Winter is a season when cold products such as snow, frost, and wind hinder our comfort, which is more so for those living in the colder regions of the world. As much as we want to make sure that we are well covered from the harsh cold, we also want to make sure that for the little time we spend in our cars, they work as expected. The other crucial area within car maintenance during winter is always checking on the batteries of the vehicle. In this article, we will overview the necessity of winter battery checks and how to best get your car ready for winter.

Battery care plays an important role in periods of cold weather.

A car battery is referred to as the power pack of the car because it supplies the electrical current that starts the engine and runs other relevant features like the radio, lights, and heating system. Cold affects the battery through chemical reactions, lowering the effectiveness and ability to start a car in those conditions. In extreme cases, the battery might not charge the engine, a stage known as battery death. To avoid such occurrences and for cars to run efficiently during the winter season, winter battery care is crucial.

Signs of a Failing Battery

Some signs that your battery might be failing include:

  1. Difficulty starting the car
  2. Dim headlights
  3. The cranking speed of the engine is lower than before
  4. The Check Engine light is on
  5. The headlight connectors were corroded on the battery terminals

If you get to know these warning signs, you will notice any problems that your battery might be having to be more serious during the cold weather.

Preparation for winter

To ensure your battery is in optimal condition during the winter months, consider the following steps:

Clean the battery terminals

The battery terminals tend to develop corrosion, which hampers the flow of power in the battery. Scrub the terminal with a brush dipped in baking soda and water to remove any deposits in order to get a perfect connection.

Check the battery’s charge

In winter, a battery that has been discharged has a higher chance of freezing. If you want to check your car battery, then the right tool to use is a car battery tester. If it is below the 12.6 volts, then charge the battery or replace it.

Insulate the battery

The battery loses its efficiency power due to the cold weather because the battery fluids are likely to freeze. This can be prevented by insulating the battery. In winter, you can warm the battery using a battery blanket or a piece of foam rubber next to the battery.

Check the battery connections

Loose or corroded battery connections can always pose a very big threat to the electrical performance of any vehicle. Cables and battery terminal ends should be checked for corrosion, and connections should be tight.

Use a battery maintainer

A battery maintainer is a device that charges the battery all the time so that the battery is always in top state of charge condition. It is most running during the cold seasons when the battery is at its lowest charge as a result of extended periods in the car.

Avoid draining the battery

Do not allow the car battery to discharge during winter. In cold temperatures, the short journeys are stressful for the battery because it will be left with little electricity power. To avoid this, it is required to run the car for extended intervals of time, or you use a battery charger to keep the battery in check.

Battery-Care-experts

Are Your Car Ready for Cold Weather?

In addition to winter battery care, there are several other steps you can take to prepare your car for cold weather:

Check tire pressure

For example, when the temperature gets very low, the tire pressure also decreases, and this evidently affects the traction of the fuel economy. This should be done frequently, especially when one realizes that the tires are fitted at low pressure.

Check the antifreeze

One way to prevent the engine from freezing is to check the cooling system and be sure the right proportions of the mixture so the system is topped off.

Check the concentrations of the washer fluid and inspect and remove, if necessary, the wiper blades.

Also, if your wiper blades aren’t up to scratch, then check them out and replace them when needed. Also, make sure you pour a windshield washer fluid with antifreeze into the washer fluid reservoir to avoid freezing.

Change the oil

Think about switching to winter-grade oil: it is less viscous than regular oil and, therefore, will be easier on your car during low temperatures.

Check the brakes

In very cold conditions, the brake fluids can freeze, so make sure your brakes work before you go out.