Three Common Auto Battery Hazards To Be Aware Of

If you're fairly new to car ownership or just unfamiliar with what really goes on under the hood, your car's battery could be harboring secrets that can spell disaster for your engine. Luckily, by familiarizing yourself with a few of the common battery hazards, you'll know what to watch for to help protect your car and its battery. Here are a few common battery problems you should be aware of.

Gassing – Gassing occurs due to an overcharged battery. This often happens as a result of constant running. In some situations, a battery that overcharges from running too much actually splits the water in the battery, producing hydrogen. The hydrogen production is what is referred to as gassing, because that hydrogen gas will look for an outlet. To avoid a damaged battery from this type of problem, make sure that any battery you put in your car is equipped with vents to ensure that the gas can escape. This reduces the risk of swelling, overheating or explosion due to gas accumulation.

Spilled Electrolytes – Every car battery has an electrolyte solution that contains sulfuric acid. This solution is volatile, and can cause corrosion and burns if it seeps out of the battery case. To protect against problems like this, inspect the battery condition regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Look at all of the weld points to ensure that they are intact and all of the seams are sealed. You'll also want to be sure that your battery is built with vibration tolerance or it is mounted in a vibration-dampening tray. That way, you eliminate the risk of acid spills from vibration or rattling.

Bursting – Because of the volatile nature of the battery contents, any errant spark could put a weakened or damaged battery at risk of explosion or bursting. Keeping your engine wiring in the best possible condition is vital to protecting your battery. Unfortunately, there are some instances of wiring sparks that you cannot avoid, such as those caused by a sudden short in the wiring. To protect your battery against these types of hazards, make sure that you choose a battery with a spark-arresting cover and an insulated case.

The more you understand about your car's battery and its condition, the easier it will be to identify potential problems. Talk with a local automotive service specialist or auto parts supplier, such as those at Battery Tree, about the best battery option for your car.