You are more likely to have a flat car battery in winter than in summer, and motorists need to ensure they do not get stuck with a car that won’t start this cold season.
This is according to automotive retailer Motus, which stated that a car’s engine “requires more power to start when it is cold”.
“At the same time, the colder temperatures make it more difficult for a car battery to provide the power that it normally does,” said Motus.
This is particularly problematic if your vehicle’s battery is old or not well maintained.
Compounding matters further is that a modern car relies on its battery a lot more than vehicles from the past.
“Cars these days are equipped with a myriad of electronics that all rely on the correct battery voltage to perform optimally.”
“Automatic gearboxes found in most cars these days also mean that it is not possible to push start your car and sensitive electronics can be damaged by jump-starting vehicles incorrectly.”
Battery life
Motus stated that in a “normal” scenario, a car’s battery must be changed every three years.
However, due to government lockdowns resulting in more people working from home, the lifespan of your car’s battery could be much shorter.
“As batteries get older, they require a longer running time to fully recharge after the heavy load of starting a vehicle.”
“So if you generally only travel short distances, the battery will not have enough time to sufficiently recharge.”
Keeping it healthy
Motus went on to provide several tips for motorists on how they can keep their vehicle battery in good order.
The first step is to note when you last had your battery replaced. If you do not know, you should have it checked by a battery retailer.
Following this, there are several steps you can take to keep your battery healthy.
- Park your car in a garage or under cover to keep it warm at night. This makes it easier for your car to start in the morning.
- If you car will not start, do not try repeatedly in quick succession to start it. Take a break and try again in a few minutes.
- Ensure the lights, radio, and heater are turned off when starting your car.
- Keep up to date with your car’s required service schedule. A well-maintained car places less strain on the battery.
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