MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan 8, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Winter weather is tough
on a vehicle, but it is the battery that suffers the most when the temperatures
drop. Your vehicle's battery loses 33% of its power when the temperature dips
below freezing and over 50% of its power when the temperature falls below zero.
To make matters worse, your vehicle requires more power in the winter to turn
over the engine and run the heater and defroster. A weakened battery can easily
fail to start your vehicle, leaving you stranded in dangerously cold
temperatures.
Fortunately, performing proper battery maintenance can help you avoid getting
stuck when the weather turns cold. AutoZone, the nation's leading retailer of
automotive and light truck parts, recommends that drivers follow these
guidelines to help their batteries survive the winter:
* Clean your battery's terminals -- Imagine trying to drink out of a straw
while you're pinching the middle of it. Well, that's what it's like
when your car's battery has corroded terminals. The corrosion keeps
power from flowing freely from the battery, reducing the power that is
available to start the car. To avoid this, clean your battery terminals
with a wire brush or spray some battery cleaner on the terminals.
* Give your battery a good check-up -- If your battery is three years old
or older, you should have it tested to make sure it can survive the
coldest winter months. And don't forget to have your battery tested
before you take a long trip or after it's been recharged.
* Don't give up on your battery -- Just because you needed a boost to
start your car on a cold morning doesn't necessarily mean that you need
a new battery. Your battery depends on a properly functioning charging
system, so make sure the system is working well before buying a new
battery. Your local AutoZone can test both your battery and your
charging system for free, helping you save money and time by identifying
the real problem.
* Be smart when you jump-start -- If the battery fails, and you need to
jump-start a vehicle, be sure to follow the vehicle manufacturer
guidelines. Jump-starting incorrectly can be dangerous and can damage
the vehicle's electrical system, so always exercise caution when working
with the battery and other electrical components.
For free battery and charging system testing, and for more information on proper
battery maintenance, visit your nearby AutoZone store.
AutoZone (NYSE: AZO), founded in 1979, is the nation's leading retailer of
automotive and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories. Headquartered in
Memphis, Tennessee, AutoZone sells parts to do-it-yourself and professional
mechanics through over 3,000 AutoZone stores nationwide in the U.S. and 22
AutoZone stores in Mexico. AutoZone also sells automotive diagnostic and repair
software through ALLDATA, diagnostic and repair information through
alldatadiy.com, and auto and light truck parts through AutoZone.com. AutoZone
stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is included in the Standard &
Poors 500 Index.
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
CONTACT: Brett Shanaman of AutoZone, Inc., +1-901-495-6900