Winter Car Care – Your Car’s Battery

Winter can be tough on vehicles, but especially the battery. The chemical reactions required to generate power in a car battery slow down in very cold temperatures, effectively reducing the battery’s ability to hold the charge. Furthermore, when temperatures drop, your engine requires more current from the battery to get started – turning over an engine can take up to twice as much current as needed under more favorable conditions.

Combine less power output with more power requirements and what you get is a car that will have a difficult time getting started on very cold winter mornings...or worse yet, a car that won’t start at all.

Some tips to help your car battery through these cold months:

• Get your battery tested, particularly if it is over 3 years old. Older, weaker batteries will typically already have reduced performance, and cold temperatures will often drastically reduce this further – to the point where the battery will discharge or go flat very quickly.

• Have a mechanic inspect your electrical system. Even if you don’t need to replace your battery, he’ll still clean up any corrosion he finds on your posts and connections and make sure your cables are in good shape and are secured firmly to the battery. The mechanic might also fill your battery with distilled water if needed.

• Switch off all loads (lights, wipers, heater, phone chargers, etc.) before switching off your engine at the end of your journey. This prevents any unnecessary drain on the battery the next time you start up.

• Avoid using heaters, heated screens, and heated seats for longer than you have to, as they all put high demands on the vehicle’s battery. Some satnavs, in-car DVD players, and iPods can also drain the battery if left connected.

• Park your vehicle in a garage whenever possible. Every bit of warmth helps, and if all doors and windows are sealed correctly, your garage can be about 5 to 10 degrees warmer than outside (*If your garage is also insulated, you can expect an even greater difference in temperatures).

With more and more vehicle equipment demanding electricity, being aware of your car battery’s health will help keep your travels worry-free this winter season.