Fewer things can be more frustrating than jumping in your car on a frosty morning, turning the ignition on and failing to hear the engine roar to life.
Whether it’s a regular battery or Maintenance free battery, cold weather can create havoc on your battery as it slows down the reaction inside it. Though batteries can function under a myriad of conditions, the cold weather tends to degrade even high-quality batteries.
There are various ways to protect a car battery from failure in the cold. Here are a few of them:
1.Assess the battery’s age
Car batteries have different life spans. Most of them last for 5 to 10 years depending on their quality. If your battery is older than its lifespan, it’s time to replace it. Check your owner manual and see Where to buy car battery which is suitable for your car.
2.Check for corrosion
Corrosion can prevent a car from starting just as much as a worn-out battery. It can be caused by a faulty connection, exposure or acid overflow. Regularly inspect the battery to keep up with the issues that may cause corrosion. Carefully clean away any corrosive residue formed and make sure the battery is correctly fitted.
3.Use a battery blanket
A battery blanket is a wrap which is placed around the battery and it fits inside the battery cover. It has an electric cord which makes the blanket warm on plugging in. The blanket produces enough heat to keep the battery fluid from freezing.
4.Minimize automotive accessory usage
When starting your car on cold morning avoid starting the heater and the radio right away. They can use up the power coming from the car’s alternator and prevent the battery from charging. Also refrain from leaving the heat and the radio on while the car is idling. Let the power from the alternator charge the battery and power the electrical systems.
5.Disconnect the battery
If your car won’t be driven enough in the winters, disconnect the battery. Certain devices, such as clocks and alarm systems, continue to drain battery power even when the vehicle is off. In fact it’s a good practice in any season if the car is not being used for a long duration.
6.Battery Charge
Invest in a battery conditioner/charger if you mostly do short journeys or leave the car standing for days at a time. These devices can be left connected to the battery indefinitely and can prolong its life without overcharging it.
7.Avoid battery load
When parking the car, check that everything electrical is turned off including the interior light, boot light and radio.
Winters can be tiresome in many ways for keeping your car in the best condition. We recommend following the tips and doing regular battery and car service.
Also - here’s a bonus quick tip to start your car on a cold winter morning: Switch off all electrical devices and dip the clutch to reduce the load on the battery when you start a cold car.
Author Bio:
If you’re not sure Where to buy car battery that’s good quality quality at reasonable price, The Battery Place in Nambour, Queensland is your one stop solution. They have all kinds of batteries for cars, marine, heavy vehicles, agricultural vehicles and Maintenance free battery. They also deal in different types of battery accessories and battery services. Visit today or call for a pickup and drop service.