How to prepare your battery for winter

How to prepare a car battery for winter

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If you plan to drive your car all year round, you need to think about the question of how to properly prepare the battery for winter. The battery is responsible for starting the engine and supplying energy to the electrical system while the generator is not running. In winter, the battery drains faster. In severe frost, motorists often experience complete failure of this device.

Why does your battery discharge faster in winter?

To understand how to prepare a car battery for winter, you need to understand the reasons for the difficulties. In winter, the battery operates in extreme mode. The problem is a combination of several factors:

• repeated activation of the starter due to difficulty starting a cold engine;
• short travel duration, which does not allow the battery to be fully recharged;
• increased energy consumption for heating mirrors, rear and windshields, and the interior.

The first symptom is easier to cope with if the battery is well charged and produces current with the required strength and voltage parameters. A little trick is to turn on the headlights for a few minutes before starting to let the battery warm up.

There is no point in fighting the second reason. If you only drive short distances, this is a given. You just need to prepare the battery for winter so that it can “survive” this unfavorable period.

The influence of the third reason can be reduced if you refrain from turning on unnecessary equipment before the vehicle starts moving. Even if it's cold in the car, try not to turn on the interior heater for the first 5 minutes after the start of the trip.

How to prepare a battery for winter with your own hands

The easiest way is to buy a new battery when cold weather sets in. It's easy, but wasteful. If you use the battery according to the manufacturer's recommendations, it can last five years. You just need to prepare it for winter in time, and generally use it correctly. We are talking about quality products.

If a man is able not only to look at the TV, which due to some misunderstanding has not yet been officially renamed into a zombie box, he can cope with servicing the battery on his own. To understand how to prepare a car battery for winter with your own hands, you do not need to have a higher technical education.

Removing the battery from the car

First disconnect the battery. The minus terminal is disconnected first, then the plus is removed. If the sequence is mixed up, a short circuit may occur, which will damage the entire electrical system of the car.

After disconnecting the fastener, carefully remove the battery from the engine compartment. Do not tilt the battery or knock on it. Next, check how clean the vents are. Clean if necessary.

Remove dirt from the battery case. For this operation, you should prepare a solution of soda at the rate of 1 - 2 teaspoons per 200 milliliters of water. Do not neglect this operation: the battery may self-discharge through dirt.

Checking the electrolyte level

Now estimate the volume of electrolyte. Modern batteries have a transparent case with maximum and minimum level marks. If the volume in some jars is insufficient, add distilled water. Be careful, the electrolyte fluid in the battery is an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid.

Do not add fresh electrolyte to the battery! We'll figure out why later. For now, just take note.

The next step is to measure the density. This operation is performed with a simple device - a hydrometer. The density must be at least 1.25 g/cu. cm at temperatures from +15 to +25°C. If this indicator is lower, be sure to charge the battery.

In general, in order to properly prepare a car battery for winter, it is advisable to bring the electrolyte density to 1.27 g/cubic meter. see. It is recommended to do this only by charging. It is better to use a special charger that has a built-in current regulator.

If the density in different jars differs by more than 0.01, you can equalize it in two ways. The first is to gradually pour from a container with a dense liquid into one where the solution is more liquid. It is necessary to periodically check the result, and then equalize the electrolyte level in all banks. The second is to put the battery on equalizing charging.

When working, be careful to avoid contact of liquid with skin. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Wear work clothes that you don't mind, because if electrolyte drips on it, you won't be able to wash it off. Even "Tide" or "Ariel".

Be sure to clean the terminals with fine sandpaper. Lubricate the contacts with conductive grease to protect against corrosion. Poor contact is one of the factors that quickly reduces the battery charge.

Why you can’t add electrolyte to the battery

Now let's figure out what not to do when preparing a car battery for winter. One of the main mistakes is adding fresh electrolyte. Let's figure out why the level of sulfuric acid solution in the battery bank generally decreases. When exposed to high temperatures, water boils away. This process is especially intense in the summer. However, water evaporates all year round.

Now imagine what happens in the battery bank. Water evaporates, the electrolyte concentration increases. During operation, the charge is consumed, the acid settles on the plates in the form of a layer of lead sulfate. You can see it: it’s such a light coating. This is possible if you haven't looked after your battery at all. It's better not to take things to extremes.

If you add a fresh solution of standard density 1.27 to a jar with sulfated plates, nothing bad will happen. First time. Then, when current begins to pass through the plates, sulfuric acid is released as a result of an electrochemical reaction. The density of the electrolyte in the bank will begin to increase and exceed the value for which the battery is designed. The plates will simply crumble. You'll have to buy a new battery in a couple of months.

By the way, when adding electrolyte to the jar, the hydrometer will show completely harmless values. The fact is that salts do not immediately dissolve in the electrolyte. The battery needs to work. Not for long. Then the destruction of the lead plates will begin.

Checking the on-board electrical circuit

After the battery is fully charged and cleaned, you should reinstall it. Tighten the fasteners securely. Now it's time to tackle the car's electrical system. Electricity losses place additional unnecessary stress on the battery. In winter, the battery already works in survival mode; it doesn’t need any extra difficulties.

