MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 -- Corrosion of your battery terminals
can be a major source of problems in cold weather. 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. Just be sure to wear safety glasses and take proper safety
measures when working with a battery.
-
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. Once again,
you should always wear safety glasses and take all appropriate safety
measures to prevent injury.
For free battery and charging system testing, and for more information on
proper battery maintenance, visit your nearby AutoZone store.
About AutoZone
As of August 31, 2002, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts,
chemicals and accessories through 3,068 AutoZone stores in 44 states plus the
District of Columbia, 39 AutoZone stores in Mexico and online at
http://www.autozone.com. AutoZone also sells automotive diagnostic and repair
software through ALLDATA and http://www.alldatadiy.com .
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
/CONTACT: Media: Ray Pohlman, +1-901-495-7962, ray.pohlman@autozone.com,
or Financial: Jay Cook, +1-901 495-7005, jay.cook@autozone.com, both of
AutoZone, Inc. /
/Web site: http://www.autozone.com