Weekly Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1919-1920, 1919-11-05
KEEPING YOUR
BUICK CAR
in TRIM
Suggestions About Giving
the Storage Battery the
Care 1t Deserves

The storage battery has been de-
vclopcd to such a high state of per-
lection that many Buick owners are
unconscious of the presence OF bat
terry in their cars. Considering the
::bu3c and neglect that a battery Of
tcn receives, it is remarkable that 1t
continues to function properly.
When trouble results, it is usually
due TO the forgetfulness of the driver
in attending to the simple things nee
cssary to the life of the battery.
Should the owner neglect to keep the
motor supplied with sufficient oil, he
i, not surprised if it fails to run
..noothly. He knows that lack of
water in the radiator, for instance,
means an overhcated motor.
And, yet, there are owners who,
particularly careful about motor lub-
lication, abuse their batteries.
Storage batteries after all, are like
human beings. They are chemical
not mechanical. Their elements I'M
lcrgo a constant change. They can
suffer from neglect, starvation, over
work, ovcrheating and overlooking.
The crucial period of their lives is in
carly life.
Tho storage battery is the heart OF
tho electric system. 1t is the reser-
voir into which the electrical energy
Made by the generator is stored for
IGNITION, lighting and cranking the
actor,
And, as it, life depends on the care
t receives, it should be the duty OF
every owner to see that his storage
battery is in the best Of condition at
all times. BY observing simple rules.
, l,c can assure himself that his battery
; %crvceahle and dependable.
! Always keep the battery cells filled
With distilled water to a level onc-half
inch above the top Of the plates
f!cvcr fill the cells full. Look into "ll
cells frequently, just as you do your
= .diator. A battery cannot be filled
md then expected to function indefl-
nitely without further attention. The
filing should be done frequently rath-
or than on specific dates because the
evaporation of the liquid is affected
both by atmospheric conditions and
driving.
/ Without water the plates become
! lard and are rapidly ovcrhcated b!
:, he charging currcnt. Filling tho
! battery too full, however, is as un
warranted as not filing it full
enough. Too much water makes tho
aid overflow and cat away tho wooc
case. Always be sure that the dis
TILED water is pure. Never allow i
to come in contact with metal. Dis
titled water may be obtained 1T tho
service station or at any drug store
1t is never necessary to add ACID
to your battery when it is function
ing properly. While discharging, the
acid is absorbed by the plates; while
charging forces the acid out Of th'
1.atcs into the solution again. Onl!
the water is cvaporatcd.
The battery and battery compart'
rent should always be kept clean ant
CIV and the terminals clean, bright
and well covered with vascline to pre-
NHnt corrosjon.
A fully charged battery will moi
i.'cezc at any ordinary winter tenn
paraturc, but discharged batter!
will freeze at little below 81 dc
crecs +. Be sure to take hydromctc
y~adi,gs regularly. The gravit,
should always be up to at least
...75 If you lay your car, the batter!
s'.ould be removed and placed in sto
rage where it may be kept charged.
Another prccaution in battery care
i; to be certain that there arc nc
ltaky cells in your battery. Whc'
ing, il one cell takes considerable
more water than others, this indicat
q; that jar leaks. Unless repaired
Immediately, the battery may be ruin
Cu.
1t is advisable to keep in touch will
the nearest battery service station
It is naturally to the best interest O.
,, tho battery manufacturer to see that
TIC battery is working as it should
Tic service station man will make ar
c..ami,ation of the battery and tel
you its exact condition. He will OK
plain it's relation TO the rest of tho
electrical system and how your driv'
ing in summer and winter affects thu
battery.
You cannot expect too much Of
hin, however, if you neglect TO show
tho respect your battery deserves
Watch the water il your battery a
c:1'crully as you do the oil in you
engine or the water in your radiator
! Attending to the simple things will
prevent much Inconvenience anc
trouble later.
| "Amen Corner"
The phrase "amen corner Is said to