In winter, the car battery is particularly stressed. Cold and darkness require a significantly higher power requirement. This is how you make the car battery fit for the winter
Light, blower, heating: If these functions run in parallel when driving, it puts a strain on the car battery. If it has enough power, it stays nice and warm while driving and the windscreen wipers ensure a clear view in winter. It becomes uncomfortable when the battery dies and, in the worst case, drivers are left stranded. It is not for nothing that the ADAC lists defective batteries at the top of the breakdown statistics.
Check the charge level of the car battery regularly
In addition to winter tires, enough oil in the engine compartment and clear windows, the battery status is part of the winter check. It is best for drivers to check the state of charge in the workshop. A specialist can see immediately whether an exchange is necessary. Above all, car owners who have been on the road with the battery for around six years should put the condition through its paces. For the self-test, park your vehicle in the dark in front of a house wall. The low beam is on, the engine is switched off. If the light dims or flickers after a few minutes, the battery is bad. In the worst case, the car even causes problems when starting. Then the battery should definitely be replaced.
Why do batteries weaken in winter?
This is due to the higher energy consumption. The colder engine requires more energy to start. There are also other power guzzlers such as lighting and heating. The standby mode of GPS puts additional strain on the battery. In winter, the systems are under constant strain, the number of charging cycles increases – all of this leads to a loss of car battery life. Own fault is also fatal. If you leave the car lights on overnight, you will be surprised the next morning with a dead battery. The battery discharges completely.
In addition, city cars, which always drive short distances, have problems in winter. Due to the short driving time, the battery cannot charge properly. This can lead to total failure.
Car battery protection tips
- Switch off unnecessary consumption such as rear window heating
- Switch to low consumption on short journeys (omit the radio)
- Turn off the music system
- Avoid short trips
- Have distilled water on board, sufficient battery fluid
- Inspect the battery, measure the current
- Keep connections dry
- Lubricate the pole terminals with Vaseline
If the car is parked for a long time, the battery should be disconnected. Regular reloading is also possible. If the battery is not recharged by the alternator, sulphation occurs. This means the formation of crystals on the plates. This damages the cells. Suitable accessories for charging the battery or checking the status are also available online. You can buy chargers, starter kits or boosters for the car battery from around €20.
A notice: Do you have a very modern battery? These are maintenance-free and cannot be treated with distilled water. Modern batteries are only rechargeable. If that no longer works, an exchange is due.
The rumor persists that batteries can be protected in winter by packing them up. A layer of styrofoam is of no use, since the battery discharges from the high load and not from the pure cold. You can save money on battery bags.
Signs of a new battery
The battery gives a clear signal when it needs to be replaced. She strikes more often and signals the change. Information about which battery is required can be found in the vehicle’s log book. The battery also contains information about voltage and capacity. If in doubt, simply contact the garage.
Electric cars at an advantage in winter
Anyone who already drives an e-car in the big city can benefit in winter. Drivers are not only environmentally friendly on the road, but also do not experience any tension problems. Hybrid and electric vehicles have different power supply circuits. Since there is an exchange of power between the circuits, a failure is usually not to be expected.
The winter robs a lot of energy: If you heed a few tips, you will get through the winter at full speed.