6 Ways to Take Care of Your Jeep’s Battery This Winter

Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s easy to start looking forward to spring and summer, but the reality is that winter has only just started. We’ve got a few months of rough weather and serious cold that can take its toll on our vehicles and their batteries. Your Jeep’s battery deals with a lot of abuse, and even though it’s engineered to handle it, it still has a finite lifespan. Simple things like your headlights dimming, your interior lights flickering, and having a hard time starting your vehicle can all be warning signs that your car battery is dying.

Here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we’re dedicated to helping you find a vehicle you’ll love and get the most from for many years to come. That means providing all sorts of maintenance, including Jeep winter battery service, to ensure you can get to work each day, run errands as you need, and be there when your kids get out of school. Although you’ve missed the window for some pre-winter preparation, there are still plenty of steps you can take to be aware of how your battery is doing and care for it until the snow melts.

#1 – Have Your Battery Checked

Although winter is upon us, it’s not too late to get ahead of any problems you might encounter by coming to us to have your battery checked out. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make sure your vehicle’s battery is still in good shape. A battery check ensures you have peace of mind and know that your car will start every time you get in. We can take care of this as part of a dedicated trip or check your battery while doing other work like changing your oil, rotating your tires, or anything else that your vehicle needs. If the check reveals your battery is on its last legs, we can replace it on the spot with a factory Jeep battery.

#2 – Keep Track of Your Battery’s Age

We’ll admit that this might seem a bit much for some people, but we assure you it’s worth the effort. Car batteries are designed to provide a good span of reliable service, but no matter what you do or how careful you are, they will die eventually. One of the best ways to anticipate when it will be time for a new battery is to make a note of when your battery was new and how long it’s expected to last. Most batteries have about three to five years of life in them, though your driving habits and type of vehicle can affect this.

You should already have a log or schedule that you keep for when you need routine service for your vehicle––it’s easy to simply make a note of when you got a new battery and how long it’s expected to last in this service log. This way, you can keep track of when you started using the battery and have a general sense of how long it should last. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, and it’s possible that your battery could die before you expect or last longer than anticipated, but it’s always a good idea to have a game plan. Plus, when you can predict how long your battery will last, it becomes easier to watch for signs that it might die soon.

#3 – Watch for Dying Battery Warning Signs

Although it’s possible that a battery can simply die one day without any warning, that’s pretty rare. It’s much more common for there to be some warning signs that your battery is dying or going bad. The nice thing is that a lot of these signs are easy to watch for, and you can actively check for them if you feel like your battery is reaching the end of its run. Some of the most common warning signs include:

Dim headlights – Simply get in and turn on your lights to see if they’re as bright as usual or if they’re dim or flickering.
Electrical problems – Issues with your vehicle’s electrical systems can also indicate a dying battery. If you notice your heated seats aren’t working, your radio is not functioning, or your power windows are erratic, these can all be signs your battery is near its end.
Corrosion on the battery connectors – Pop your hood and look at the terminals that connect your battery to your Jeep. If you see blue-green powder or crystals that look kind of like dry skin, then that can be a sign your battery is going bad.
Rotten-egg smell – A dying battery will often produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. If you notice this smell while driving, a new battery should be on your shopping list.
Difficulty starting – If your Jeep clicks while you’re starting it or takes longer than expected to start, your battery might be dying. This can also indicate issues with your alternator or even the starter, but we can figure that out for you.

These are all good indications that your battery might need to be replaced soon. If you notice any of these signs, then come to us right away so we can check your battery for you and replace it if needed. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere this winter.

#4 – Reduce the Impact of Cold on Your Battery

Cold weather can really do a number on your car battery, but there are ways you can reduce how badly the temperature takes its toll. If you have a garage, parking inside is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle warmer and protect it from the cold. You can even buy an electric battery blanket that plugs into an outlet to help keep your battery warm. If you’re not in a situation where you can park inside, try to park your Jeep so that the front is protected from the wind if possible. It also helps to make sure your battery is getting fully charged when you drive. If you take lots of very short trips, you may be draining your battery without giving the alternator a chance to top it off.

#5 – Keep Your Battery Clean

Remember when we said to look for powdery residue and corrosion on your battery terminals? If you see any, it’s a good idea to clean it off. You can do this easily using a wire brush or sandpaper. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection while doing this––battery acid is no joke, and it can cause serious damage to your skin, eyes, and other parts of your body. If you would prefer, our service department can handle this task for you.

#6 – Act Quickly When Something Is Wrong

We’ve already mentioned this a couple times, but it’s so important that we wanted to really stress this point. If you notice any signs that your battery is starting to expire, or if you know that it is reaching the end of its life, then it’s vital that you act quickly. A dying battery is absolutely not something you want to ignore––it won’t go away, and it’s a pretty good way to get yourself into a really bad situation. We know that replacing a battery isn’t a lot of fun, but it’s definitely better than finding yourself stranded on the side of the road or in a dark parking lot as snow begins to bury your Jeep.

Here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we can help you with a dying battery or any other service and maintenance needs you have. As soon as you start to see warning signs that your battery is nearing the end of its run, come to us and let us take care of your vehicle for you. We’ll get you back on the road quickly, and you’ll know that your ride is in the best condition possible. You deserve to drive with confidence this winter, which is exactly what we’re here to provide.