Have you ever accidentally left the lights on in your vehicle? We all know the feeling, when we get into our vehicles to discover something was accidentally left on. "Please start!", we pray. Your vehicle's battery primarily helps to start the engine. It also stores energy generated by the alternator and runs the secondary electrical systems such as your lights, radio, power seats, power windows, and additional electrical components in your vehicle. Obviously, your battery is an essential part of your vehicle, if you like to listen to your iPod or charge your phone while traveling. To help you take care of your battery, Tire Barn advises the following:

• Clean and remove corrosion and add anti corrosive protection
• Tighten loose hold-down clamps and terminals
• Test battery condition
• Check the alternator belt tension and wear

The two biggest reasons for a dead or low car battery are:

• Leaving your lights on
• Not maintaining your battery properly

Your batteries are rechargeable, and it's always a good idea to carry jumper cables in your vehicle in case of emergencies. You never know when you may need to jump start your vehicle, or even help out another driver in need.

Once your battery is worn out, recycle it! Battery recycling can reduce the resources required for manufacturing new batteries. When you recycle your batteries, you can also divert toxic lead from landfills or improper disposal. Come in to your local Tire Barn today for all of your battery care needs.