Ways To Avoid Getting Stranded From A Dead Battery This Winter

If you have emergency roadside service and experience a dead battery this winter, you can be certain that someone will come to help you get this problem fixed. While this is a good way to get your car up and running again, having a dead battery in the winter can be a huge inconvenience. It is always better to prevent car problems than to deal with them when they occur, and you can prevent having a dead battery if you take the right steps.

Replace It Regularly

Without a working battery, your car will not be able to run. The battery in your car stores energy and is needed to allow your car to start and run each day. The average car battery will last from five to seven years, and some may last even longer than this and others may not even last this long. The length in which your battery will last will depend on many factors, including the following:

• The temperature in your area – Cold weather wears down a battery, while warm weather really has no effects. If you live in an area that is cold, your battery will probably wear out faster.
• Your driving habits – If you take mostly short trips in your car, your battery might not last as long as it would for a driver who usually drives long distances.
• The type and size of the battery – There are many types, sizes, and brands of car batteries, and each may last a different length of time.

If you replace your battery every five years, you are more likely to avoid having a dead battery in the future.

Get It Tested

If you are not quite ready to replace your battery but want to make sure it is strong enough for an upcoming trip, you could get the battery tested. You can do this yourself if you have a voltmeter, or you could take your car to an auto repair shop to have it tested.

If your battery is a typical 12.66-volt battery, you should consider having it recharged if the reading comes in at 12.45 or less. Recharging a battery is easy to do and can be completed in two ways. You will need a battery charger to recharge your battery. To do this, you will need to connect the negative cable to the negative terminal on your battery, and you must connect the positive cable to the positive terminal on your battery. Next, turn the charger on. This will boost the power in your battery, and your battery should then work fine.

If you test the battery and the voltage is really low, replacing the battery might be a safer option compared to recharging it.

Keep An Eye On The Terminals

If you look at your battery, you will see two terminals coming from it. These terminals connect the battery to the rest of your engine, and they must be in good working condition in order for your battery to work properly. Battery terminals can become dirty and corroded over time, and this can prevent a battery from working. Chemical reactions from the acid in the battery produce hydrogen gas, and this is what typically leads to corrosion on car batteries.

If you take the time to inspect the terminals on your battery regularly, you may be able to spot problems before they occur. If the terminals are dirty, you can take your car to an auto repair shop to have them cleaned, or clean them yourself by mixing together one-part water with three-parts baking soda. Dip a toothbrush in this mixture and scrub the terminals to remove the corrosion. By doing this, you could prolong the life of the battery, and this will help you prevent a dead battery.

Install A Battery Blanket

Finally, you may be able to prevent having a dead battery if you install a battery blanket over your battery. A battery blanket is designed to keep the battery warm by insulating it, and this will help prolong its life. Battery blankets are available in different types and sizes, and they can make a big difference.

Getting a dead battery while you are traveling can be a hassle for so many reasons, but you may be able to prevent this by following these steps. If you do encounter a dead battery or any other type of car problem, you could always call your emergency roadside service company (like Airport Towing) for assistance.