It’s an unfortunate fact for those of us who live where the temperature can drop below 32, car batteries don’t like the cold. If you’ve got an older battery in your vehicle this is especially true and you may find yourself stranded without any power. If you’d like to prevent this from happening to you, we’ve got a few tips that can help you and your vehicle’s battery make it through the winter season without any trouble.

Getting your battery checked by a professional will tell you how much power you still have left in your battery, and even at what temperature your car’s battery could freeze. If your battery is showing that it’s not going to reliably hold a charge for you this winter, save yourself the hassle of getting stuck and buy your car a new battery. Having a new battery will give you the peace of mind that you’ll be able to get wherever you need to go. And if it was showing a weak charge the battery wasn’t going to last you much longer anyway even in warmer months.

Your car’s battery is charged while you drive. So if you’re concerned about your battery running out of power on you, take your car for a 10-minute drive every day. Think of it as giving your car exercise in the winter; drive it to the store, to the park to walk your dog, or just a few times around the block. As long as your car has the opportunity to run consistently for 10-20 minutes, you’ll be able to keep some level of charge in your battery.

We don’t all have access to a garage, but if you do, make sure you park your car in there over the winter. Move the boxes, ping pong table, or whatever else you have taking up space in your garage and get your car in there. Not only will you not have to scrape frost off your windshield, but you’ll also be protecting your battery as well.

The cold is annoying for several reasons, but if you plan ahead, and prepare yourself for cold temperatures, you can mitigate the negative impact it has on your life. So keep your car warm, drive it a little way every day, and if you need a new battery, now is the time to get it. 

Book an appointment with Warrenton Auto today and we’ll give it a thorough check so you feel confident taking it out on the roads these chilly days.