Dropping out of an area below 0 °C during the winter may sound familiar. You start your car, but nothing happens. The cold can have a devastating effect on the batteries of our cars. Therefore, follow these winter car battery maintenance tips to make sure your car battery is ready.
Cold Weather Affects Vehicle Batteries
Cold weather can destroy your battery. Most vehicles start with a 12-volt battery that powers the engine. While the car is in motion, the alternator charges the battery so that it can start your vehicle the next time. However, car batteries lose performance when the temperature drops below 0°C and can even lose half of their performance when the temperature drops below 18°C.
How to Prevent the Cold Weather From Damaging Your Car Battery?
- Testing of your Car Battery
If you’re not sure about the condition of your car’s battery, it’s important to service your car regularly, especially before the winter season comes. You can have an expert test your car’s battery at home or in a store. The most commonly used flooded lead-acid batteries in automobiles can use devices such as hydrometer and digital DC voltmeters to accurately measure specific weight and battery voltage.
- Checking of Battery Connections
They need to be in good condition, firmly attached to the hold down and clean. While you are wearing personal protective equipment, you can use a stiff wire brush to remove the corrosion. See Safety First here for step-by-step directives and safety tips for vehicle battery maintenance.
- Use These Helpful Tips for the Winter Season
During a short trip, the alternator may not be able to fully charge the battery, and the partially discharged battery either freezes the next time the key is turned or does not have enough power to start the car. One easy thing you can do to protect your battery is to turn off the interior lights and unplug accessories when you’re not driving. Nothing discharges a car’s battery as fast as a room light that stays on for a long time in winter.
Storing Your Car For Winter Season
If you park your car during the winter or do not drive when it snows, be sure to use the trickle charger to charge it. A fully charged battery can withstand a wider temperature range than a partially discharged battery. In general, a fully charged lead-acid battery will not freeze until it reaches a very low temperature. However, for a partially discharged battery, the freezing temperature will be much higher.
Do You Need a New Car Battery?
One of the most important factors to consider is the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) of the car battery. CCA is a measure of amperage that a battery can supply at 0°F for 30 seconds without falling below 7.2V. For reliable performance, it is important to replace the vehicle battery with a CCA rating equal to or higher than the original battery.
Have your battery checked by our car experts here at HEART Certified Auto Care, and get ready for the winter season. Contact us now to book an appointment!