Pre-Winter Car Battery Maintenance: Steps to Ensure Reliability in the Cold

Tuesday 23 April 2024

Winter is fast approaching, making this the perfect time to give your vehicle some much-needed TLC before the cold weather arrives. In addition to taking care of your tyres, car battery maintenance should be high on the agenda.

Failure to take a proactive approach to protecting your car battery may lead to a number of problems including reduced performance, efficiency, and reliability. Thankfully, though, it only takes a few simple steps to stay on top and enjoy a better driving experience throughout the colder season. Here’s all you need to know.

Understanding Your Car Battery

Car batteries are made up of several components. The most common type of battery is a secondary cell battery while the key parts are;

• The case, which houses the battery.
• A lid that can be lifted to see inside the case.
• Battery terminals, a positive and negative, that connect the battery to vehicle electricals.
• Plates, again using a positive and negative, that link each component to the battery cells.
• Battery separator that separates the positive and negative plates.
• Battery acid that allows the battery to start a reaction when you turn the car on.

Meanwhile, the functions of a car battery include starting the engine, regulating voltage, storing power, and running other electrical components. Naturally, then, car batteries are a vital part of the vehicle.

They perform best at around 27°C while they may also have to work harder to power the vehicle in cold weather. For this reason, staying vigilant and adopting a proactive approach to maintenance is essential.

Signs of Battery Wear and Tear

Early identification of potential car battery problems will naturally allow you to save time and money on any repairs. If you notice any of the following signs of battery degradation, it’s probably best to take action;

• Slow engine starts - if you struggle to start the engine or hear a clicking sound, the can battery is struggling to crank the engine. This is a clear symptom of low power and may require a jump start. Left untreated, will soon result in a dead battery.
• Dim headlights - the battery powers the electronics as well as the engine. Given that the electronics are used more often in winter, this is a time when you may notice that the intensity of your headlights, heaters, and electric windows falls. Do not ignore it.
• Dashboard warnings - if the battery symbol on your dashboard lights up, it could be due to several issues including the cabling, alternator, or starter terminal. You may be able to keep driving for a short while, but your car battery is on borrowed time.

In addition to responding to the clear signs of wear and tear, it’s worth conducting visual inspections of the car battery at this time of year. Any signs of corrosion are a clear sign of problems.

Essential Pre-Winter Battery Maintenance Steps

Whether the car battery has shown signs of potential faults or you simply want to stay on top of the situation to prevent future problems, pre-winter maintenance is advised. In addition to the visual inspection of the casing and terminals for visible corrosion, several simple steps will help your cause. They are;

Step One: Test the Battery

A simple battery test to check the voltage will quickly let you know whether the item is in good health or not. You can do this using a multimeter. When the vehicle is turned off, healthy batteries will show 12.6v. This does increase by around 1-2v when running.

Step Two: Clean the Connectors

If you have spotted early signs of corrosion, you can clean the battery terminals. Baking soda will neutralise the acid, thus allowing you to clean the connectors with a toothbrush and vinegar. After the chemical reaction, clean cotton swabs will wipe away the dirt.

Step Three: Check the Charging System

Car battery problems are often linked to the alternator. You can check it with a multimeter while confirming that the drive belt is tight should be on the agenda too. When testing the alternator, do it with the vehicle off and on.

Step Four: Insulate the Battery

As already stated, the car battery performs better at around 27°C. At 0°C, batteries lose roughly one-third of their power, which will lead to power problems and the need for car servicing. A battery insulation jacket is a key upgrade for the winter months.

Step Five: Keep the Battery Charged

Finally, you need to keep the battery charged, especially if you do not use the car that often in the winter. A weekly 30-minute drive should suffice in most situations. You should also ensure that everything is switched off when you park the vehicle.

When to Replace a Battery

As a rule of thumb, car batteries should last 3-4 years, although their lifespan may be longer or shorter depending on several issues like how far and regularly you drive. Regardless of how long your product will last, timing the replacement is vital for the sake of your driving experiences as well as your finances.

The harsh reality is that any of the signs of wear and tear, ranging from dashboard indications to cranking noises may signal the beginning of the end for your battery. You should also consider a replacement if;

• You have recently charged the battery and encountered problems within a matter of weeks.
• The car’s stop-start system no longer works.
• The battery case has become misshapen due to high-temperature exposure.
• You have noticed a leak from the car battery, which suggests it has been overcharged or damaged.
• The battery smells of acid, which also makes it a fire hazard.

Replacing the battery will require a small expense but is quite simple to do. And if you take proper care of the new product using some of the maintenance steps above, you should find that it lasts for five years or longer.

Conclusion

Proactive maintenance ahead of the winter season will go a long way to prolonging the life and efficiency of your car battery, which is why now is the perfect time to look for signs of damage. In many cases, you will be able to rectify the issues before you find yourself stuck on the driveway in a vehicle that won’t start. If you still feel uncertain, though, a professional battery check is the best way to gain clear answers and the peace of mind that you deserve.

To arrange a professional battery check and general servicing in time for winter, contact the All Coast Tyres team today!