Freezing Minnesota winters can be tough on your car, especially on the battery. The cold drains a car battery of power while also slowing the internal chemical processes, weakening its ability to deliver voltage and start your car. Duluth drivers who neglect proper winter battery maintenance often face premature battery replacement in the coldest months.

Protect Your Car From the Cold

Try to limit how cold your car and battery become by parking in a garage overnight. A heated garage is ideal, but even an unheated garage provides some protective insulation against the cold. If you must park outside, consider investing in an insulated car cover, which will also protect the bodywork from frost and snow.  

Wrap Your Battery in a Snug Blanket 

If you’re serious about protecting your battery from the cold, you can wrap it in a battery blanket. These accessories come as either a battery-insulating cover or a blanket that includes a warming element and are typically very effective. 

Keep Your Battery Charged

Depleted or partially charged batteries freeze more easily than fully charged batteries, which are also less likely to drain overnight. It’s therefore important to keep your battery as close to fully charged as possible throughout winter. 

Use your car regularly, driving for at least 30 minutes a week. You can also keep your battery topped up with a trickle charger, which delivers a charge while your car is parked. 

Consider Battery Replacement Before Winter

The better prepared you are for winter, the better your car will fare. With this in mind, always test your battery before the temperature plummets. If it’s already starting to fade in power, it’s best to install a new one, which is far more likely to survive the cold. Car batteries tend to last from three to five years, so if yours is over three years old, you may need a new one soon.

Let Us Help With Your Winter Maintenance 

The start of winter is the most important time of the year for vehicle maintenance. Allow us to inspect and winterize your car to ensure it serves you well without mishaps, no matter how cold it gets. We can test your battery, install winter tires and windshield wipers, change your motor oil, prepare the coolant for the cold, and offer guidance on optimal winter driving and upkeep habits. Visit Kia Of Duluth in Duluth, MN, today.