Winter can be a challenging season for your car battery. It’s cold, and your car doesn’t get used as often. Here are some tips to help keep your battery in the best condition during this time of year.
Keep Your Battery at Its Strongest
The best way to keep your battery at its strongest is by keeping it charged. If you want to ensure your car is good to go all winter, don’t let it sit for long periods without starting it up. Also, use a block heater if you live in an area where temperatures can go below freezing.
Keep a trickle charger on your battery when parked to prevent it from freezing. When the weather starts warming up again, check with an auto parts store about installing a maintenance-free battery or one with a built-in solar charger.
Also, try not to let your car’s temperature get too hot (even in warmer climates). This puts more strain on the machine that powers your vehicle.
Don’t Leave Your Car Out in the Cold for Too Long
After you buy used cars Calgary, don’t let them sit out in the cold for so long. Cold temperatures can damage the battery. So keep an eye on it when you park your car and ensure to move it into a garage once the mercury starts dropping. If you must leave your car outside, start it up and let the engine run for about 5 minutes once a week or so to keep things from freezing up.
If you have an older model without much juice left in its tank (or if yours is one of those fancy hybrids), don’t risk leaving your vehicle out overnight. Doing so can kill the battery.
Inspect and Clean the Terminals (Posts) Of Your Battery
It’s essential to look at the quality of the electrical connections. The terminals can get dirty over time, block airflow or electrically short out if left unattended. Use a wire brush to remove any corrosion from them. But don’t use sandpaper or other abrasive materials that might damage them further. Also, don’t turn on power tools while cleaning your battery posts.
Power tools can create sparks that could lead to an explosion. Avoid using a battery cleaner with acid in it, as this will only make matters worse. Lastly, don’t clean the terminal posts connected to anything like your car engine or starter motor. You could damage those components.
Replace If It’s Old
There are several signs that your car battery is nearing the end of its life. If you notice any of the following issues, it’s time to replace your battery.
- Your headlights flicker when you start the car
- The interior lights go dim when you turn on the engine
- The radio goes off or on by itself while driving
If your vehicle has one of these problems, it’s best to get a new battery immediately. Old batteries can also cause other issues with electrical components in your car, like headlights, power windows, and more. A new one will ensure all these things work properly when you need it the most, like during an emergency.
The winter months can be particularly hard on the car you buy from used car dealers Calgary AB. Even if you don’t have to drive in the snow, cold temperatures can make it harder for your battery to start up. But if you take care of your vehicle during these conditions, it’ll run like new, no matter the weather.
