A guide from First Call GB Ltd to caring for your car battery during the winter

With breakdown services reporting that several hundred thousand callouts are made for flat batteries each year, it’s safe to say that the battery is one of the more delicate parts of a vehicle. However, whilst flat batteries can occur at any time of the year, they are particularly common during the winter months. There are a number of reasons for this, First Call GB Ltd says.

Firstly, power output drops in the colder months; secondly, the vehicle’s ability to accept a change is reduced, which means that the batter cannot recharges as quickly whilst the car is being driven. And thirdly, loads tend to increase; things such as rear-screen heaters, heated seats, wipers, blowers and lights are used far more frequently during the winter. It’s really no surprise then that New Year’s Day is one of the busiest working days of the year for breakdown services, as so many cars are left unused over Christmas time.

However, First Call GB Ltd (http://www.iessex.co.uk/profile/61612/Colchester/First-Call-GB-Ltd/) says that a lot of battery problems can be avoided. As the winter sets in, it’s a good idea to have the garage which services your car to check that the connections and clamps to the batter are corrosion-free and secure. In addition to this, there are some things which you can do to keep your battery alive when it’s cold outside.

If your car battery is more than five years old and you’ve been experience trouble with starting up, you may need to get it replaced. It’s much better to do this before the winter sets in, so that you don’t find yourself stranded in the snow with a flat battery. If your battery is relatively new, but you mostly drive over short distances, or tend to leave the car unused for several days at a time, then First Call GB says that you might want to consider investing in a battery conditioner; these devices can be left connected to the battery over long periods of time, and will prolong their lifespan without overcharging.

As mentioned above, extra load plays a part in causing flat batteries during the winter. To counteract this, First Call GB Ltd says to make sure to check that all electrical items are switched off when you park the car; even the radio or the light in the boot can drain the battery if left on overnight in the cold.