Cell phones don’t work that long, electric cars can’t go that far. Low temperatures put a heavy strain on the batteries in our equipment in the winter – they’re less efficient. The so-called starter batteries in regular cars with internal combustion engines also suffer from this – the load on them is twice as much. Since the heating is running at full speed and the seat and possibly steering wheel heating is running, they usually have to run more consumers with less power.
The result: the battery may run out of water and the car will no longer start. It often happens when we don’t have time anyway and we need to call a friend or roadside assistance to get started right away.
But that doesn’t have to be the case: If you avoid the following five mistakes, you can ensure the longevity of your car battery.
1. Only drive short distances
Someone who only goes shopping for a short time puts a huge strain on the battery – the engine has to expend a lot of energy each time it is started. The short distance is also not enough to charge the battery. On the contrary: even more juice can be obtained if other consumers are working, such as the radio or heated seats.
Our tip: regularly (about once every two weeks) drive more than twenty kilometers at a time to recharge the battery. Alternatively, you can regularly charge the car battery using a charger.
2. Keep consumers connected to electricity
Of course, turning off the lights should be part of a driver’s routine. In most cars, the heated seats also turn off when we turn off the engine. But there are also external consumers in the 12-volt plug (cigarette lighter). The bad thing is: You can keep the power supply even when the engine is not running. If the heated seat cushion, navigation system or dash cam are still installed, they will continue to draw electricity and may drain the battery. The same applies to accessories that connect directly to the battery, such as marten deterrent devices. Therefore, we recommend that you always remove the accessories when you park your vehicle for a long time.
3. Do not clean the dirty battery
At first glance, the battery may be protected from dirt under the hood – but this appearance is deceiving. The battery can still get dirty, causing leakage currents when the dirt gets wet. These slowly drain the battery. You can prevent this by regularly checking the battery’s contacts and connections and keeping them clean. Especially now in the fall, damp leaves can disappear in the engine compartment.
4. No preparation for longer service life
Classic car owners know this: They leave their lovers during the winter, but they don’t disconnect the battery. But this is exactly what you should do if you leave your car for a few weeks. Otherwise the battery may be damaged – even if the consumers are switched off! It may still lose voltage and discharge itself. Therefore, if you leave your vehicle for a few weeks, it is recommended to connect the battery to a charger with a trickle function.
5. Ignore the warning signs
Battery discharge is a self-explanatory gradual process. Typical signs are headlights flashing when starting or an engine that just bounces and barely starts. The condition of the battery can be tested with the low beam: turn it on with the ignition on. If the light intensity decreases over time, the car battery is in bad condition. What You Can Do: Connect the battery to a charger or even replace it completely.