Towing Bakersfield CA

Tow Trucks Bakersfield CA Emergency Battery Service

This post is a continuation of our last article on "two primary bits of information are needed in order to get the right battery for your car, both of which can be found on a sticker on the driver's doorjamb or in the car owner's manual: (1) the cold cranking amps; and, (2) the casing size." from  Julie Sussman, et al (Dare To Repair Your Car) . For emergency jumpstart and all your towing needs, get on your phone and search "towing company near me" and you will be sure to find that we are the most reputable tow truck Bakersfield company around! 

Cranking and Cold Cranking Amps

Cranking amps (CA) are the amps required to turn over the engine at 32°F Cold cranking amps (CCA) are the amps required to turn over the engine at 0°F Look on the battery for the letters CA or CCA. The numbers next to it will tell you the number of amps. If you live in an area with extremely cold winters and/or you own a lightweight truck or SUV, you'll want to purchase a battery with a high CCA. The higher the amps, the faster the engine will turn over. Why wouldn't you just want to buy the highest CCA and not worry? The answer is simple – why pay more for something you don't need?

Casing Size and Group Size

The casing size is the dimension of the shelf that the battery sits on. The group size, which is the size of the battery, has two numbers and is listed near the voltage number on the sticker.

Age

You should never buy a battery that is over 6 months old, because when a battery sits for a long period of time without being used it begins to corrode from sulfate (see "Buying a New Battery" page 156).

Cleaning a Battery

Not all batteries are maintenance free, but the one thing you can do to extend the life of the battery is keep the terminals clean.
Terminals, which are located on the top of the battery, are where the battery terminal cables attach. As we've stated, it's vital to keep the terminals clean from oxidation (the white powdery substance) so that the flow of electricity through the terminals is not impeded.
Never clean the battery, the battery terminals, and the, battery terminal cables while the engine is running/ Always turn the engine off before cleaning.

Note: Not only is it important to keep the oxidation on the terminals from getting onto your hands and in your eyes, but it's also important to not allow it to get onto the paint of your car. If it happens, flush the area with water.

Put on the goggles and gloves. If there are caps on the terminals, remove them. Disconnect the negative battery terminal cable first, and then the positive cable. Use the terminal brush to scrub away the oxidation on the terminals, the caps (if applicable), and the cables, if necessary. To clean the terminals, make a paste of water and baking soda and apply it around the terminals. Let it sit fora little bit and then brush the powdery substance away. Now use the spary bottle, filled with water, to clean away the mess. Wipe it off with a rag, it necessary. Rinse off the terminal brush and let dry.

Preventive Maintenance
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A good way to prevent terminals from oxidizing is to spray them, after they've been cleaned, with a protective coating, (a.k.a. terminal protector)."