Taking care of your car battery during the cold, frigid Quebec winters can be a challenge. To ensure your battery doesn’t have any problems, it’s important to follow a few simple tips to keep it in good working order.
Turn off all your vehicle’s accessories
To optimize your car’s starting ability, it’s a good idea to reduce the battery’s charge, turn off the heater, radio, and any other unnecessary accessories to increase the chances of a successful start.
Make regular long trips
Car batteries must be used regularly to avoid discharge. It is recommended that you take your car on long trips regularly, keeping the engine running for at least 20 minutes to maintain the battery’s charge. It is important to note that running the engine when not in use will not be enough to recharge your battery.
Have your battery checked
It is important to check the condition of your battery regularly as a car battery has an average life of 5 years. It is advisable to check your battery before winter arrives at a garage or by using a voltmeter. The normal voltage of a battery in good condition is between 12.4 and 12.8V. If the voltage is below 12.3V, the battery needs to be recharged, and if it is below 12V, it is probably time to replace it.
Using a battery charger or block heater
It is possible to use an automatic charger to maintain the charge of your battery without damaging it, avoiding overcharging. It is advisable to connect the battery before a period of extreme cold.
You can also use a block heater to reduce the strain on the battery by plugging it in two to three hours before driving. Taking care of your battery will extend its life.
May the winter go well for you!
