Keep an Eye on Your Car Battery During the Cold Weather Months

The winter months are fast approaching which means soon you will need to winterize your vehicle. To avoid finding yourself faced with a dead battery in the cold winter temperatures, be sure to take these simple steps to keep your car battery up and running all winter long.

Simple Care Tips for Your Car Battery

We all know full well that the battery in our cars does not operate at its highest levels in the cold weather temperatures. However, when you engage in proper care for your battery then rest assured it will perform as needed in the brisk winter weather. The team here at Auto Clinic of Franklin wants to share some simple tips for proper car battery care that are sure to help you extend its lifespan and enhance the performance of your battery this winter.

• Parking your vehicle inside – Parking your vehicle in a covered area will help to keep your battery operating effectively. Parking your vehicle in an attached garage that shares heat from your home is the best way to protect your battery. However, if you have an unattached covered area for parking, it will still have a positive impact on your battery because of the heat that is trapped inside during the daytime hours.
• Don’t add to the startup challenge with car accessories – When it is cold outside it typically takes more power for your vehicle’s engine to power up. To alleviate some of this challenge we highly recommend that you power off vehicle accessories such as wipers, heaters, and lights. This will keep your car battery from experiencing reduced power. You can power them all back on once the vehicle has started.
• Invest in a cold weather battery – If your battery is more than four years old it is wise to replace it before the frigid cold temperatures set in. This may be the ideal time to choose a cold weather car battery equipped with higher cranking amps needed in the cold. Cold weather batteries easily outperform typical everyday batteries in the winter months. Surely, it would be a good and safe investment.
• Be sure to start the vehicle every day – Most cars are able to withstand zero temperatures in the winter months when sitting overnight. However, it is imperative that you not allow your vehicle in the wintertime to sit for extended days or even weeks since that will most assuredly present you with a problem. Not only will the battery discharge on its own, but if it becomes entirely depleted the sub-zero temperatures can cause the battery case to crack and can also result in connections that become damaged.
• Be sure to use a battery charger – By far one of the most important tips of all, a battery charger is the perfect solution for your car battery that needs attention. Whether it is simply being impacted by cold temperatures, or if you had to store the car for an extended period of time, a charger will prove to be the perfect solution to your battery problems. If you park your vehicle in a garage, you’ll have no issues accessing a plug. However, parking outdoors under a covering may pose somewhat of a challenge.
• Last but not least, inspect your battery for corrosion – Often times corrosion occurs around battery clamps and cables. This can cause an obstruction of the flow of electricity to the battery and result in poor engine performance. It is important that you take time out to clean around the battery and remove any corrosion.

Sum It Up

Here at Auto Clinic of Franklin, our team of highly skilled and experienced automotive technicians is steadfast in their commitment to provide only the highest quality automotive services and parts this side of the state. For more information on proper car battery care for the winter months, to have one of our technicians inspect and check out your battery or for a battery replacement take time out to connect with our team today. Winter is fast approaching so don’t delay. Schedule your service appointment today to avoid those winter woes!