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Car Care |
RE-BUILT BATTERIES DAMAGE
THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM...
The type of battery to choose for your vehicle depends on
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a) Whether your vehicle has a dynamo or an alternator. Example:
An Ambassador with a dynamo would do well with a hard rubber
range battery while an Ambassador with an alternator would need
a poly propleyne battery. b) Your driving pattern, average running
per day. c) Electrical accessories in the vehicle like A/c,
stereo, etc. d) The maintenance pattern.
If you are looking
to buy batteries with foreign collabrations. Check if :
a) They are suited for Indian conditions. Most foreign batteries
are designed for ideal conditions. b) They gel with the electrical
system of your car.
How to get the maximum out of your battery :
a) Get your fan belt, wiring, dynamo and regulator setting
regularly checked. Get your battery serviced regularly, every
month. b) Top up the battery with distilled water only. Never
add acid. c) Keeping the top of the battery clean and dry
is important. Apply vaseline to cable clamps and terminals.
Corrosion, dirt and moisture cause loss of power. d) Keep
the vent plugs tightly closed. Splashing of electrolyte could
cause current leakage. e) Always keep the battery fully charged.
Why you should not buy a rebuilt battery:
a) Using re-conditioned batteries is like running your vehicle
on kerosene. They are charged using commercial acids. b) Re-builders
salvage plates from old batteries and construct a battery.
c) Re-built batteries are not consistent, as they obtain material
from various sources that keep changing. d) Re-built batteries
are not consistent, as they are made of material from various
sources. e) A re-builder's guarantee is a gimmick. If your
battery fails he gives you another re-built battery. f) A
low quality battery will ultimately spoil your vehicle's electrical
system. g) With a re-built battery your vehicle may require
a push start. This gives jerks to the clutch and transmission
rod and can damage them over a period of time. You will finally
end up making more trips to the garage than your business
destinations
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KNOW
YOUR CAR BEFORE BUYING IT
Remember these points while buying a used car:
• Trust
only natural light while checking for dents or damages. Never
check a car at night.
• Consider what a car mechanic has to say about the car and
it's price.
• Watch for rusty portions and dents. Surface blisters in
the paint are a bad sign, indicating that the panel is about
to rust through completely. The car's bodywork is important.
• Tap with fingers along the bottom edge of the body. Solid
metal bodywork will have a metallic ring. Quick repairs with
a plastic body filler will give a dull tap.
• Check for jerks and loosening by rolling all windows up
and down, and opening and shutting the doors, trunk and hood.
Any improper fit may indicate that the car has been hit and
the frame or body is permanently bent.
• Inspect tyres carefully for uneven wear which is a sign
of a bent frame or a worn out suspension.
• Be suspicious of brand new tyres: the old ones may have
indicated bad shock absorbers or bad wheel alignment.
• If there is excessive tyre wear but the odometer shows low
mileage, the meter has been tampered with.
• Grab the top of each wheel and pull it in and out. If there
is much movement or noise, check for worn suspension and wheel
bearings.
• Push down each corner of the car several times, then release
it. If the car bounces up and down more than twice, you may
need new shocks.
• Check the radiator and battery for cracks, and proper fluid
levels.
• Excessive wear in the trunk cargo area could mean that the
car was used to carry heavy loads, which ages a car quickly.
• Press down on the brakes. If the pedal goes too low or sinks
to the floor, it means the hydraulic system is defective.
• Try all accessories at the same time and make sure they
all work.
• Start the engine and listen for unusual noises that can
indicate expensive engine repairs in future.
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