Saturday, November 23, 2013
How to Get a New Vin Plate for a Car
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is like a Social Security number for cars. All VINs for cars manufactured since 1981 have 17 digits and they are usually found etched into a metal plate on the engine block, the firewall or the inside of the door frame. If your VIN plate has been destroyed, you can apply to have a new one created for the vehicle as long as you have proof of need for the replacement. If for some reason your VIN on the vehicle and the VIN on your title do not match, you will need to get a new title, not a new VIN.
Instructions
- 1
Locate and record your vehicles VIN. Consult the owners manual for your vehicle if you do not know where it is located. Record the make, model, year, color, and license plate number of your vehicle.
2Locate the vehicles title which lists the VIN of the car. If you are financing the vehicle, the finance company will have the title. Contact the company that issued your car loan to get a copy of the title.
3Contact your local State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office for specific instructions on what is required to replace the VIN (see Resources). You will likely be required to have an inspection of the vehicle by a police officer or DMV official to verify that the VIN plate was destroyed. Take all the recorded information with you when you go to the DMV.
Friday, November 8, 2013
How to Charge a New Car Battery
Normally, a new car battery does not need to be charged--it is already fully charged. However, if it is necessary to charge a new car battery, you do not need to follow any special procedures. Just follow the procedures required for safely charging any car battery--regardless of age. Always wear protective eye goggles and gloves whenever charging a battery and never allow any of the corrosive residue around the poles of the battery to come into direct contact with your skin. Never smoke or allow an open flame near a battery because this could cause an explosion.
Instructions
- 1
Clean the battery posts if corrosion is on them. Put 2 tbsp. of baking soda in a small container and then add enough water to make a thin paste. Brush this paste onto the corrosion (it may bubble and fizz) and wash off with clean water.
2Remove the plastic caps over the battery cells unless your battery is maintenance-free and the caps are non-removable. If the caps are removable fill each battery cell with distilled water (never tap water) until the tops of the plates are just covered. Do not overfill. Replace the caps after filling. If your maintenance-free battery shows a red light, then the battery must be replaced, not charged.
3Remove the cables connecting the battery to the vehicle. Use a small crescent wrench or box-end wrench to loosen the nuts around the battery connectors and loosen the connectors. Remove the red (+) wire first and then the black (-) wire. Connect the red (+) charger wire to the red (+) post of the battery. Twist the connector slightly to ensure a good connection. Connect the black (-) charger wire to an exposed metal part of the engine block. Twist this connector slightly to ensure a good, solid connection.
4Move the charger as far from the battery as the wires allow it to go and then plug it in. Set the charger (if settings are available) to the 12-volt setting at 6 to 12 amps, assuming your vehicle has a 12-volt battery. If your charger only indicates high or low charging, select high for automobile batteries, or low for motorcycle batteries.
5Unplug the charger and remove the red (+) wire from the battery and then remove the black (-) wire from the vehicles frame after six hours unless your charger automatically shuts off when the charge is complete. Always unplug the charger first, and then remove the battery cables.
6Reconnect the cars battery cables. Connect the red (+) cable first and then the black cable. You will need a small crescent wrench or a box-end wrench to tighten the battery cables.
7Start the car and allow it to run for 20 minutes or drive the car for approximately three miles to ensure that the battery has a good charge.
