As the cold weather approaches in Des Moines, IA, car owners should start to think about their car batteries. Similar to the summer heat, the freezing temperatures can be your car battery's worst enemy. While we cannot escape the cold winter, we can slow down its effects on our batteries. 

So why is the cold so damaging to your battery? Well, cold temperatures can slow the chemical reactions inside a lead-acid battery, making it harder to run. Additionally, when your engine is cold, your car battery is put under strain to warm it up. If you want to keep your battery running throughout the holidays and protect it from frigid temperatures, you may want to try the following tips!

Tip #1 - Be on the lookout for the signs of a bad battery. They are:

• Dimming lights, both interior, and exterior
• A less energetic car horn
• An odd smell in your car 
• The battery dashboard warning light comes on

These are just a few of the signs that you may need to replace your car battery. If your battery is more than several years old, you may want to consider replacing the battery before these signs even show. 

Tip #2 - Make sure you have a battery charger. If you are welcomed with an unexpectedly drained battery, having a battery charger on hand would be very beneficial. These devices are an excellent investment and can be stored in your trunk when not in use.

Tip #3 - Have your battery tested. We welcome you to Honest Wrenches for a quick and easy battery test anytime! Our certified techs can help you inspect your battery and offer you any advice regarding your battery.

Tip #4 - Clean your battery. We recommend you do regular battery inspections. All you have to do is open the hood from time to time and check for signs of corrosion. If you notice any gunk on the battery terminals, you can take your car to our shop and we can clean it for you!

Making it through the cold winter with a weakened battery can be tough. Don't make it worse by completely draining out your battery. For all your automotive needs, please consider Honest Wrenches for the job!