Battery Maintenance

Battery Maintenance

Have you ever been running late for something important and climbed into your car only to find that the engine won’t start? Maybe you have gotten into the driver’s seat to go home after a long day and turned the key to start your car, but all you hear is the unmistakable, low, whining sound of a dead battery. There are few things more disappointing than getting in your car to go somewhere and learning that your car battery has died.

Dead batteries can lead to expensive service and towing charges, not to mention the price of replacing a battery. Keeping up with regular maintenance of your car battery can prolong its life and save you money over time. Willis Auto and Diesel Services in Lubbock, Texas, has some tips for drivers so you can avoid the high costs and frustration associated with dead batteries as well as the dread of being stranded.

  1. Clean the cables. Using household items like baking soda, water, and a nonmetallic brush, you can clean the top of your battery as well as corrosion from the top of your battery as well as the cables. Make sure you disconnect your cables (the negative cable first) and then gently clean the corrosion from the battery.
  2. Check your battery with some frequency to ensure that its terminal connection are clean, tight, and protected from the elements.
  3. Turn off lights and unplug accessories when you are not using your car.
  4. Test your battery to make sure it is charged. If needed, you can recharge your battery. To optimize battery life, Willis Auto and Diesel Services recommends that you test your battery twice a year.
  5. Check the electrolyte levels in your battery. This is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. Each cell should hold a mixture that is even with the bottom of the well beneath the cap and above the top of the battery plates. Use distilled water as needed.

If you find yourself with a dead car battery, come see us at Willis Auto and Diesel Services in Lubbock, Texas. We will take care of you!

Coolant Maintenance

Coolant Maintenance

Around once a year, you are required to get a state inspection of your vehicle. While it may seem like a nuisance or inconvenience, this is for the maintenance of your vehicle and can help prevent big and expensive repairs down the road. Your car’s coolant system and radiator should be inspected at least once a year and every 12,000 miles, especially if you are on the road a lot. Antifreeze serves to protect your engine from overheating or freezing.

Without it, your engine would eventually melt into a useless block of metal. The issue with coolant is that it is caustic. If it is left alone for too long, it can corrode metal and cause leaks in the radiator. Unlike engine oil, most of the coolant is not removed from the engine in the traditional draining and filling services offered. Adding new coolant to used coolant can cause issues such as clogged coolant passages. In order to avoid expensive engine replacements and repairs, Willis Auto and Diesel Service has some tips so you can maintain the coolant in your car and save money.

First, you should use the correct coolant in your car. You can find what this coolant is by looking in your car’s manual or making a quick search on the Internet. You should also monitor your coolant seasonally. Antifreeze isn’t only used when it is very cold outside — it is flushed through the engine to maintain an even operating temperature every single time you turn the vehicle on.

Checking your vehicle’s owner manual can help you learn when you should replace the coolant in your vehicle. When it is time to replace your car’s coolant, you can do it yourself or visit an auto shop to have it taken care of. As a reminder, antifreeze should not be released into a solid waste stream, storm drain, sewage system, or directly onto the ground. There are regulations on where and how you can dispose of coolant.

Willis Auto and Diesel Service is happy to assist you with car maintenance including your coolant! Avoid a hefty purchase such as a new engine and come see us today!