Car Guys?

Car Guys? (Full Version)

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candystripper -> Car Guys? (8/12/2008 4:50:46 AM)
I am looking for a solution to a problem I face every winter. I own a 1995 Buick with a battery I believe was warranteed for three years -- this is year three -- and in winter I rarely drive. Well, I rarely drive period, and then often only a few blocks. In winter, at least once, the car won't start because the battery is dead. Jumping doesn't seem to be a solution unless its something I want to do from the failure point until spring every time I drive the car. Getting it repaired -- which has meant replacing the battery or having it recharged fully by the mechanic -- will be a difficulty ths year, and so I'm looking to instead head off the problem. If I replace the battery now, will it be so 'fresh' I can avoid this problem? Or should I invest in a device to charge the battery I have? Or is there some other solution? Thank you to anyone mechanically talented who responds. candystripper P.S. I live in Cleveland and the first failure seems to happen after the first long freeze, usually in January.

sub4hire -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 5:44:37 AM)
Yeah probably not the car guy you expected to respond? I grew up under the hood of a car helping my father. Anyway the problem is its too damn cold in Cleveland for your battery to survive. So replacing it isn't going to help you. You're best off by buying a trickle charger. Puts a little bit of juice in the battery all the time. Never putting too much in. Leave it on forever or until you want to drive the car. When you're done driving it...put it back on. It should help you. They do have higher cranking batteries but I've noticed being in NE they don't exactly work any better than any other battery. I went through the same thing the first winter we were here with our classic pick up truck. Last year decided to go the trickle route..it worked wonderfully.

Quivver -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 6:02:46 AM)
I'm gonna disagree. Having lived in Cleveland for a number of years myself I'm aware of how cold it can get and what that does to your power source. A 3 years old battery is still a three year old battery and honestly it's lack of use could be part of the issue. Sure trickle or charging will work, but it's a pain in the ass. Buy a new one, it doesnt have to be expensive either, I've used the 39.99 ones with good results. Also keep in mind how and where you park. Garage is best, but if you are stuck parking outside remember not to face it north or north east considering where the wind and snow come in from. Also make sure you turn off things each time you park it, like the heater, radio, blower motor and any light that will also pull a drain on the battery as you start it.

pahunkboy -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 7:13:29 AM)
easy fix. disconnect it. I started doing this in my truck. It drains. BTW- cheap batteries are a thing of the past. This one cost $80 and WAS the cheap one. You have to get the right size. Too small will not suit. Anyhow- I reconnect the battery when I use the truck which is maybe1 per week. then when i treturn i disconnect. yes it is a hastle- but it has worked for me in my situation.

mistoferin -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 7:29:14 AM)
I don't know for sure how old my battery is but it must be at least 7 years old. Living in the cold of Michigan, if there are days that I am not going to drive it I at least go out and start it and let it run until it warms up. If you're not going anywhere, don't try to start it early at the coldest part of the morning, wait until the warmest part of the day so it doesn't have to work as hard to fire. You can't leave a car sit like that in those temperatures and expect everything to run properly. Also, make sure that your antifreeze is tested before winter sets in to make sure it is at it's optimal temperature protection level.

pahunkboy -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 7:33:49 AM)
I have always gotten MORE use out of a battery. I am 44. a 3 yr battery will last 5-6 years. so I would not worry the 4th year. watch for raggy cables and a clear connection. the gunk will wreck the performance.

candystripper -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 9:43:46 AM)
Okay...let's assume I master opening the car hood. How do I attach a trickle charger? How much do they cost? How do I disconnect the battery? How do I reconnect it? Do I need tools? I've been told many times to get out and run the car for a long distance...say 5 miles...every other day...but frankly this is an option of absolute last resort for me. Assuming I'm driven to it, would it work? Thank you to everyone who responded...what a pleasure that it was mainly fems! candystripper

pahunkboy -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 10:41:49 AM)
you need a pair of plyers, simple unscrew the cable of it. http://automechanics.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/how-to-recharge-a-dead-battery/ oh- if this is a big worry- then get jumper cables. spend the entra and get the longer pair. it sucks to need a few more inches to reach. a charger will run $30. i have a broken one.

