Easy Winter Tips for Car Battery Maintenance

Be it powering your headlights or revving up the engine; car batteries are responsible for it all. In modern cars, batteries also support complicated driver-assistance features and added lighting. An automotive cell is the life of your vehicle and requires care and maintenance.

Despite being the powerhouse of your vehicle, automotive batteries have a limited lifespan. Every car battery requires replacement in 3 to 5 years from its installation. Predicting the exact time for the replacement of an automotive battery can be difficult. Still, if you perform simple observation, you can avoid being stuck with a dead car battery accidentally.

Following are the most typical signs of battery death –

Dim or Flickering Headlights

Batteries are the source of power for your car’s headlights, rear lights and interior lights. In case of any defect in the cell, the amount of power needed for headlights to glow brightly cannot be supplied. While revving up your vehicle’s engine, you might sometimes notice a flicker in the headlights. A visible decrease in their brightness is also a common sign that you need a new car battery.

Clicking Sounds during Start-Up

As you turn the key in the ignition, the battery of your car receives a signal to send power to the starter solenoid. Once the starter solenoid receives the required power, it converts it into a form of energy that the engine can use. If your vehicle’s cell has aged and is weak, it will not be able to supply the desired amount of power to the starter solenoid, thereby resulting in the production of clicking sounds from the solenoid. If you hear any irregular sounds during engine, contact a car battery service provider immediately.

Slow-Cranking Engine

If you experience slow cranks while turning your car on, your battery has probably aged and is unable to supply the regular amount of power to your car’s engine. In such cases, you will need to get a new car battery.

Backfiring

With age, a battery can produce intermittent sparks in the fuel cylinder of your vehicle. Ultimately, the fuel accumulates in the cylinder and burns suddenly as you turn on the ignition. This causes significant backfiring. However, remember that backfiring can be indicative of other faults in your car if you have a healthy battery.

Corrosion

Corroded battery terminals are not uncommon. However, increased corrosion indicates battery damage. Corrosion is usually observable in the form of a solid bluish-green deposit, a white powdery deposit or a transparent film. While slight corrosion can be cleared by greasing the terminals, it is only a temporary solution. Getting a new car battery is the ideal permanent solution.

Frequent Jumpstarts

In the winters, jumpstarting your car in the morning might not be uncommon. After long parking hours, cars need jumpstarts for the battery to regain its charge. However, if you have to jumpstart your vehicle every day, there is some defect in your car’s battery, and it needs car battery service.

Physical Damage

Due to frequent discharge of the cell, especially during winters, temperature fluctuations occur within it. These temperature alterations cause the case of your car battery to swell. If you notice unusual swelling of the battery, you shouldn’t wait one moment to get it replaced.

Other signs such as scratches or marks on the battery case are also indicative of its damage and eventual death.

Unusual Odour

Almost all automotive batteries contain sulfur in some form in their electrolytes. As battery ages, leakage and evaporation of the electrolyte become common. With leakage, a strong rotten egg-like odour is often noticeable from the battery. This odour is strong enough to permeate the hood of your car sometimes.

Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Battery

Get Winter Ready

Before winters, your battery endures the sweltering heat of the summers. This can cause strain on the battery and weaken it. It is always a good idea to get your battery checked right before winter and have a new car battery installed from a reputed car battery service provider.

Avoid Parking for Extended Periods

Avoiding long parking hours can save your battery from sudden death. While overnight parking is also responsible for battery discharge, avoid parking your car for unusually long hours during the day or keeping it locked in the garage for days. Keeping your car parked for too long is bad enough. Add to it the freezing temperature and you could end up with ruined tires, a damaged engine, and a dead battery.

Keep the Battery Clean

Clean and corrosion-free batteries tend to last longer than their dirty counterparts. The accumulation of debris and dirt on your car battery is not uncommon. Wiping it once in a while with a dry or a lightly damp cloth can avoid buildup. You can also occasionally check if the terminals are tight enough and clean any minor corrosion.

If you notice any signs of battery death during your pre-winter check, you must get it checked and f needs be, get a new car battery by professionals like Car Fit Experts to get your car battery checked and replaced. At  Car Fit experts, our professionals use the best-quality Amaron and Exide Car Batteries to replace your existing one. We take utmost care of your car and give you the highest degree of professionalism. Our procedures are carried out by highly –trained professionals in line with international-safety standards. We even offer doorstep services to maximise convenience. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today!