Starting your ignition in the warmer months is as easy as a summer breeze, but dealing with car batteries in cold weather is a completely different story. Batteries during the winter are subject to much harsher conditions, and are at an increased risk of failing, as a result. Because summer weather really does have a role to play, the drastic change in temperature during winter can cause a multitude of automobile issues that are frustrating to fix.
To help you avoid these complications, here are some reasons why your battery is more prone to failure in the winter, and some tips that you can implement to protect your car’s engine when the weather gets cold.
Understanding the Relationship Between Cold Weather and Battery Health
Let’s take a closer look at weather and car batteries. Understanding the relationship between the cold weather and your battery starts with understanding the role warm weather plays. Within lead acid batteries are lead plates submerged in electrolyte liquid. This environment creates an electro-chemical reaction that produces a charge to the battery terminals. While summer heat accelerates this chemical activity, it also speeds up the internal corrosion of the cells which in turn reduces the lifespan of your battery.
This heat has a larger role to play when the cold months come around. The warm weather of the summer can actually accelerate internal battery corrosion and evaporate the electrolytes that your battery relies on.
But, just as heat speeds up this reaction, colder temperatures therefore slow it down, and cause your car’s battery to become sluggish and less responsive. So, does cold weather drain car batteries? Slightly, but what this really means is that your car’s battery has less ability to provide sufficient power to start and run the vehicle. However, these complications can be avoided, and knowing how to maintain your car battery is most of the battle.
Maintaining Your Car Battery in Cold Weather
It is highly recommended that car owners start paying close attention to their batteries after three years of installation. The first thing you may notice if your battery is starting to go is that the car sounds sluggish when trying to start, which is a major warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored. This sluggishness doesn’t immediately mean the battery is about to die, and it’s advised to check the wires to make sure they are not broken, disconnected, or corroded.
Here are some other tips to consider for maintaining your car battery in cold weather:
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Address Corrosion
– Corrosion in your battery can deplete its charge, and also inhibit the electrical conduction that is responsible for starting your vehicle. By having a mechanic clean or remove the corrosion entirely, you can save the lifespan of your battery.
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Oil Changes
– It’s important to keep up with your scheduled oil changes, as this oil plays a huge part in keeping your battery and engine protected, particularly in the winter.
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Protect Battery in Summer
– Since much of the failure in the winter is a result of the summer heat, it’s hugely important to have regular checkups if something feels off, and to protect your battery when it’s warm.
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Protect Your Car
– Whether it’s using a car cover to avoid ice or snow, parking it in a garage, or minimizing battery usage overall, protecting your car goes a long way in its fight against the elements.
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Give Battery Time to Recharge
– Short drives and trips with frequent stopping doesn’t allow your car’s battery to recharge as it should. Going on a longer drive occasionally can do just that.
Best Roadside Service
Whether it’s charging a dead battery, a tire change, unlocking your car, or any roadside breakdown, Best Roadside Service has you covered for all your automobile needs on the road. Our emergency roadside assistance plans for consumers can get you back on the road and where you want to go, no matter the weather.
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