HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-10-26, Page 1818 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Car battery care 1/1 die wetth4e4
Drivers should replace old car batteries before the arrival of winter weather.
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519-.527-1:057' - 51.forilt Oieerlo
Mechanical Repair & Used
Car Sales
30 Ontario St., Clinton, ON NOM 1L0
Phone: 519-482-8439
Email: aandt@bellnet.ca
Few things can be more
frustrating than jumping
into the driver's seat on a
frosty morning, turning the key
in the ignition and failing to hear
the engine roar to life. Frigid
weather can cause trouble with
a car's battery. Some drivers do
not understand why, but getting
the facts can help people avoid
havi ng to dea l with dead batteries
on cold winter days.
Cold temperatures wreak
havoc on batteries because
they slow the chemical reaction
inside of the battery. Batteries
work by combining lead plates
with lead dioxide and sulfuric
acid to create electrons. While
batteries can function under
myriad conditions, the cold
weather tends to degrade high-
quality batteries and may render
subpar batteries useless. The cold
weather can cause the fluid in
the battery to freeze and lose
function. A battery that is frozen
will not hold a charge, and, as a
result, the car won't start.
There are various ways to
protect a battery from failure in
thecold, and some ofthem involve
taking precautionary measures
even before the arrival of cold
weather.
Assess the age
of your battery
If your battery is old, now may
be the time to replace it. Batteries
differ in how long they last, but
many last anywhere from five to
10 years. If your car is still running
on its original battery and your
card is several years old, it may be
a good idea to get a new battery
before the arrival of winter.
Battery size will not necessarily
provide better starting. It's
important to buy the correct
battery for the make of your car,
which can usually be found inside
of the owner's manual.
Verify that there is
no corrosion
Corrosion can prevent a car
from starting just as much as a
worn-out battery. Corrosion is
caused by a faulty connection
that allows battery acid to escape
and corrode surrounding areas.
Regularly inspect the battery to
keep abreast of issues that may
cause corrosion. Carefully clean
away any corrosive residue that
has formed and make sure the
battery is correctly seated.
Allstate.
You're in good hands.
Ask me about insurance discounts
that can help you save.
441
Call me for a free, no obligation quote.
Becky Cuming
London North Fanshawe Agency
665 Fanshawe Park Road W.
1-855-807-1499
bcuming@allstate.ca
Install a battery
blanket
A battery blanket is used to
wrap around the battery and fit
inside of the battery cover. A cord
with a plug runs from the blanket
to a wall outlet. The blanket can
produce enough heat to keep
the battery fluid from freezing.
A trickle charger can also be
mounted on the battery. It will
deliver enough power to the
battery while the car is off to keep
it from freezing.
Minimize the use
of automotive
accessories
Do not start the car with the
heater and the radio on. They can
use up the power coming from
the car's alternator and prevent
the batteryfrom charging. Do not
leave the heat and the radio on
while the car is idling. Otherwise
the car will not be putting out
enough power for the alternator
to charge the battery and power
the electrical systems.
Disconnect
the battery
If your car will be stored in a
garage for the winter, disconnect
thebattery.Certaindevices,suchas
clocksandalarmsystems,continue
to drain battery power when the
vehicle is off. If your car will not
be driven enough to recharge
the battery, keep it disconnected
when the automobile is being
stored.
Cold weather can sometimes
wreakhavoconvehicles. Knowing
howtoskirttroublewithyourcar's
battery can keep your car on the
road throughout the winter.
HF,P1- "Qualified Care
For Your
H U RON Complex Fuel System"
FUEL I N JEcT Icr'
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Toll Free: 1-800-320-0666
www.huronfuelinjection.com
Local: 519-482-7971
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