Cold weather can place an enormous burden on your car with your battery straining to provide the juice needed to help it run. If your battery is not working optimally or dies, then you may find that heat and lights are not working at full capacity or your car’s engine might not turn over, leaving you stranded.

Your car's battery is under assault due to winter weather conditions.

CarMax, the nation’s largest used car retailer, offers some timely advice about car batteries that we’re happy to share with SayEducate readers. “Car batteries supply electrical energy to retain the memory in the onboard computers as well as the energy needed to start the engine,” said Tom Damon, ASE Master Technician for CarMax. “Proper maintenance is vital to keep your vehicle running year round, especially during the harsh winter months.”

Let’s review some of the do’s and don’ts of battery care as offered by the CarMax technicians:

Do’s

* Wear proper eye, hand and clothing protection when working with batteries.
* Check the terminals where cables connect to be sure they are tight and corrosion free. If corrosion is present, have terminals cleaned by a professional.
* Lubricate terminals with a dab of petroleum jelly to keep cables clean and free from corrosion.
* Make sure the battery is firmly secured to its mounting bracket. An unsecured battery can become damaged and cause short circuits.
* Check the fluid level unless it’s a maintenance-free battery. If the fluid is low, add distilled water. If there is no fluid visible, then replace the battery.
* Keep your battery case clean. Dirt conducts electricity and can discharge the battery. Use a solution of baking soda dissolved in warm water to clean the battery. Wet the case and agitate with a nylon bristle brush to scrub surface. Rinse well with plain water.
* Batteries come in many different sizes. When replacing a car battery, make sure you choose the right size for your vehicle. When it comes to car batteries, bigger is not always better.
* Prior to disconnecting the battery, check manufacturer specifications on what items may be disrupted when disconnecting the battery. For example, the radio may require a security code when the battery has been disconnected.
* Always disconnect the negative cable first and reconnect it last.
* Charge battery in a well-ventilated area.

Don’ts

* If your battery is frozen, do not charge it, as it may explode! One visual sign of a frozen battery is that the sides are bowed out. This condition is dangerous; the battery will need to be replaced.
* If you need to charge your battery yourself, switch the charger to a low-charge setting. Most chargers have this feature, but if not, have a professional charge the battery.
* Don’t charge a dead battery with a car’s alternator. An alternator is not designed to function as a charger, and it may be damaged or have a shortened life as a result.
* Never lean over a battery when charging, testing, or jump-starting the engine.
* Don’t disconnect battery cables while engine is running (your battery acts as a filter).
* Don’t let the battery get totally discharged. Most car batteries get their power from lead cells submerged in electrolyte and these cells can be damaged when the battery is totally discharged.
* Don’t let the battery get hot while charging.

If you are not familiar with battery maintenance, most any major auto parts retailer can test your battery for free. Some stores offer battery charging services too which can ensure that your battery is ready to take on winter’s worst.

Source: CarMax

Save money on energy & stay safe!

A winter chill has settled across most of the eastern two-thirds of America, a shocking reminder to many that winter is here. Record cold has pushed into Florida, historic snow drifts have been observed in the Dakotas, while ice is threatening to freeze the Potomac River.

Relief may be months away, but that does not mean Americans cannot survive, even thrive when winter dishes out its worst. Many people are concerned that come their next heating bill, they’ll be in for some unpleasant news. While heating prices have eased somewhat in recent months, sky high energy bills are still possible. To that end, the American Red Cross offers the following tips on how to reduce energy output while staying warm:

Heat your home safely

• All heaters need space! Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.

• Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface.

• Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over.

• Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.

• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

• Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn them off before leaving or going to bed.

• Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Cut down on your heating bills

• Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.

• Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture.

• Turn down the thermostat.

• Close off any rooms that aren’t in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.

• Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.

• Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.

• Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed.

• Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

Don’t forget Fido and your neighbor

• Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don’t forget gloves or mittens, and a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep feet warm and dry and to maintain footing in ice and snow.

• Don’t forget pets — bring them indoors. If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.

• Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Finally, if there is an emergency call for help right away. Treacherous roads can slow down first responders, making quick action on your part important.

Source: American Red Cross

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