How Extreme Weather Conditions Can Affect Your Battery
Did you know that more than 50% of vehicle breakdowns are battery-related, and over 85% of early battery failures are the result of a flat or faulty battery?
Well, with the frosty mornings biting hard and the icy winds ramping up, it’s worth noting because a flat car battery will likely push you over the edge and mess with your schedule.
Annually from March to August, the Battery World Network sees an increase in flat car batteries, mainly due to the cooler weather conditions, which diminish the battery’s capacity to start the car.
The team see on average a 25% increase in car battery sales over this period compared with the September to February timeframe.
Why winter is a risky time for batteries
Temperature extremes like cold snaps, snow or below-zero conditions often lead to cars failing to start.
It’s something motorists can control though, because while the car battery may seem fine during warmer weather, if you don’t remember when you last replaced the battery or haven’t had it checked in the last 12 months, chances are you are going to get caught out with a faulty battery failure, usually at the most inappropriate time.
The average life of a car battery is about three and a half years, so if you’ve had yours a while and it’s starting to sound sluggish, perhaps consider replacing it before you find yourself in a pickle when it comes to school drop-off, an important meeting or that last-minute appointment. More modern vehicles are also making this difficult by being so efficient there is sometimes little to no warning when failure is around the corner.
Don’t Panic, Plan ahead instead
Save yourself the stress and hefty fees associated with an emergency callout. Get yours tested, it’s completely free at all Battery World stores.
The franchise network’s data shows that the ‘Don’t Panic, Plan’ message is being heard, with bookings for free car battery tests up year-on-year.
Motorists are becoming more aware that it’s cheaper and more convenient to test early than pay for the delay.
Car Battery Health Tips
Here are three quick, simple steps to ensure you get the most out of your car battery.
- Keep your battery charged
A flat battery is the number one cause of early battery failure. Here are a few tips that will reduce the self-discharge of the battery when the car is not in use.- Always lock the car. This will power down the vehicle’s electrical system, reducing the discharge on the battery.
- Keep the keyless remote away at least five metres from the vehicle to prevent the remote from communicating with the vehicle and draining the battery.
- Don’t leave the car idling for long periods of time, assuming this will recharge the battery. Vehicle charging systems are designed to reduce CO₂ emissions when idling and, in many vehicles, will not charge the battery.
- Ensure the battery terminals are free from corrosion
Along with dust and debris, it’s important to inspect and clean battery terminals and cables and ensure there’s no corrosion. Battery World recommends that if you see any white powdery corrosion around the battery terminals, simply grab an old toothbrush, baking soda and a little water and scrub. Once clean, use an anti-corrosion spray on the terminal to prevent it from returning. - Get your battery regularly checked
The days are over when your car will provide warning signs that your battery was starting to fail, including lights dimming when the car is not running and a slow winding noise when you are trying to start the car. With the technological advancements of vehicles today, there is little to no warning that the battery is going to fail, so pop into any of our 114 Battery World stores across Australia and get your car battery tested for FREE! It only takes a few minutes and will save you time, money and inconvenience in the long term.
For more information or to talk to a battery expert or book a test, head into your local Battery World store.