The winter months are coming soon, and everything is easier when you’re prepared! Testing your car battery before winter is one important way to ensure reliable vehicle performance over the colder months. As the temperatures drop, car batteries have increased strain on them, which can cause problems that are often avoidable.
Why You Should Test Your Car Battery Before Winter
Testing your car battery before it gets too cold out is one of the best ways to avoid unforeseen car trouble. Here’s why it’s important to test before winter:
- Cold Weather Impact: Cold temperatures hinder the chemical reactions necessary for a battery to function effectively. As temperatures fall, the battery’s ability to hold a charge diminishes, and the vehicle requires more power to start due to thicker engine fluids and increased electrical demands from heating systems and lights.
- Prevent Unexpected Failures: A battery that may seem fine in warmer weather can fail unexpectedly in winter. If you test your battery in advance, you can find out if it’s weak and change it before it leaves you stranded in freezing weather. Most car batteries last for about 3-5 years. If you haven’t changed yours in a couple of years or more, it’s definitely time to have it checked!
- Safety and Convenience: It’s one thing for a battery to die on a warm, sunny day. But risking a dead battery on the side of the road in freezing weather can be dangerous. Take steps to prevent yourself from being stranded in dangerously cold weather!
How to Test Your Car Battery
The best and most trustworthy way to test your battery is to take it to a shop and have it checked with a professional battery tester. This measures its ability to conduct electricity and provides a clear indication of the battery’s health.
You can also perform DIY testing on your battery using a multimeter. To do this, set the multimeter to 15-20V DC voltage. Next, touch the probes to the correct battery terminals (positive to positive and negative to negative). A healthy battery should read at least 12.4 volts.
Keep in mind that if your battery reads 12.4V or more, that doesn’t automatically mean that it’s healthy. Testing the battery under a load can give you a more accurate picture of how your battery is doing. You can do this by turning on the headlights and the heater blower motor. However, it’s important to test cautiously in order to avoid excessively draining the battery.
In addition to testing with a multimeter, a visual inspection can also be helpful (though not conclusive) for determining the condition of your battery. Take a look to make sure there are no signs of corrosion, cracks, or leaks. Make sure all connections are tight and clean to prevent issues related to poor contact.
Other signs that could indicate an unhealthy battery include flickering dash lights and slower starts.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Batteries Before You Need Them
Although it may be tempting to get ahead of the game by buying an extra battery and storing it, this is actually not a great idea. Why not?
Firstly, batteries have a finite shelf life. They typically last about 3-5 years. If you purchase a battery too early and it sits for a while, it won’t be at full capacity when you really need it.
Secondly, batteries can cost anywhere from around $150-$400. For something you might not need, this can be a significant cost! In most cases, it’s more cost effective to simply have your battery tested regularly and save up for when you really need a new one.
Lastly, technology is always improving. Waiting until you need a new battery can help ensure that you get to take advantage of the newest, most efficient option.
What To Do If Your Car Battery Won’t Start
If you do find yourself on the side of the road with a dead battery, you may need to get a jump. For those in the Byron Center, MI area, we also offer service calls to help you get your car started and get it back to our shop, eliminating the need for calling a tow truck.
Prepare for Winter At Tillema Auto
Testing your car battery doesn’t have to be a big deal – but winding up on the side of the road with a dead battery in the winter CAN be a big deal. Regular maintenance is the best way to protect yourself from avoidable car troubles.
At Tillema Auto, our trustworthy mechanics are committed to the safety of our customers. We know that a reliable vehicle is vital for everyday life. From battery checks to alignments to new brakes, we’re here to make sure that your vehicle is ready for you.
Want to make sure you’re prepared for winter? Stop in to our service center, or give us a call at 616-878-5991.
