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Show November 7-- 1 2, 2002 The Times-lndepende- EXTRA! nt Pago 16 AAA Utah offers tips for winter driving ti A at e.tiy one a no d'tveb kooAS fie ttusttution of a dead battery No matter when a t attery fail's to start a tar t never seems to be a convenient time Utah spokeswoman The constant chemical reaction inside a lead acid battery vibration caused by dnvtng an extreme changes in temperature all conspire to rob a battery of its ability to be recharged " Last year AAAs emergency road service professionals responded to nearly 5 351 000 calls from members with cars that wouldn't start Many of these calls involved batteries that could not be recharged In many other cases, car owners assumed their battery would be fine after the only to experience a second battery failure the next time they tried to start the vehicle Years of experience and millions of and the complications of find-n- j and instating a replacement battery tan seem endless Knowing what to expect from a vehicle t attery - and what can be done to prevent inconvenient battery failure are the nes to avoiding this common and stressful event said AAA Utah Despite warranties that claim an expected battery life of four five or six years most vehicle batteries will fail after three and a half years or even sooner said Rolayne Fairclough AAA or piae -- jump-star- t, Four Corners school announces 2003 schedule Continued from page 12... A free catalog is available which includes itineraries for all programs, including a description of daily activities, general travel requirements, and staff credentials More extensive information is available in briefing packets which of the tuition goes to support the other programs of the school including the Canyon County Youth Corps and the Bioregional Outdoor Education Project Discounts are available to members of Four Corners School, for those regis- contain complete program details, tering as a group, and those taking more than one Ed Venture in a year Programs range from van tours to river trips to backpacking and accommodate a wide spectrum of interests and skill levels Custom programs can also be arranged for private groups or equipment lists, travel specifics, itinerary, background reading and more Briefing packets are available for $12 00 each, which is applied to program tuition if you enroll For a free catalog, or for further information, call Four Corners School of Outdoor Education at calls for assistance have demonstrated to AAA that most vehicle batteries are allowed to fail by car owners This is because car batteries are seldom tested as part of a regular vehicle inspection and maintenance routine, and because many owners assume their vehicle battery will last much longer than it actually wilt Signs of a weak battery are slow engine cranking, dim headlights and illumination of the batterycharging system warning light on the dashboard To end this frustration motorists will need to change their thinking about batteries, said Fairclough New technology has made it possible to reliably determine the condition of a vehicle battery in a few minutes without removing the battery from the vehicle. This test should be requested by vehicle owners anytime they have their vehicle inspected To keep a battery in good working condition, motorists can do the following- the battery case clean by wiping down with a moist paper towel and mild detergent. This will help reduce any current drain caused by dirt and gnme. - Clean the corrosion around the terminal connections and battery holddown with a small stiff brush and a solution of baking soda and water. Rinse the battery with water, but be careful of staining floors or driveways. - it " t "3 i i, i s . - U-- , is MS-- V 4Uf WBMKSBSM issnBWHsrj , ( Check the electrolyte fluid level if the battery has removable vent caps The fluid should be above the tops to the plates inside the battery if fluid is needed add distilled water, but do not -- overfill - Make sure battery terminal connections are tight, Adjust loose fittings or replace fittings that have cracked When working with automotive batteries always wear proper eye protection, gloves and never smoke or work near an open flame. Explosive hydrogen gas is present and may explode. a Instructions for failed battery can be found in vehicle jump-startin- g g owners manuals. However, can be dangerous, motorists should seek professional assistance jump-startin- from a certified technician or qualified emergency road service provider if they feel uncertain about battery vemaintenance and jump-starti- ng i hicle. Before replacing a battery, have the battery, electrical and vehiclecharging system checked for problems. When selecting a new battery, always choose one that is of the same physical size as the original battery. This will ensure proper fit and avoid excessive vibration, which will shorten battery life. Never install a battery with a lower rating than is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. |