Hands up if it hasn't happened to you: you're sitting in your car early in the morning in the bitter cold. You want to go to work. You turn the ignition key and only hear a quiet click. Nothing happens because the car battery is empty.
Good advice is valuable now. Bridging is an option and takes time. It is better to pay a little attention to the car battery beforehand. TÜV Rheinland has published a few tips on this. For example, cleanliness helps prevent discharge in winter. But also avoid short journeys, because short journeys are “stress” for the battery.
Car battery: You should heed these tips!
The car battery is a weak point in the vehicle: in 2020, battery defects were responsible for almost half of all breakdowns. However, batteries give up during the winter far more often than the annual average. Icy temperatures are hard on all batteries, but are most severe on older batteries whose capacity has decreased over time. While car batteries per se lose a third of their power at minus 10 degrees Celsius, a third more electricity is required to start a cold engine because the icy cold has made the engine oil more viscous.
The significantly higher energy requirement in combination with short journeys can quickly become a problem for the battery. “Lights, windshield wipers, air conditioning as well as seat, window and mirror heating are power guzzlers that can bring a car battery to its knees in sub-zero temperatures,” says Thorsten Rechtien, automotive expert at TÜV Rheinland. “On short journeys, the alternator simply cannot recharge the battery. This only works on longer journeys after the car has warmed up and the battery is no longer being used by heating and other power consumers.”
Care extends the lifespan! On average, car batteries last between five and six years, depending on usage. However, with a little care and a charger, the lifespan can be extended. A clean battery discharges more slowly because leakage currents can arise on dirty poles, which puts additional strain on the battery. A clear warning sign of a weak battery is the sluggish starter motor. This is not a reason to replace the battery, but it is a clear indication to charge it immediately. “If the vehicle is stationary for a longer period of time, the battery should be disconnected if possible and then connected to a charger. Deep discharging should be avoided at all costs, otherwise the battery may no longer be able to be charged at all,” explains automotive expert Thorsten Rechtien.
Not to be despised: checking the battery during the general inspection. The 12-volt battery is also checked as part of the regular general inspection. Is the battery in good condition, with no visible damage and is it securely fastened? Such points are among the approximately 160 criteria that experts check during the regular general inspection. Such checks serve to rule out obvious electrical hazards, but the capacity and performance of the battery are not checked in detail. Further information on preparing for the HU can be found at www.tuv.com/hu at TÜV Rheinland.
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