Car Battery Tips for Winter

No one likes the inconvenience and delay a dead car battery can cause. Unfortunately, not all vehicles indicate how much charge is left in the car’s battery. In addition, there is also the potential for a battery to simply go bad without warning, consequently leaving you stranded. Extremes in temperature are especially hard on batteries, and during the winter, a fully charged battery is essential for starting the car. The following tips will assist you in ensuring your battery starts the vehicle. Most importantly, if your car’s battery is nearing the end of its lifespan and is weak, replace it before winter arrives to avert a dead battery stranding you. Contact Fifth Gear Automotive auto repair shops in Lewisville, TX for auto battery replacement today.

  1. Park your vehicle away from the direction of the cold winter wind. If you have a garage, park your vehicle in it, and close the doors. It may mean your vehicle cranks in the morning, and you won’t have the hassle of scraping ice or frost from the windshield.
  2. As a rule of thumb, the more accessories you use, the more power your car will pull from the battery. When you start the car, ensure all accessories are off completely. Alternately, turn everything off before shutting it down the day before is an alternative. Cold temperatures can drain the battery more rapidly, and turning off every possible accessory may mean the difference between arriving to work on time or not. In addition, give the car time to warm up, before placing the load of unnecessary accessories on it.
  3. While the odds of a frozen battery are about nil in Texas, a weak battery can be weakened further due to increased electrical resistance in cold temperatures. If your car isn’t starting, give it some assistance with a jump start. However, it’s crucial to follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to avoid an explosion, damage to your vehicles sensitive electronics and computer systems, or injury to yourself. Contact a Fifth Gear Automotive ASE certified mechanic in our auto repair shops in Lewisville, TX for a solution to your battery problems.
  4. Low temperatures also thicken the oil increasing the battery workload. Furthermore, dirt, grime, and battery corrosion on the battery terminals can add to electrical resistance. Corrosion results in the accumulation of a white powdery substance around the terminals. Fortunately, cleaning is easy with an old toothbrush, some water and a box of baking soda. Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of warm water and scrub the terminals with the mixture. Wipe dry and apply anti-corrosion available at any auto parts center. The solution prevents corrosion effectively for an extended period of time. Our mechanics can also provide battery maintenance during your annual inspection and maintenance service in our  auto repair shops in Lewisville, TX.
  5. The majority of auto batteries will die just before or after the anticipated lifespan. For example, it isn’t uncommon for a 36 month battery to fail within a few months after or before the 36 month period is up. However, frequent drains on the battery, due to leaving the lights on, for example, can reduce the battery lifespan. As a general rule of thumb, replace the aging battery about 3 months before the coverage ends, or winter begins. We can take care of battery replacement for you in our auto repair shops in Lewisville, TX.
  6. It’s far easier to replace a battery that hasn’t failed on your own schedule, than to call for roadside assistance after it dies. Some computer control systems will maintain programming for a short period of time, but a dead battery overnight , is likely to require reprogramming of some systems. Contact us today to schedule battery replacement or other automotive services in our auto repair shops in Lewisville, TX  today.

Contact Fifth Gear Automotive to schedule service, or bring your car to our auto repair shops in Lewisville, TX. Our ACE certified mechanics offer a wide range of professional automotive services and the expertise you can rely on time after time.