We demand a lot from our cars and our batteries during these cold winter months. Freezing temperatures slow the chemical reactions that happen inside a lead-acid battery and this reduces the battery’s ability to perform. Simultaneously, a cold engine requires more power to start and operate the heat and defrost luxuries we demand in extreme weather.
Before you find yourself in the dead of winter, ask yourself these questions to determine if your battery is winter ready:
- Is your battery more than 3 years old?
- Is your battery warning light on?
- Are your electronic devices failing?
- Are your interior lights dim?
- Does your car horn sound different?
- Does your car’s engine crank more slowly than normal?
- Is the battery case cracked or swollen?
- Are your headlights dim instead of bright?
If you can answer “Yes” to one or more of these questions, it’s a good time to have your battery tested and possibly switch it out for a new one. The last thing you want is to be stranded this winter due to a dead battery that could have been prevented.
- Mark Sugar at Auto Clearing in Saskatoon
