Today, Parkside Motors turns 45! This has been an incredible journey, and today we take a look back at all of the milestones that lead us here.
When the cold weather is upon us there are a few things you need to know to make sure that you survive the start of the cold season without a malfunction in your charging or electrical system. When winter comes, your battery is hit with a wicked combo:
- Power output drops due to cold weather
- Its ability to accept a charge is reduced, so the battery doesn’t recharge as quickly when you’re driving
- The battery load increases due to lights, blowers, wipers, heated seats, rear-window defroster etc are all used more/at once
This is why the fall is a key time to have your battery load tested and all of the components inspected so you can get out in front of any potential problems. We have written two in-depth articles on these topics and I am going to outline them below for you. Please read up and be sure to send us a message or give us a call to book your next regularly scheduled maintenance. We will check the charging system right along with your oil and filter.
Need to Know: Your Battery & Charging System
We like to say that knowledge is power, but in this case, knowledge about your car battery actually IS power. Your battery is a part of your vehicle you never think about until the day you jump in your car to go to work and the engine won’t turn over. Your GPS, stereo, lights, ignition, and climate control all draw a significant amount of power, and without it everything grinds to a halt. Let’s take a quick look at how batteries work, how to maintain them, and how to get out in front of a failing battery before you are left stranded.
Need to Know: Battery Load Tests
Batteries have a limited life and will eventually require replacement. When a battery fails, the vehicle will not start and could leave you stranded, requiring a tow or battery boost. If you have ever gone to the ferry and seen the one stranded car from the previous sailing that could not survive 20 minutes with the radio on without killing the battery then you have seen the effects of a weak battery on day-to-day island life.