Will My Battery Last This Winter? Car Battery Maintenance

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Will My Battery Last This Winter? Essential Winter Car Battery Maintenance

Of all the components on your car, the battery is one of the most important. It is responsible for storing the needed energy to start the engine. All extreme weather can be hard on car batteries, but this is especially true during the winter time.

At the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a car battery can lose up to 35% of its power. As temperatures drop, the power loss is even greater. In this blog, we will take a look at how to get the most out of your battery this winter season.

How Cold Weather Affects Car Batteries

When a battery is called upon to start a car, the chemical energy is transformed into electricity. Once the car is running, the alternator produces the electricity it needs to run the engine, and power all of the vehicle’s lights and accessories.

Cold weather has a detrimental effect on car batteries in several ways. Lower temperatures strain the chemical reactions that take place in a battery to produce electricity. In addition, engines are more difficult to physically turn over when it’s cold, so a battery must work harder than it does in warmer weather.

Three Ways to Maximize Your Battery’s Winter Performance

If you are concerned about your car battery making it through the cold months of winter, here are three great tips to keep in mind.

  • Test Your Battery’s Strength for Winter

A qualified repair shop can test your battery to see how strong it will be for the colder months ahead. They will perform what is known as a “load test”, which simulates the typical strain a battery endures when starting an engine. If the battery passes the load test, chances are good that it will survive the winter just fine.

  • Clean Battery Terminals to Prevent Corrosion

One of the most common reasons a battery fails in the winter is due to corroded terminals.

Over time, hydrogen gases in the battery will mix with air and moisture, causing a baking soda like substance to form on the terminals. This corrosion breaks down the electrical connection between the battery and the clamps.

Cleaning your posts and clamps will ensure the battery can transfer its full power to the starter motor. If you are not sure how to clean your battery posts, a repair shop can do it for you. The shop will also put a protective coating on the terminals and clamps to help prevent corrosion in the future.

  •  Avoid Draining Your Battery with Accessories and Lights

One of the best things you can do to protect your battery in the wintertime is to make sure all interior lights and accessories are off when you leave the car. In addition, don’t leave your highlights on, which can quickly drain a battery too.

Car-X Can Help Get Your Cars Battery Ready for Winter!

We all rely on our vehicles to perform well all year long. Wintertime can be rough on car batteries. Don’t get stuck out in the cold! Let the friendly pros at Car-X test your battery, and clean your terminal connections if needed to get it ready for the winter months.

For over 50 years, Car-X has been keeping our customers’ cars rolling down the road. Let us be your year-round, one-stop car repair and maintenance solution!

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Winterize your vehicle

If the weather turns frightful is your vehicle ready for winter driving? Stay safe & keep your vehicle in good working order this winter with the following tips:

Battery Test Check Mark Battery test-If the battery is not checked, there is a chance the particularly cold nights will be too much, making the battery unable to power on the next day.

Antifreeze Check Mark Antifreeze-Another serious issue that often comes up in the winter is lack of enough coolant, which can cause the engine to freeze and possibly crack, causing detrimental harm.

Charging Systems Check Mark Charging system check-Your charging system needs to be tested to ensure it can handle running multiple items such as your defrosters, headlights, and heater at once.

Belt and Hoses Check Mark Belt & hose inspection-Cracked or worn belts are a big reason why cars break down. Similarly, hoses need to be inspected for leaks, bulging, etc. These should be checked annually before the winter months, so there is no chance of getting stranded out in the cold unnecessarily.

Brake Check Mark Brake check-Having brakes in good condition is imperative for slippery winter roads. Having your brakes and ABS system checked each year ensures you will be able to come to a stop easily should you happen to slide.

Oil Change Check Mark Oil change-Important year-round, having your oil changed for the winter months is a step you should not forget. Be sure to refer to your car’s owner manual, as some car manufacturers suggest using a different grade of oil for colder temperatures.

Wiper Blade Check Mark New wiper blades-It is necessary to have windshield wiper blades in good condition for when you get caught driving in the snow. There are even a variety of specialty wiper blades made specifically for snowy weather.

Tire Check Mark Tire maintenance-It is of utmost importance to make sure your tire pressure is at a good level. Tires should be inspected, as well as rotated if you have not done so recently.

Other helpful tips:

  • Run your air conditioning roughly once per month. This will help decrease the time it takes your windows to defog.
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full. The added weight helps in slippery conditions, and it also helps prevent moisture from forming.
  • Do not forget to keep a snow brush/ice scraper in your car.

Car-X provides a wide array of winterization products and services. Find a location near you, and let us take the worry out of winter driving.