How to Make Your Car Last Forever: Avoid Expensive Repairs, Improve Fuel Economy, Understand Your Warranty, Save Money

Tom Tom, Q I own a 2005 GMC 1500 pickup that won’t start in cold damp weather. When it’s dry outs ...

Tom ...

Chapter 8 Charging, Electrical, and Starting Systems It’s the first major snowfall of the year. As you he ...

THE BATTERY The cold weather is a huge factor in battery failure. A battery in marginal (weak) condition w ...

Pictured is a typical automotive battery. Note the red-and-black terminal caps. This denotes positive ...

Sulfating: A condition called “sulfating” kills batteries. Dried battery acid forms a crust in the internal ...

MAINTENANCE TIP A simple way to avoid battery trouble when the cold weather hits is to have a battery load/h ...

BATTERY CABLES The battery cables carry high amperage to the starter motor to spin the engine and start the ca ...

MAINTENANCE TIP Check battery cables when doing an oil change on the car. This check includes making sure ...

Battery terminal connections are either at the top post (shown) or side post type. Always make sure the ...

MAINTENANCE TIP Inspect the drive belt for the alternator. If it’s worn or glazed, replace it. On cars equipped ...

ALTERNATOR The alternator keeps the battery charged and ready to meet the electrical needs of the vehicle. It is ...

The alternator keeps the battery charged and provides enough electrical stream to power the vehicle’s electrical ac ...

STARTER MOTOR The starter motor is a small high-output electrical motor powered by your car’s battery. Its job ...

is the case. ...

A starter motor is a small high-output electrical motor powered by the battery when you turn the key to star ...

IGNITION SWITCH The ignition switch is found on the steering column. When the key is turned, a small gear ...

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Battery posts, terminals, and cables can—and usually do—corrode over time, leaving a white crusty substance. This ...

Detach the battery cables, negative connection first. ...