It's been a milder winter in West Michigan so far, but the nights are still cold enough to freeze a battery. If you've been having trouble starting your vehicle in the morning, it's probably time to replace it.

Batteries contain chemicals which react to store and discharge electricity. Your vehicle's battery needs to store enough power to turn over the engine via the starter motor. This is more difficult in the cold for two reasons: first, motor oil is slightly more viscous in cold weather which creates more resistance, and secondly, the cold slows down the chemical reaction that releases electricity.

If your battery is getting worn out, you may not notice until the cold weather arrives. While you should replace your battery every 5 years, sometimes you need one sooner. In this article, we'll explain how batteries work, why they wear out, and things you can do to prolong their life.

What Purpose Does a Battery Serve on a Vehicle?

Auto batteries serve two main functions within a vehicle:

• Store and deliver enough power for the starter motor and spark plugs to start the engine.
• Manage "keep alive" functions like clocks, security, and memory.

When you start your vehicle, the battery sends about 400 amps of current to the starter motor, turning the engine over until combustion starts. Once the engine is running, the Alternator generates electricity for the spark plugs and everything else in your vehicle that needs electricity like your headlights, dashboard, stereo, and more. It also recharges the battery for next time.

How Do I Keep My Battery Healthy

Maintaining a battery is pretty easy. With normal use, your battery should last about 5 years with low to no maintenance.

Vehicle batteries are designed to deliver a lot of power all at once, but draining them all the way will damage them. Each time this happens it shortens the life of your battery. You can prevent this by ensuring accessories and lights are turned off when you get out of the vehicle. However, a dead battery can happen to the best of us and once or twice usually isn't a big deal.

Quick Fix For Corroded Terminals

If you sometimes have trouble starting, sometimes not, it might not be the battery itself - it could be corroded terminals. If it's an issue, you'll see it right away: blue-green deposits on the battery posts but don't touch it. The Borgman Service Center can fix for you, but with a little elbow grease and a measure of caution, you can also clean these up yourself. All you'll need a wrench, baking soda, an old toothbrush, a tub with hot water, and safety gear.

Safely disconnect the battery while wearing gloves and eye protection, then scrub the corrosion off of the posts with some baking soda and warm water. An old, plastic toothbrush works best for this. If you're in a pinch, such as on the side of the road, you can also use a little bit of cola or any soft drink that contains sodium bicarbonate. It could work well enough to get you home for a proper cleaning.

Once they're clean, thoroughly dry the terminals and battery posts and thinly coat them with dielectric grease or petroleum jelly. Then, reconnect the battery per your manual's instructions.

If you see any cracks or leaks in your battery, stop immediately, bag it up, and bring it in to the Borgman Service Center to legally recycle it and for a replacement.

Having Battery or Electrical Issues? Trust The Experts at the Borgman Service Center

If you're having trouble starting your vehicle or strange electrical issues, the Borgman Service Center Team is here to help. Use our easy Online Scheduler to make your appointment online or feel free to Contact Us by email or phone to discuss your vehicle.

We've been keeping West Michigan moving for over 60 years and counting. Come see why we're the Best in the West!