How to care for your car battery this winter
How to care for your car battery this winter
When Canadian zoos bring the Penguins inside, you know it’s time to get your car battery checked…
Following months of pristine weather conditions, the winter is finally upon is, with minus double-digit wind chills suddenly becoming the new norm. As a result, it’s important that you pay close attention to your vehicle’s battery, as the cold weather could negatively affect your battery’s useful life if you’re not careful.
Why do batteries perform worse in the winter?
Most drivers are aware that winter is typically the most dangerous time for their car’s battery, but aren’t exactly sure why.
When the weather is below zero for an extended period of time, your battery will take longer to perform the necessary chemical reactions to start your vehicle. Your engine also requires more power to get it started when it’s cold out, making your battery work much harder than it would on a nice spring day.
While it typically only occurs when the weather is well below zero for an extended period of time, your car battery can actually freeze on you. It’s unlikely that your battery will freeze if it’s fully charged, but a fully discharged battery can freeze at much higher temperatures.
Both of these reasons help to explain why your battery is at a higher risk of dying when it’s cold out, as all the extra work begins to put more and more strain on it as the winter months pass.
Have your battery tested
If you haven’t had your battery tested recently, it’s a good idea to go to your local dealership to have it looked at. The technicians will be able to determine how much juice is left in the battery, and let you know its current health situation.
Signs your battery is failing
While a dead battery can sometimes come as a bit of a shock, there are some warning signs to look out for.
If your headlights or dome lights begin to dim, that’s typically a telltale sign that your battery is losing power. A rotten smell, a cracked battery case, and/or your battery warning light turning on are also indications that something is wrong with your battery.
Finally, if your battery is more than three years old, you’re running a considerable risk by failing to have it checked out.
Prepare for the worst
If you’re the type of person who likes to plan for the worst-case scenario, it may be in your best interest to invest in either a booster pack or jumper cables. That way, if your battery does end up dying, at least you’ll have a backup plan.