Batteries

The Battery - The heart of your car's engine

Without a charged battery - even the most powerful car is rendered immobile. Yet the battery is often one of the most neglected components in the entire car.
Here's how to make sure that you keep your car's battery in tip-top condition and avoid being stranded at the roadside without the power to get you going again.

Connection

The battery is most commonly located under the bonnet but in some cars it can be found elsewhere like under the floor in the boot. The two grey coloured posts on top of the battery are called 'terminals' and are marked ( + ) for positive and ( - ) for negative. To avoid damaging the electrical system, it is imperative that the terminals are connected to the appropriate electrical lead. If in doubt, consult your car's handbook or better still - leave it to the professionals at Fairway.

Charging

Providing your car's alternator and drive belt are in good condition - the battery is re-charged automatically as you drive. In some cases, it can be removed from the car and connected to a domestic mains-powered battery charger - but care must be taken as the unit is heavy and as it contains sulphuric acid - it could be dangerous if dropped. If your car won't start, a flat battery may be assisted by connecting it to another car's battery with jump leads. Once again it is vital that the leads are connected observing the correct polarity ( + ) and ( - ).