MercTech -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 11:37:26 AM)
A trickle charger helps. Clamps to the battery terminals and plugs in to 110v. <$20 at Wal-Mart or any auto parts store. The best thing for cold weather is a block heater and plug the car in each night. Keep it warm and it lasts longer. Heck, in Idaho, they had plugs in the parking lot at work so you could plug in and be sure your car starts at the end of the day. And, to keep a battery healthy.. check the water level and top with DISTILLED WATER. Most tap water will reduce battery life. <ask for the chemistry if you really want to know> Oh, keep the battery charged. A weak battery will freeze. A charged battery is good to -10 degrees easy. Stefan

Termyn8or -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 12:11:49 PM)
Yup, once it freezes it is pretty much over. But I think there is an easier solution, they now have trickle chargers that plug into the cigarette lighter. Don't even have to open the hood. Don't even worry about closing the door on the wire, it won't hurt it. The main problem is that the lighter works with the key shut off. In some cars they do not. If that's the case you have to figure something else. In a 1995 Buick I think it does. The lighter socket can handle the current of a trickle charge, you are not trying to jumpstart it, I doubt it will pull an ampere. Of course do not forget to unplug it before starting the car. That would blow the fuse most likely. Also, if you can't find a trickle charger that plugs into a lighter I can easily wire one up. Cost you a six pack of beer. Seriously, it is really no problem. It would take me ten minutes at most. Problem solved. The best solution would be to drive the car every day, but the days of joyriding are over. With the traffic and the assholes out there, not to mention the cost of gas, it becomes the less desirable option. I used to love driving, now I hate it. Driving is the best option for one main reason, the motion tends to knock the bubbles off the plates of the battery, which will give it a better charge. We get many many years out of a battery, if the car is driven every day. I trickle charger should work though. T

daddysliloneds -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 3:21:01 PM)
drive to a full service gas station or a local shop and have them show you how to open your hood, check your oil, check your radiator, check your brake fluid, etc.... it is my opinion that no one should be allowed to own a car without knowing how to pop open their own hood. do you at least know how to open your gas cap to fuel up?

camille65 -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 3:25:15 PM)
It was part of drivers ed when I was younger, learning the basics of car care. Is that something that is no longer done? OP you can also read your owners manual, that has a lot of information and usually diagrams showing where things are. I too think it is important that the basics be known, topping of fluids and jumping a battery are pretty important to know. You should also keep a car emergency kit especially as a cold weather driver, even if you usually drive a couple of blocks emergencies happen. Being prepared can make the difference between being inconvienianced (major sp) and being in danger.

bipolarber -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 3:41:12 PM)
MercTech is quite right. Wet cell batteries operate via a chemical reaction. When it gets well below freezing, that chemical reaction slows down, and you end up with a seemingly dead battery. The solution is to keep the battery and the engine block nice and warm... a block heater is a good idea simply because it will keep the oil warm too... thus cutting the wear and tear on your engine, as it tries to pump the frozen molasses that is your engine's oil. Think of it as an electric blanket for your car.

PanthersMom -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 3:51:45 PM)
yes winter in cleveland can be brutal. being prepared by getting a winter tune up helps. running the car for a little while on cold days helps. the trickle charger is a good idea, as is a block warmer. so is a membership to AAA. keep the car minimally stocked with provisions in case you're stranded. keep a phone list of friends with 4x4's and plows. all good ideas when wintering in cleveland. and if you turn on the tv and find the regular weather people have flown the coop, stock your shelves, lol!! PM

bipolarber -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 4:55:34 PM)
Oh, I agree on the AAA membership... $35 a year, and you get three free tows? Hell, they charge you $150 just to hook up to your car... One tow, and you've paid back for four years! (and they'll bring you enough gas to get you to the next station... or change your tire for ya... free maps... hotel reviews... In a world of rip offs, AAA is one of the few real bargains left!

Alumbrado -> RE: Car Guys? (8/12/2008 5:01:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: daddysliloneds drive to a full service gas station or a local shop and have them show you how to open your hood, check your oil, check your radiator, check your brake fluid, etc.... it is my opinion that no one should be allowed to own a car without knowing how to pop open their own hood. do you at least know how to open your gas cap to fuel up? I'd call up the local Vo-Tech/community college and ask if one of their automotive instructors would do that, or if they have a quick seminar for the mechanically disadvantaged. Going to a repair shop (are there any full service gas stations anymore?) and telling them you know nothing, is a pretty good way to be told how many expensive repairs they've 'discovered' under your hood.

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