked over for 5 or 6 seconds then stopped .
2 goes with engine preheat (heater plugs ) it turned over normally and fired up sweet as usual .
The battery is 8 weeks old from new .
I know only too well it's got a parasitic drain .
I was so confused how plastic was conducting electricity until you pointed it out, a little up keeping on engine bay cleanliness goes a long way it seems
Maybe put rolled up paper towel in cell openings before cleaning.
All this time I thought I was just keeping the battery looking good not knowing it was good for it too lol, winning!
15:15 – What about submerging the battery terminals themselves in a bi-carb soda/water solution? Or something else to clean them up?
Great video 😉
3:44 – Why are you concerned about not showing or mentioning brand names? lol I don't get it 🤷ðŸÂ»â€ÂÂ♂ï¸ÂÂ
Thanks Eric. Great review. Sometimes I forget a detail or two.
Thank you! The best tech video!
I used to have one of those back in the day. Nowadays the Refractometer I have at work does the same thing at 5 times the cost. But then I am the only guy in the shop who uses it.
Battery pads sometimes interfere with a proper battery post to battery cable connection. Battery pads collect dirt, water, grime and other debris. It's best not to use them.
Thank you for a great video
Eric- this is very well done. I am using it to teach my automotive tech classes in distance learning. Thank you.
Thank you, Eric!
Great video Eric! Although I a red negative battery cable doesn't look too cool man, since you changed out the terminal might as well put a nice new cable on there too.
Not certain about the points made but ,if anyone else wants to discover how to recondition batteries try https://t.co/YpdloYO92F ? Ive heard some super things about it and my co-worker got excellent success with it.
I bought a new battery which has 70Ah but my OEM was 60, is it OK?
Love this up to the reinstall.. positive cable last, he did pos first. And cleaning the cable wires? dude just snip the end and connect to the new terminal, looked like you had enough slack. Clean on top of what he already cleaned? Anyway.. other then that.. this was very helpful ..thank you!
If you is interested in battery reconditioning the greatest success that i've ever had was with the Magic Mender Wizard (just google it) without a doubt the most incredible course that I have ever tried.
I took my car to Autozone to have the battery tested. The guy said it said Replace Battery but didn't answer me when I asked how bad and he quickly disconnected the tester. I had other things to do so I left because the battery seemed ok. I then bought my own digital tester and it tested as a Good Battery. Always ask to see the readout….and get your own tester.
My 2/6 amp charger has an analog gauge but no red or green zones. I eventually figured out when it gets around 1 or 2 amps you're pretty much done charging.
You helped me. Thanks for being thorough
i like to put a miniscule amount of copper conductive grease on the posts .it is made for electrical panels for painting into wires when clamping them in a panel. then i clean up any excess so it does not make a short on battery top and paint some silicone grease to seal terminals. they may get a bit of dust on the grease but the terminals are never corroded four years later when i change battery they are as good as when i installed them.
thanks a lot Eric! You just saved my battery 🙂 had the same "dirt conducts electricity" issue, and the freshly charged battery, could not start my diesel truck the next day. After I watched Your video, I measured it, and had 6-8 volts charge leak via the dirt (and actually it wasnt that dirty, but still). Cleaned it, measured it and now it has 0.0 volt leak. Charging at the moment. hope it starts now! Cheers from hungary!
2 thumbs up!
I've watched a few videos about battery care, but this is undoubtedly the most informative I've seen. I was beginning to give up on finding a decent instructional, but this has now changed that. Very grateful for this. Splendid job!
Wow, this was a really good tutorial! Thanks for sharing!
I don't have any yoca yola, can I use yepsi? 😄
I love the battery leads being both red 🤪
You deserve every like you get, I actually will give you 5 back to back, thank you