Orlando Sentinel
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Like tires and drive belts, batteries must be replaced eventually. And it can get a little confusing. Here are some tips. Orlando Sentinel
The first step: Diagnose the problem. Make sure you need a new battery, if yours has lost power. A battery that died because you left an interior light on overnight can be recharged. A loose connection at either end of the battery cables can also mimic a dead battery; all you need is for the connections to be cleaned and tightened.
Step 2: Do your homework. If your battery really does need replacement, check your owner's manual for the right size and power requirements. Sizes are often listed as "groups"— Group 75, for instance, covers many General Motors vehicles. Group 35 covers many Japanese-branded vehicles. Some batteries have the terminals on top, others on the side. The owner's manual ...