Although you can usually count on a battery to last, you should still keep an eye on it as well as your battery cables. Your vehicle battery supplies power to all of the electrical systems in your vehicle (i.e. the starter and ignition systems) so it’s important to ensure it’s in good condition.
Make sure the battery cables are fastened securely and not corroded. This is important for the performance of your vehicle. A weak battery may cause your engine to turn over slowly and cause the headlights to be dim.

Battery Maintenance Tips/Suggestions
You should have your battery and cables inspected every time you get an oil change. Ensure your battery is securely mounted (regular vehicle use can loosen it from its mount) and battery connections are clean, tight and corrosion-free. If you find corrosion around the battery terminals, clean the terminals and the cables thoroughly. A little baking soda with water and careful brushing with a toothbrush will clean the cable connectors. If corrosion is excessive, have an ACDelco trained technician replace the cables.
As part of your regular fall/winter maintenance, have your battery tested with an approved electronic battery test kit by a certified technician. Preventive maintenance such as this will help prevent unexpected vehicle problems due to old or weak batteries.
When using a voltmeter to check your battery’s voltage, fully-charged, a battery should read 12.5 to 13.5 DC volts. If it registers lower, take it to an ACDelco trained technician and have it charged . If the battery tests ‘OK’ but isn’t quite holding a charge, take a second to check the alternator driver belt to check if it’s too tight.

Replacing a Battery
There is not always a warning sign before your battery fails. When choosing a replacement, consult with your trained technician for the proper battery for your make and model of vehicle. When replacing a battery, disconnecting the battery may erase the memory of radios and electronically controlled mirrors and seats. Consult your trained technician for more specifics on changing the battery. Also, never discard an old battery in the trash. Take the old battery to a recycling centre that accepts automotive batteries.

Ask a Professional
To avoid being stranded, ask your service repair facility to check your battery. Using diagnostic equipment, they will be able to verify the charge of your battery to see if it needs to be replaced. It’s often difficult to know the damage the hot summer has had on your battery, so it is always important to have your battery tested as part of your fall/winter maintenance.
To ensure you have a long lasting battery with the peace-of-mind warranty, ACDelco has enhanced their warranty, we now offer up to 50 months free-replacement. The longest lasting warranty in the industry.