Car Battery Care in Winters

It’s a long commute to work and if you don’t get out in time you will surely be late. So you rush through your breakfast and hurry towards your car. You strap yourself in and turn the key but nothing happens! This would probably be your worst nightmare on a cold winter morning. The culprit of course would be a dead car battery. But how, you wonder. After all it’s shown no signs of dying so far. While most people think that cars don’t have anything to do with the weather, truth is weather does indeed affect our cars’ performance. Especially battery performance.

Reason for the battery’s reduced performance

For starters, cars need to be cranked harder in cold weather. This, in turn, means the starter motor draws more power from the battery than it is supposed to, thereby draining it quicker than normal. Adding to this is the fact that cold weather also affects the battery directly by reducing its ability to produce electric current needed to turn the starter motor. Indeed research indicates that at zero degree Celsius, the battery’s ability to generate power drops by as much as 20 per cent. Of course in a country like India where winters are mild in many regions, this may not be of great signifi cance. But it could make a difference for sure in many places where winters can be harsh, especially in northern India and in the Himalayas.

 

The best way to avoid your car not starting in the morning is to do the following

• Keep your car in the garage: This will protect it from the cold.cAs a result starting it will be aclot easier, thereby putting lesscstrain on thebattery.
• Ensure your battery water level is always topped up: If you have a ‘Standard’ or ‘Low Maintenance’ battery, you should remove the filter cap and check the water level every month. Make sure it is topped up with distilled water to just above the plates.

 

 

• Make sure the battery is not loose: Vibrations can cause damage to battery plates. Ensure terminals are cleaned regularly.
• Listen for early warning sounds: If you hear a grinding sound from the motor when you start the car, contact a battery specialist.
• Check the age of your battery: Older car batteries are more likely to malfunction in winter. If your battery is more than three years old it may need replacing.
• Handle with care: For your own safety we recommend you have a your battery checked and tested by a professional
• Battery charger: When using a battery regenerator, connect it to the vehicle battery as a precautionary measure. Impulse generated by the unit can prevent or reduce the usual ageing sulphating effects in the battery.
• Battery tray: Make sure that your battery is fit snugly within its carriage tray. This helps to ensure that the connections do not end up becoming loose or the battery becomes damaged in some way.

How to jump start your car

In case your car's battery is completely discharged you can still get the car to start. This can be done by jump tarting the car, using the battery of another car for power. You must remember however that the other car's battery must have the same voltage rating. You also need jump cables that will connect your car battery to the other battery. You could also push start your car in gear. For an automatic transmission, jump starting may be your only option. (Caution: A charging battery produces hydrogen, which is explosive. So allow proper ventilation and take all necessary steps to reduce chances of sparks.)