Sure, you don’t think about your vehicle’s battery when it’s summer, but if you know how to maintain it properly – wintertime can be much easier. These tips will help keep it at peak performance. Plus, you’re going to help keep the inside of your car as warm as possible! As you probably know, cold weather affects the performance of your vehicle’s electrical systems. Even worse, freezing temperatures can damage tires and harm the bodywork, engine, and essential systems. The last thing you want is to break down in the middle of winter, but it does sometimes happen, and when it does, you will need assistance from a towing company like Doug Yates Towing & Recovery.
WINTER Temperature CAN AFFECT the performance of your battery
Temperature plays an important role in the performance of your battery. A battery’s life span is reduced by high temperatures and increased by low temperatures. The colder it gets outside, the longer your car will last on a single charge. Colder temperatures also cause less damage over time, which means that you can extend the life of your battery with proper care.
Learn how to maintain your car battery
A battery should last around three to five years, but certain conditions can cause premature aging and failure of a battery:
- Overcharging or over-discharging (batteries do not like rapid or extreme changes in voltage)
- Excessive vibration from rough roads or driving over potholes (this can cause internal damage)
- Exposure to extreme heat or cold
Power off all car accessories when the engine is not running
Make sure all interior lights are turned off before exiting the vehicle. This includes dome lights, interior lights, and radio volume controls. When you turn off the engine, these accessories will continue to drain power from your battery as long as they remain on — even if you’re not using them! You may also want to consider purchasing a battery blanket that you can install around your car battery to provide extra warmth during cold winters.
Ensure interior car lights are all off before exiting the vehicle
This is similar to shutting off all accessories in your vehicle. Leaving any accessories on will continue to drain the battery even when the vehicle is off.
Perform periodic corrosion checks
Perform periodic corrosion checks, and if you see corrosion, scrub it off with a baking soda and water solution. This will prevent corrosion from spreading to other parts of your vehicle’s electrical system.
Battery Checks
Make sure the battery is tightly fastened, especially if you drive on bumpy roads (or live in an area with lots of snow). Even small vibrations can loosen connections between terminals and terminal posts over time, which could lead to poor performance or failure during cold temperatures.
When possible, store a car in a garage
When possible, store a car in a garage. This will help keep the battery warm enough so that it doesn’t lose power when you go out to start your car. If this isn’t possible, move your vehicle into an enclosed structure like a shed or garage before nightfall so that it doesn’t get too cold overnight. This will help reduce the times your engine has to start up during the winter. A car with an automatic transmission may need to be started every 2-3 weeks to keep the oil from congealing and causing damage to the internal parts of the transmission, but this is much better than having it start up every 1-2 days.
If Needed, Consider purchasing a Battery Blanket
The Battery Blanket is inexpensive to help protect your battery from extreme cold and heat conditions. The Battery Blanket works by insulating the top of your battery with high-density insulation foam. This insulation helps prevent excessive heat transfer from inside the engine compartment, which can cause damage to your battery. It also helps prevent excessive heat loss in colder temperatures, extending its life considerably.
The heat of the summer can also negatively affect your battery and alternator, making you more vulnerable to problems during the winter
The cold temperatures can make it difficult for your battery to start your vehicle. This is because batteries need a certain amount of heat to perform properly.
Need A Tow? Call Doug Yates Towing & Recovery Today!
It’s winter, and your car has been sitting in the garage for a few months. You’ve already ensured you have plenty of gas and oil, but what about your vehicle’s battery? The battery is one of the most important parts of your car, especially when it comes to starting the engine. It’s important to ensure that it works properly before you leave on your next adventure.
Here are some ways that winter can affect your vehicle’s battery:
- Cold weather can cause batteries to die more quickly than normal. This is because cold weather causes batteries to discharge faster than they normally do. If you aren’t using your car during the cold months, consider disconnecting or removing the battery from your vehicle until spring arrives.
- Winter temperatures can also cause corrosion on cables and terminals, which could lead to an electrical short in some cases. This is especially true if you live where salt is used on roadways during winter or snow storms. Salt corrodes metal, so if there is any leftover salt on cables or terminals, it could cause issues with your vehicle’s electrical system, which could lead to an electrical short if left unchecked for too long.
When you struggle with some of these things, you may need a helping hand from Doug Yates Towing & Recovery for Chattanooga roadside assistance. If you are far from a Doug Yates Towing & Recovery location, search for a towing service near me to get assistance.