Expert gives tips on protecting your car battery in the cold

The main stage of preparing the car for the winter season is checking the battery. It is the battery that provides engine starting in cold weather. But low temperatures significantly slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its capacity and ability to provide the necessary starting current. ENERGON product manager Dmitry Nikolaevich told Izvestia on November 18 about how to protect the battery in cold weather.

"Regular checking of the charge level and condition of terminals can prevent many problems. Oxidation of terminals deteriorates the contact and can result in even a charged battery not being able to start the engine. Cleaning the terminals and treating them with special protective compounds will help ensure a reliable connection," he explained.

According to the expert, if the engine starts with difficulty, the battery may need recharging. It is recommended to charge it at room temperature. Remove the battery and move it to a warm room. This will speed up the process and ensure a fuller charge, as charging efficiency is reduced at low temperatures.

"To prevent problems in serviced batteries, you should periodically check the electrolyte level and, if necessary, refill with distilled water, strictly observing safety precautions, as electrolyte is an aggressive acid," Nikolaevich warned.

He recommended taking into account the service life of the battery. If it is more than three to five years old, you should think about replacing it. Modern batteries designed for harsh climatic conditions are more stable at low temperatures and last longer.

Earlier, on November 13, the technical director of the international franchise network of car services FIT SERVICE Nikita Rodionov in a conversation with "Izvestia" dispelled myths about the operation of transport in winter. Prolonged warming up of the car increases engine wear, he warned.