Taking Care of Your Vehicle’s Battery in the Winter

It’s no secret that it gets cold here in Cincinnati & KY, and your vehicle can get the brunt of it. While you’re bundling yourself up in coats, hats and scarves, it’s important to make sure you’re remembering to take care of your vehicle! A common problem people experience in the winter is a vehicle not starting because of a dead battery because freezing temperatures can really affect it.

Avoid being stranded on the side of the road by following these cold weather tips to save your battery!

Be aware of warning signs. If you’re hearing a clicking sound when you turn on the ignition or if the vehicle cranks slowly when you’re starting it, it might be time for a new battery. Another sign is dimming headlights when the vehicle is idling.

Get it tested. Take your vehicle to your trusted, local auto repair shop (like Ulmer’s Auto Care) so an ASE Certified Technician can test your battery and let you know if you should start thinking about getting a new one.

Unplug and turn off. Unplug chargers and electronic devices when you don’t need them. They can drain your vehicle’s battery, and when it’s cold out, the battery can already be losing a lot of its strength, while the engine needs even more power to start. Turning off your lights is another important thing to do to save your battery. Even one inside light left on can affect your vehicle’s ability to start when you need to get to work in the morning!

Give it a chance to recharge. If your battery does die and you need to jumpstart the car, make sure you drive it around for at least 30 minutes after it starts. This will allow your battery to recharge a bit and hopefully help you avoid needing to do it again until you can get somewhere to test it.

Vehicle batteries typically last three to five years, so if yours is getting close, it might be worth looking into getting a new one. If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle’s battery, feel free to call or stop in the shop, or you can easily schedule an appointment online. We’re happy to help!