Winter Battery Tips

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 8 -- Winter weather is tough on a vehicle, but it is the battery that suffers the most when the temperatures drop. Your vehicle's battery loses 33% of its power when the temperature dips below freezing and over 50% of its power when the temperature falls below zero. To make matters worse, your vehicle requires more power in the winter to turn over the engine and run the heater and defroster. A weakened battery can easily fail to start your vehicle, leaving you stranded in dangerously cold temperatures.

Fortunately, performing proper battery maintenance can help you avoid getting stuck when the weather turns cold. AutoZone, the nation's leading retailer of automotive and light truck parts, recommends that drivers follow these guidelines to help their batteries survive the winter:

    * Clean your battery's terminals -- Imagine trying to drink out of a straw
      while you're pinching the middle of it.  Well, that's what it's like
      when your car's battery has corroded terminals.  The corrosion keeps
      power from flowing freely from the battery, reducing the power that is
      available to start the car.  To avoid this, clean your battery terminals
      with a wire brush or spray some battery cleaner on the terminals.
    * Give your battery a good check-up -- If your battery is three years old
      or older, you should have it tested to make sure it can survive the
      coldest winter months.  And don't forget to have your battery tested
      before you take a long trip or after it's been recharged.
    * Don't give up on your battery -- Just because you needed a boost to
      start your car on a cold morning doesn't necessarily mean that you need
      a new battery.  Your battery depends on a properly functioning charging
      system, so make sure the system is working well before buying a new
      battery.  Your local AutoZone can test both your battery and your
      charging system for free, helping you save money and time by identifying
      the real problem.
    * Be smart when you jump-start -- If the battery fails, and you need to
      jump-start a vehicle, be sure to follow the vehicle manufacturer
      guidelines.  Jump-starting incorrectly can be dangerous and can damage
      the vehicle's electrical system, so always exercise caution when working
      with the battery and other electrical components.