During the winter, our cars are expected to work harder than ever before. They need to start first time, warm us up as quickly as possible and safely get us from A to B.
This means that when it’s cold and damp outside and you’re late for work or the school run, the last thing you want is to discover that your car won’t start. If this was to happen, invariably it will be down to an issue with the battery.
An automotive battery is a rechargeable battery that supplies an initial zap of electrical energy to your vehicle in order for its electrical components to work and to start your car’s engine. You can have the fanciest paint job, the most expensive tyres and all the upgrades and mod cons you could think of, but without a battery, your car isn’t going anywhere.
Winter worry
In the winter, your car’s battery has to deliver more current than usual for the starter motor to be able to start the engine. The colder weather has us automatically turning on the heater, heated windscreens and seats, the wipers, the lights, all of which also rely on your car’s battery to operate and use up a lot of its power.
Yet low temperatures have a big effect on the chemical process that takes place inside the battery in order to produce and store electricity. Even if you do get your car to start, your battery will find it more difficult to recharge when you’re driving. Simply put, the cold reduces your battery’s ability to produce and hold charge.
So what can be done to prevent a dead battery this winter?
Here are M&BM Motors’ top tips:
Get your battery checked
When your car gets serviced, clamps and connections to the battery will be automatically checked by your garage. However, if it’s been months since your car’s last service, it would be worth taking it in for a winter check to ensure that these components are secure and corrosion-free.
Charge your battery regularly
If you drive a decent distance on a regular basis, you probably won’t need to charge your battery. However, regular, short trips can play havoc with your car’s battery. It has to work hard to start your engine in the cold weather, and then doesn’t have enough time to recharge during the drive.
Charging your battery is easy – you can easily find and buy an intelligent battery charger or modern battery conditioner from your local auto specialist or online.
The RAC recommends that if you tend to use your car for short trips, you charge your battery on a weekly basis during the winter months to stop if from going flat.
Switch off loads
Your battery has to produce electrical energy to start a range of components in your car. Remember to turn off your exterior and interior lights, windscreen wipers, radio and heater before your turn off your engine at the end of a trip. This will reduce the amount of power your battery will have to deliver the next time you turn the ignition.
It is also important to note that certain electrical components in your car can place high demands on the battery whilst you are driving. These include heated seats and heated windows, as well as certain mp3 players, iPods, SatNavs and in-car DVD players. Ideally, don’t use them any longer than you need to.
Park in a sheltered spot
Many of us don’t have a choice when it comes to parking – it’s either a drive or street and that’s it. But if you do have a garage, we suggest you use it over the winter months. Sheltering your car from low temperatures can protect your battery from draining.
Replace your battery
If your battery is more than five years old, it is likely that it is weaker and less likely to hold charge effectively at the best of times. In the winter, this could spell disaster as the cold temperatures will reduce a weak battery’s performance even further.
If you are finding that your vehicle’s battery is struggling to hold its charge, it’s time to replace it. It may cost you initially, but surely it’s better than finding yourself stranded with no power in sub-zero temperatures?
If you think it’s time to replace your vehicle’s battery, M&BM Motors can help. Simply call us today on 01375 379 401 to book an appointment with one of our technicians.
