Battery Service Tips
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Do you remember when you last had your battery serviced?

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, remember to always wear a pair of rubber gloves and goggles whenever you service your battery. This will protect your hands from acid and protect your eyes.

Always remove the negative terminal first. This disconnects the battery from the system altogether and reduces the chance of sparks. If the battery terminals do not come off easily, use a battery puller tool to take them off. Do not use a screwdriver to pry the terminals off, because it can break the battery post internal connections!

Take your battery terminal cleaning tool, which should have different extensions for different sized terminals and use it to clean off the terminals and posts. Also use a quality battery cleaning solution, which is available at your local auto stores.

 

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Be Prepared For Roadside Emergencies
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Whether you're planning to visit friends and family for the holidays, driving home from school for break, or just heading out to the mall for some shopping, make sure you're prepared for roadside emergencies.

Check your emergency item inventory now. There are some essential items that every driver should keep in their vehicle at all times.

One of the most common roadside emergencies is a flat tire. Fix-A-Flat can provide a great temporary solution so that you can drive your car to a safe place where you can wait for help or change your tire. If you carry a spare and don't mind replacing the tire yourself, have a good jack and the proper lugwrench on hand. But remember, any time you have to pull over, find the safest place away from the road as you can. Often the shoulder doesn't offer enough stability or protection from speeding traffic. So, please, play it safe when stopping to repair your vehicle at the side of a road.

If you do end up stranded, you need to always make yourself visible to oncoming traffic. In many cases, your car's hazard lights don't offer you enough visibility. Road flares and reflective triangles are essential to any emergency kit.

Also, a cellular phone can be extremely helpful when you need to call for help on a busy highway or in a remote area. It's always a good idea to have a blanket, gloves and nonperishable food items in case you're stranded for a while in the cold. And, finally, a small shovel can come in handy if you wind up stuck in a snow drift.

 

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