Battery Maintenance Tips From Gary Knurek GoodYear
August 2, 2016
When it comes to your vehicle, it all starts with the battery. Proper battery maintenance is important for two reasons:
First, your vehicle won't start or run without it. Second, it is the key to the long life of your auto electrical system. If your battery isn't working efficiently, your alternator has to work overtime to make up for it, and other electrical components can suffer as well.
A number of years ago sealed batteries were introduced to the local Troy, Michigan, market. They were hailed as being 'maintenance-free batteries.' While it is true that you can't get in and adjust the electrolyte levels of a sealed battery, it is by no means maintenance free.
Batteries are very sensitive to changes in the weather around Michigan. Temperature really affects auto battery performance. A battery inspection is an important part of your spring and fall checkups. Next time you're under your hood, take a look at your battery.
- Is it clean and free of residue? A dirty battery will drain.
- Is there corrosion at the terminals where the battery cables attach to the battery? If there is, the corrosion can interfere with how efficiently electricity passes back and forth from the battery.
- Are the cables loose? Make sure they are tight.
- Are the cables themselves corroded? Corrosion can actually eat through the battery cables.
Gary Knurek GoodYear service advisors can inspect and test your battery. If the inspection warrants a cleaning, have it done. If the battery test indicates that replacement of the battery or cables is in order, you will be lucky to have caught the problem before it becomes a major inconvenience.
Your battery will also last longer if you keep your fuel system and ignition system clean. It's all part of your commitment to regular maintenance, to keep your vehicle running on Troy streets at its best for a long, long time.
Gary Knurek GoodYear
1973 Livernois
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-362-0350
Need Service?
More articles from Gary Knurek, Authorized GoodYear Dealer
Let’s Clear the Air
June 14, 2026
All of us want the air we breathe to be clean and free of pollution. So, back in the 1970s, automakers started equipping vehicles with a device that reduces harmful emissions before they even go out the tailpipe. Theyre called catalytic converters, and while they will likely last you years on y... More
The Untold Truth About Blinker Fluid: Why Your Car Desperately Needs It
May 10, 2026
If youve been ignoring your dashboard, your mechanic, and that one guy at the gas station who muttered bro your blinkers sound dry, then buckle up because today we dive into the critical world of blinker fluid maintenance. What Is Blinker Fluid? Blinker fluid is a high-viscosity, luminescent com... More
Go with the Flow (MAF Sensor Replacement)
April 15, 2026
If your vehicle has an internal combustion engine, it depends on two things to make propulsion power for you to be able to motor on down the road: fuel and air. The engine mixes the two in just the right proportion so that they can be ignited, creating a series of tiny explosions that are coordi... More