It is generally accepted that a short trip is no more than 5-8 km of running. Having overcome such a distance, the car does not have time to really warm up. In winter, regular but short journeys are particularly harmful to the battery.
The battery of a car that only makes short journeys somehow charges itself in the summer. The starter consumes a small current to start the engine, the battery begins to charge immediately after starting the engine, and the number of power consumers turned on is small.
But in winter, the situation worsens in all directions. A frozen engine with thickened oil is difficult to turn over with a starter. Immediately after starting the engine, the driver must switch on numerous heaters, a heater fan, wipers, headlights …
Expert opinion
Alexey Revinexpert “Behind the wheel”:
– The most unpleasant thing is that the battery almost does not accept a charge at a low electrolyte temperature. Up to a temperature of minus 30 ° C, it completely loses this ability. Until the battery has warmed up from the heat of the engine, charging will not start. And if the battery is insufficiently charged, its life will be significantly reduced.
When it freezes in winter, the engine cannot be started and the battery housing can be cracked by ice. The latter will lead to the ingress of electrolyte on the car parts and cause corrosion and even destruction.
How do you prevent the battery from discharging in winter?
Method 1
The simplest way is alternate short rides with longer ones. At least once a week, but in the cold and more often, it is necessary for the engine to run for at least an hour, and not at idle, but at high speeds.
Method 2
To help the battery warm up faster from the engine and take charge, remove the heat-insulating cover that some car manufacturers put on the battery.
Method 3
There is a more interesting solution when plates that heat the battery are placed in the purchased heat-insulating cover. Such a system consumes a very small current and contributes to faster heating of the battery, after which charging becomes possible.
Method 4
Using a car blanket helps. It covers both the motor and the battery, allowing it to warm up noticeably faster.
Method 5
And the last way would be to periodically charge the battery from a dedicated power source. You can charge the battery without disconnecting it from the car’s electrical equipment.
Lifehack when charging a battery
An important condition is the choice of reliable chargers with protection systems. Then there are no problems with different car settings when it is de-energized.
And if the battery has to be removed in order to take it home to recharge, then it makes sense to connect a small energy source directly “hot” to the on-board power supply instead. It can be a battery from a computer uninterruptible power supply or even three 18650 batteries connected in series.
Such a “settings keeper” will allow you to properly charge the removed car battery in the apartment at night.
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Among other things, it is necessary that the car’s alternator and charging circuits are in perfect working order. Otherwise, undercharging can destroy the battery not only in winter, but even in the warm season.
7 consequences of winter use: how short trips ruin a car, read in our material.
Photo: Depositphotos and “Drive”