How Do I Know if My Car Battery Will Make it Through Winter?
Winters are tough in Chicagoland. There’s the snow, sleet, wind, and don’t forget the freezing temperatures. At Apple Chevy we sympathize because we take the same roads and highways as you do. The bright side of these winter woes, is that Chevy makes some pretty tough cars, trucks, and SUVs that can handle our Midwestern climates. One question our Service Department gets this time of year is how to keep battery warm in winter? Read on for the answer.
Winter Car Battery Maintenance
Car batteries can die in the summer too, so winter doesn’t have the exclusive responsibility of wearing a battery down. In fact, excessive heat can be even more damaging than the cold, but it may not be until the temps drop below zero that your battery finally decides to klonk out on you. Therefore, the proper maintenance of your car’s battery should be a year-round effort.
Winter car battery maintenance is important, so do the following things to ensure your battery holds its charge in the cold.
Test Your Battery
Cold weather is no joke and how to keep car battery from dying in cold weather is on the top of every car owner’s mind right now. Having you car battery tested as weather starts is a good preventive step. This is especially important if the battery is over four years old.
Be Prepared
Always keep a set of jumper cables in your car. You never know when you are going to need a jump and if you are stranded on the side of the road when your car battery cold weather goes, that will only add to your misery. While you don’t need to change your battery with the seasons, it’s not a bad idea to replace it very 4-5 years before it has a chance to die on you.
If you’re wondering, can a car battery freeze? It can and will if the battery cells, connections, or charging system is damaged. Don’t wait to find out. Search for Chevy maintenance near me and get your answer.
Buy a Battery Charger
A good battery charger may save you money in the long run too. It’s definitely cheaper than a seasonal winter car battery replacement. Since you are investing the money, don’t be stingy with the charger. You’ll want to get one that will charge your battery to the correct level without overcharging it. These are also great for keeping your battery at peak performance if it is being stored for awhile. If you are storing a vehicle over the winter with no intention of driving it until the warmer weather returns, then remove the battery and store it inside. No use in exposing it to freezing temperature if you have another option. It will prolong the life of your battery.
If you’re in the market for a brand new Chevy, come visit us at Apple Chevy. If you have a question about you car battery replacement, you can ask us that too. We’re located at 8585 W 159th Street in Tinley Park. Or call us at (708) 336-3167.