If you live in an area where winter weather gets cold, you might have experienced the frustration of trying to start your vehicle in the morning and realizing that the battery has died. There’s nothing quite as annoying as having your daily plans and commute interrupted by needing to get your vehicle jumpstarted.
The cold is known to wreak havoc on automotive batteries, and can significantly cut their lifespans short. However, there are a few steps you can take to give your battery the best chance at making it through the winter season.
Why Does Cold Hurt Car Batteries?
Automotive batteries are chemical based, and those chemicals are sensitive to the extreme cold. For one, the battery acid itself can begin to freeze internally, causing them to expand and potentially causing damage to the battery cells.
The chemical reaction that produces electricity from the battery is also vulnerable, as cold temperatures can cause the reaction to slow down considerably and reduce the battery’s power output.
How To Protect Your Battery Through The Winter
While the cold will always have an effect on automotive batteries, there are a few things you can do to keep it protected and prevent yourself from becoming stranded.
Drive Your Vehicle Regularly
One of the easiest ways to prevent your battery from dying is to ensure the car is being driven consistently, keeping the battery charged and ensuring it won’t drain entirely between drives.
Experts recommend driving your vehicle at least 30 minutes every week to give your battery the charge it needs to make it through the cold weather.
Park Your Car In a Protected Area
Storing your vehicle in an enclosed space or garage will help insulate it from the outside weather, keeping the battery from getting too cold. Even if you don’t have a garage, parking it in any covered or enclosed spot can help keep the cold out and the charge in.
Use a Trickle Charger
If you’re planning on leaving your car stored for a longer amount of time, or won’t be driving it regularly throughout the winter, it’s a good idea to hook your battery up to a trickle charger. Trickle chargers assist in keeping the battery charged by supplying small amounts of electricity over time.
Keep An Eye On Your Battery Connections
While this issue isn’t attributed to cold weather, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your battery’s terminals and cables to ensure there isn’t debris or corrosion preventing it from making a strong connection. Catching corrosion or cable issues early on can help you avoid unforeseen electrical issues that could leave you stranded.
Electrical System Services in Whitestone, NY
If you’re in need of service or repair on your vehicle’s battery or electrical system, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Parkway Service Center in Whitestone, New York. Our technicians have the expertise and equipment needed to provide your vehicle with top-notch electrical diagnostics, maintenance, and repair!
Give us a call or schedule online to secure your appointment with the premier automotive electrical repair facility in the Whitestone area!