Your car's battery does not produce energy, it simply stores it. Auto batteries contain six cells. Each cell is made up of a positive and a negative plate capable of storing two volts making auto batteries 12 volt. Older car batteries require frequent checks of the liquid level to maintain peak storage ability. However, the modern maintenance-free batteries require no additional water throughout their life. When choosing a battery, make sure the starting performance is adequate for your car. This performance is measured by the cold cranking rating. To choose a powerful enough battery, just match the number of cubic inches in your engine to the cold cranking rating on the battery. So if your engine is 350 cubic inches, the rating should be 350 or higher. For a diesel engine, multiply the cubic inches by three for the cold cranking rating. As always, your car manual is the best source for determining the recommended equipment for your car.
©2006 Crossroads Mobile. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
