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Most of us have experienced driving in cold weather and our share of breakdowns. Usually a breakdown is due to the neglect of our vehicle; I’m just as guilty as the next guy. We’re busy people! Things we neglect that can cause us to have problems, especially in the winter months:
• Battery
• Antifreeze
• Engine oil
• Window washer fluid
• Wiper blades
• Tires
Here are 6 simple things we can do to help save us from a winter breakdown:
1. Load test the battery. Check and clean the battery connections.
2. Check the condition, strength, and level of the antifreeze. Replace if needed.
Antifreeze concentration test.
3. Check the engine oil condition and level. Replace the engine oil and filter if needed.
Engine oil dipstick location on a Dodge truck.
Checking the level of the engine oil on the dipstick.
4. Refill the window washer bottle and check the spray operation.
Windshield washer bottle.
5. Inspect and replace the wiper blades as needed.
Check the condition of the windshield wiper blades.
6. Inspect the tires for tread wear and pressure; rotate if needed.
Check the tread of the tires for wear.
Check the tire pressure.
Refer to Chilton’s online repair manuals to help keep your vehicle in top shape. Check out ChiltonDIY for repair procedures, maintenance intervals, wiring diagrams, technical service bulletins, Recalls, and more.
Years ago, vehicles were equipped with carburetors and required a longer cranking time to start. In many instances this longer cranking time would reveal a weak battery. You could actually hear the cranking power reduced especially in cold weather. When fuel-injected engines became the norm this was not as evident due to the fact that the vehicle starts up quicker.
A sudden change in temperature usually takes a weak battery out. That’s why the day before your vehicle may have started fine, with no warning of a problem. Then an extreme change in the weather (hot or cold) causes the weak battery to die, seemingly without a warning.
Why do batteries fail?
It’s unusual for a battery to malfunction because of a defect, driving habits are the usual cause. Using a lot of vehicle accessories and driving short distances prevents the battery from fully charging. Extended idling with heavy accessory use or driving a short distance only once a week can also reduce battery performance.
(example from General Motors)
When the battery does not have have an opportunity to charge fully, acid stratification occurs. The electrolyte (battery acid) in a stratified battery concentrates on the bottom. It is similar to the way sugar granules collect on the bottom of a cup of coffee before it is stirred. Batteries tend to stratify if kept at low charge (below 80%) and don’t get the opportunity to receive a full charge. For example, short distance driving while running windshield wipers and electric heaters contributes to acid stratification. Acid stratification reduces the overall performance and life of the battery.
How to protect the battery
Check your battery every two years and keep the connections clean. Also clean the area around the battery hold down. Usually if a battery is super corroded the terminals leads are no longer airtight. If you clean your battery terminals and cables and the corrosion returns, replace the battery. If your battery is four years old and corroded, replace the battery.
Batteries can cause all kinds of crazy problems; the vehicle’s electrical system has to be 100%. I have seen people replace parts on vehicles when the only thing wrong was a weak battery.
Just recently I checked a friend’s car and found a dead battery. I explained the battery read 12.5v but would not start the vehicle. He came back and told us the battery was okay. I asked the gentleman if he load tested it. He had not, but when he did he came back with a new battery.
Batteries can be difficult to diagnose, if your battery is more than three years old, my suggestion is to replace it. If you are seeing excessive corrosion and have had problems don’t fool around with an old battery. Have it checked out.
Battery Basics
Typical automotive batteries are made of five basic components:
Battery cutaway images courtesy of Battery Council International
Keep your vehicle running smoothly with maintenance schedules, service and repair information, Technical Service Bulletins and Recalls at: ChiltonDIY.com and ChiltonPRO.com.
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