Working from home can hurt your car
In these times, many people have taken the step to work from home. New technology has allowed that to happen much easier than it would just a decade ago. Even the ability to shop online including grocery delivery means we will not have to leave the comfort of our home, and even our pajamas as we tackle the daily grind in comfort. There is, however, something that can become an issue, the lack of use of our vehicle.
There are some advantages of working from home and leaving our vehicle alone for days on end. Less mileage on the vehicle means less fuel expenses, regular maintenance appointments can be stretched out and you may even get a chance to save on your auto insurance. But there can be a negative impact of your vehicle just sitting there while you’re warm and cozy in your home.
From lack of use, the battery of your vehicle may become weaker or perhaps die, especially in the cold winter season. Typically, we use the battery a lot more in summer months, but it’s those times that can add the wear and tear to the battery that makes it tough during winter months. But let’s be clear with one thing, the battery does not do what a lot of us think it does.
The main purpose of the battery is to provide enough electrical current to start the engine. After that, it’s not really used. The alternator is what provides electrical current to the vehicle when the engine is running to run the lights, wipers, heater, and fan. Like most batteries, after it’s used repeatedly, it gets weak and provides less power to operate what you need. That’s where the alternator comes in. It charges the battery each time you drive. However, if the battery is getting old, it may need replacement. One thing we can do to help prolong the life of a car battery is to drive the vehicle.
Leaving your vehicle parked for long periods of time, especially in cold weather isn’t so good for the battery. Give the battery a chance to survive by driving it for 5 or 10 minutes, at least once or twice a week. That will allow the alternator a chance to recharge the battery to full capacity. If you plan to keep your vehicle parked for some time, ensure all electrical accessories are turned off, such as the blower fan, wipers and stereo. It would also be a good idea to unplug any phone chargers too. The reason for making these moves is the battery will send an electrical charge to each of those items as it also sends a charge to start the engine. Give the battery a chance to do the job it was intended to do.
If your battery does die and you need a boost, having your vehicle backed into the driveway makes it a lot easier for the booster cables to reach your vehicle from another. Having a booster pack is also a good idea in case there are no other vehicles close by to help.
If you’re working from home and a very cold spell is in the area, you may want to use a battery blanket, park the vehicle in a garage or even use a block heater. A block heater warms the coolant, which in turn warms the engine and the oil. This helps the engine turn over easier in frigid temperatures. That can help the battery do its job of starting the engine when you’re ready to drive again. Now you just need to your job.
**Have a quick listen to this short episode of the “Speed Bumps” podcast as it offers further ideas to avoid having your battery die!