First of all, check that the wiring is working properly. Particular attention to the lines generator - battery and battery - starter. Malfunctions in other areas cannot be tolerated either. Any electrical leakage will result in the battery being completely discharged.

Checking the electric generator

Check generator operation. The output voltage must be at least 13.8 volts. If a car electric generator cannot handle even 13, it urgently needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the battery will not last long. Check the belt tension. If it slips, charging the battery will be difficult.

How to measure the voltage coming from the generator to the battery? You will need a multimeter and a pair of straight hands. Connect the contacts of the device to the battery terminals, observing the polarity. If you have charged and prepared the battery correctly, the display should show a voltage of 12.5 to 12.7 volts. This is the battery voltage.

Now you need to start the engine. When the devices are turned off, the voltage at the terminals should rise to 13.8 - 14.5 volts. On new cars with a lot of electronics, this value can be 14.8. If you turn on the consumption (stove in the cabin, heated rear window, high beam, etc.), the voltage should drop, but not below 13.7 V.

Insulation is an effective method

Such a simple technique as wrapping the battery has a good effect. It is necessary to use non-flammable material that does not conduct electricity. You can buy ready-made covers in the store, or cut a blank of the appropriate size yourself.

If you figure out how to properly prepare a car battery for winter with your own hands, you can face the cold fully prepared. Your iron horse will not fail if the energy source to start the engine is in order.

How to properly prepare a car battery for winter

With the onset of the first frosts, the number of car owners who were unable to start their car in the morning increases sharply. The reason is a dead battery. To prevent this situation, we recommend preparing your battery for winter before the onset of cold weather.

1. Remove the battery (first unscrew the negative battery terminal, then the positive one) and bring it to a warm room.
2. Clean the battery from dirt using a 10% soda solution (especially the top part of the battery). Dirt can cause the battery to self-discharge, so it must be kept clean.
3. Check the battery charge level.
4. If the battery level is below 50%, it should be charged.
5. Clean the wire terminals and battery terminals until shiny using sandpaper.
6. After installing the battery in the vehicle, apply a thin coat of copper grease to the metal wire ends and exposed terminal surfaces. This will protect the terminals and tips from oxidation.

The process of preparing the battery for winter is also shown in the video:

Let us remind you that a car with a dead battery can be started using the “lighting” method. When choosing a new battery, follow these recommendations (for Lada XRAY, Vesta, Largus and other LADA).

Preparing the battery for winter

Preparing the battery for the cold.

During cold weather, a car battery is not used in the best conditions. It costs a lot to start an icy engine with thickened oil, constantly run the heater, heated mirrors and rear window. From this it is obvious that during short winter trips the battery will not be able to compensate for the charge.

If the car will be used in winter and not parked in a garage or parking lot, then it is necessary to prepare the battery for harsh operating conditions before the onset of cold weather.

Cleaning the battery.

The battery must be disconnected and removed from the vehicle, and dust and accumulated dirt must be wiped off the body. Clean the ventilation holes, wipe the surface with a solution of baking soda (1 - 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of water). Use fine-grained sandpaper to remove the oxide film from the battery terminals.

Determining the battery charge and checking the condition of each bank is possible only with the use of special instruments

Checking the electrolyte level.

Almost all modern batteries have a transparent case and marks on it indicating the permissible amount of electrolyte - maximum and minimum. In cases where the battery case is not transparent or the marks are difficult to see, a glass tube is used. It must be carefully lowered into the jar under its own weight, without pressing, so as not to damage the plates and separators. Close the upper end with your finger and pull it out. The electrolyte level must be at least 10mm. If the level is low, you need to add distilled water and measure again until the level is more than 10mm. Carry out similar actions with the remaining battery banks.

Checking the electrolyte density.

Density is measured with a special device - a hydrometer.

The density of a fully charged battery is 1.27 grams per cubic centimeter. The measurement must be made at a temperature of +20 degrees Celsius; if the temperature is different, it is necessary to take into account the error in accordance with the table, which should be in the instructions for the hydrometer.

Voltage check.

The voltage is measured with a multimeter.

The voltage of a fully charged battery is 12.6 Volts.

How to charge the battery.

A special charger is used for charging. When purchasing a charger, you should pay attention to the possibility of operating in automatic mode. In this case, there is no need to constantly monitor the charging process. It is important not to confuse the plus when connecting the terminals.

The charging current must correspond to 0.1 of the battery capacity. For example, a battery with a capacity of 60 A/h should have a charging current of no more than 6A. At a lower current, charging is carried out better, but the time until a full charge is achieved increases. If the voltage at the terminals rises to 14.5 Volts, the charging current should be halved and continue charging for about 10 hours.

When the electrolyte boils strongly, the charge current must also be reduced.

The temperature of the electrolyte during charging should not exceed 35 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is higher, charging must be stopped and the electrolyte allowed to cool. When the density of the electrolyte and the voltage at the terminals are stable for two hours, this means that the battery is fully charged.

