Winter, it does not just drain your iPhone

Posted by AcademyFordAdvantage on November 4, 2013 · Leave a Comment 

Winter puts more stress on your car battery, especially if you park it outside, since extreme cold effects your battery’s performance. Cold temperatures greatly reduce the effectiveness of chemical reactions within the battery and also increases the battery’s internal resistance.

To reduce your chances of being stranded, remember to watch for the signs of a low or dying battery:

• Your starter turns slowly
• Your headlights look dim when your sitting idle (like when you’re in traffic) but becomes brighter when you accelerate the engine (headlight sos image)

Also, remember to look at the decal on the case of the battery, it should have an expiration date on it, if the date is not too far away, replace it.

Here are some other ways that you can help yourself and your engine this winter:

• Check the battery cables and clamps for fraying or corrosion. If there’s a white, powdery substance around the clamps, that’s corrosion from the battery’s acid — you can clean it off easily with baking soda, water and a toothbrush.
• Keep your engine warm with a block heater or a battery wrap. You can also do this by parking indoors (like in a garage) Keeping your car’s battery warm overnight can help prevent freezing temperatures from affecting the engine. (a warm engine is a happy engine image)

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to our service department (301)419-2700.

Filed under Auto Service, Automobile, car ownership, Driver Safety, Pre-Winter Car Care, Service, Vehicle Maintenance, Winter