Prepare Your Vehicle's Battery in Winter: Winter Car Servicing Tips to Reduce Breakdown Chances!

Winter is disastrous, taking a massive toll on vehicles without proper precautions. Batteries are one of the components that tend to lose their power in colder months, making battery collapse a common scenario in winter. However, their prevention is possible through a corrective approach to battery maintenance.

Rugged winter conditions and increased usage can be challenging for batteries, and in the UK, winter driving becomes a significant test for your car battery's reliability. But there's some good news! With adequate winter car servicing and the required preparation, the chances of a breakdown are reduced.

Do you believe the batteries are the primary cause of vehicles' breakdowns in winter? If so, keep reading to learn why batteries struggle and discover the best winter car servicing tips!

Reasons for a Struggling Car Battery in Winter

Batteries are highly sensitive components that are significantly affected by cold snaps. Below are the primary reasons for car batteries struggling:

• Headlights, heated seats, heaters, and defrosters boost electrical demand in winter.
• Frigid temperature minimises the chemical reaction inside the battery, decreasing its potential for power generation.
• A deteriorated or old battery may cease to function entirely in icy conditions.
• Engine oil solidifies at sub-zero temperatures, which makes it challenging to turn the engine over.

A faulty or flat battery is the most common cause of breakdowns. That's why you must prepare your vehicle's battery before the winter season strikes.

Winter Car Servicing Tips to Minimise Battery Breakdown Chances

Follow the tips below:

Tip #1. Book a Pre-Winter Battery Replacement

Is the car battery about to die soon? If so, never wait until it deters the car from starting during a cold winter morning. Replacement is the best idea before winter sets in to protect yourself from the hassles of a struggling vehicle. Below are some of the significant signs of battery replacement:

• Dashboard warning light.
• The battery is much older than 4-5 years.
• The engine cranks intermittently or slowly.
• The battery case is leaking or has become bulged.
• Headlights dim during an idle situation.

Although today's car batteries don't indicate these failure signs, they stop functioning immediately. Are you unsure of the battery's performance in winter? If so, it will always be better to book a pre-winter battery replacement from a reliable garage in Coventry!

Tip #2. Book a Winter Vehicle Servicing Beforehand

The most vital step in battery preparation for winter is to hire a professional winter car service in Coventry. Here, the mechanics will assess the battery's overall health, charge-consumption capacity, and voltage output using suitable diagnostic equipment. The technicians also consider battery age, loose connections, or rust, as well as alternator performance, to understand the cause of the battery's decreased performance.

Although winter car servicing is not primarily about battery health checks and replacements, technicians verify the complete performance of the vehicle. They check air conditioning, gearbox, lights, horn, tyres, windscreen, wipers, suspension, steering, auxiliary drivers, and more.

Tip #3. Bypass Short Trips in the Colder Months

It's a battery disaster when you take short trips in colder months. The 10-15-minute shorter trips to the market prevent the alternator from recharging the battery. This is how the battery will become gradually more vulnerable in winter. To increase your car battery's performance, you need  to:

• Drive for 30 minutes a few times a week to maintain battery health.
• Merge errands into more extended trips.
• Steer clear of the start-stop driving when the weather is significantly cold.

The winter servicing professionals of a UK garage may suggest battery trickle chargers if you drive rarely.

Tip #4. Buy a Portable Jump Starter

Batteries fail to work despite all the winter preparations you have made for them. That's the reason most UK drivers carry portable Li-ion jump starters, which are capable of jump-starting a vehicle several times on a single charge. They are also perfect for emergencies and convenient to store.

Tip #5. Maintain the Cleanliness of the Battery Terminals

Loose or corroded battery terminals minimise the electrical flow that helps kick-start the car. The winter car servicing technicians ensure:

• Every connection and clamp is secure and tight.
• No green or whitish powdery corrosion is visible throughout the terminals.
• Using the terminal protectors to shield them against moisture accumulation.

UK Garages often check and clean the battery terminals as part of an interim or full car service plan.

Tip #6. Keep Your Vehicle in Your Home's Garage

A temperature fluctuation in winter can significantly affect the battery's performance. That's why it will be better to keep the car in your home's garage. In case you don't have an indoor storage option, consider:

• Park the vehicle away from areas highly exposed to frost and chilly winds.
• Using a vehicle cover to minimise wind chill.
• Buying a solar-powered trickle charger for battery maintenance in proper daylight.