At the end of charging, you need to remove electrolyte splashes with the same baking soda solution. Before installing the battery in the car, the terminals and terminals must be lubricated with lithol to fully tighten the bolts.

In winter, the battery charge should be checked monthly, and the density and electrolyte level should be checked weekly.

How to prepare your battery for winter

All car owners are well aware that in winter the car battery goes through difficult trials. What does it cost him to start a cold engine just once, when he clearly does not have enough strength to carry out such a procedure? After all, as a rule, the battery does not have time to recharge during short winter runs.

That is why in winter you should try to help him, so that his work can provide you with a comfortable and quiet ride, so that you do not have to dance from the cold, looking for someone who will agree to give your car a “light.”

If you are not going to park your car in winter, then you need to prepare its battery for winter operation before the cold weather sets in.
You should not think that if the car operates confidently and without problems in the summer, everything will be fine with it even in winter frosts. Many car owners remember about their battery only with the onset of the first serious cold weather. It is then that they begin to get fed up with unsuccessful and frequent attempts to start the car engine. And often in this case, the appearance of high current discharges with a duration of more than 20 seconds is observed, causing the plates to melt.
When preparing a battery for use in winter cold, first of all, you need to clean its ventilation holes, housing and cover from dirt , and then wipe the battery surface with a rag pre-moistened with ammonia. Then, using warm water, remove deposits from the terminals and terminals of the poles, and using grain sandpaper, remove the oxide film. After installing the battery in place, you need to firmly tighten the bolts, and also lubricate the terminals and terminals with lithol on the outside.

If small cracks or chips are found on the battery case or plastic cover, they should be removed using a soldering iron. To eliminate more serious damage, it is best to seek help from specialists.

The next stage of preparing the battery for winter includes checking the condition level, as well as charging its individual cells. When performing this, you will need some special equipment, especially a load fork. It would be a good idea to have all of the following battery procedures performed by professionals.

Specialists will check not only the electrical parameters of the battery, but will also bring them back to normal if your battery is still suitable for further use. It would be good to inspect the electrical equipment of your car. Remember that when driving with a broken relay, any (even expensive) battery can become unusable for further use in a few days, so you should not skimp on such an examination. After carefully preparing the battery for use in winter, you must try to constantly keep it in “good shape”.

The use of low-viscosity motor oils makes it easier to start the battery in winter. It turns out that when, when starting the engine in winter, it starts to work faster, then less load falls on the battery.

It should be remembered that in winter cold the electrochemical processes in the battery slow down, and its capacity decreases and becomes slightly less than the nominal one. If you need to go on an important trip, it is best to place the battery in a warm place for at least 2 hours. If you store your car in an unheated garage or parking lot, it is best to wrap your battery overnight so that the electrolyte in it cools more slowly than the air around it. Before starting the engine, it is advisable to “wake up” the battery by flashing the high beams.

If you use your car little in the winter , then it is still advisable to recharge its battery almost once a month during this period of time. It is good to monitor the density of the battery electrolyte every week, maintaining its value within the range of 1.27 g/m3. cm up to 1.28 g/cc. see. If necessary, you can add distilled water to the battery before the trip, which will help prevent the electrolyte from freezing. Some experts believe that in winter it is necessary to increase the density of the electrolyte in the battery to almost 1.30 g/cubic meter. cm. In their opinion, this will help make the battery work more reliably in cold weather, but at the same time reduce its service life.

And one more piece of advice that can be considered unworthy. It is advisable not to use your battery as a “lighter” for another car, since the extreme loads that fall on it are unlikely to do it any good.

How to prepare a car battery for winter

One of the problems that many car owners face in winter is a discharged battery that prevents the vehicle from starting. Proper preparation of machine components for the cold season will help to avoid such troubles.

Rules for preparing batteries for winter

Activities to prepare the battery for winter can be divided into three stages:

1. Charging the unit.
2. Monitoring the quality of electrolyte and terminal voltage.
3. Insulation of the unit in the engine compartment with passive or electric heaters.

After removing the battery from the compartment, it is necessary to clean its surface from oil, sand and other contaminants. To improve the connection, remove deposits from the terminals using sandpaper. If the unit allows you to unscrew the filler plugs, then before connecting to the charger it is worth checking the electrolyte in terms of density and volume. When charging, it is worth remembering the following rules:

• the plugs must be unscrewed;
• the connection of two devices is carried out in accordance with polarity;
• It is better to carry out events in a garage or other ventilated non-residential premises;
• The charging cycle lasts about 12 hours.

In cold weather, it is especially important to prevent low electrolyte levels and density. To maintain the indicator at normal levels, you can use a special liquid that is sold in car dealerships.

To insulate the battery in the engine compartment in Russia, passive or electric heaters are used. The first type is made from a special material, achieving the principle of operation of a thermos. In the second case, the device runs on batteries.

The Katod company offers to buy batteries with delivery to St. Petersburg with the opportunity to get a discount for the old unit. We have products for all popular cars: batteries for BMW, batteries for Kia Sid, batteries for trucks.