Having a breakdown in the winter is not any fun. Take it from me, who in the past, has experienced dead batteries in zero-degree weather, torn windshield wipers when the city streets were full of slush, and a spin out off of a highway exit ramp while trying to work. Each of those cases could probably been avoided if I had done a little preparation.
First, let us talk about your car battery.
Car batteries definitely have a tendency to die more often in the winter months. It requires extra power to turn over in cold temperatures, when both the battery and the oil in the car are cold.
If you battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it or at least having it tested. By four or five years old, most batteries may have a hard time keeping a charge. If this is the case, you might want to purchase a stand alone unit that will jump start your car battery when another car is not available. You use your home electricity to charge the unit ahead of time. These units can pay for themselves by saving the cost of a tow truck.
Make sure to read your car manual. Some newer car electrical systems can be damaged when a car is jump started. Your manual may also give you instructions on how to ground the jumper cables to avoid damage. You don’t want to burn out your ignition when you get a jump start.
Sometimes a car will stall or not start not because there is anything wring with the battery but because the connections are loose. Make sure to give a little tug on the battery cables to make sure that they are tight. Any corrosion or dirt around the terminals should be gently scrubbed away. A paste of water and baking soda on an old toothbrush should do the trick.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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