Wintertime: Battery Maintenance & Storage

If you store the battery of your vehicle over the winter, some things should be considered:

Store battery over the winter – checklist

• For long storage or infrequent use, disconnect the battery cables from the vehicle to eliminate battery drain from electrical equipment.
• Fully charge battery before storage using a Yuasa approved charger.
• Regularly check battery as advised on battery maintenance page
• If possible, remove battery from vehicle
  • Clean the battery and terminals with a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize any electrolyte that may be on the outside of the battery.
  • Be careful that nothing enters the battery during cleaning.
  • The same solution can be used to clean the battery compartment to neutralize any electrolyte that may be present.
  • Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
  • After the battery is cleaned, inspect carefully for any signs of damage or extraordinary wear that may have occurred during use. If you have any concerns, you should seek the advice of a mechanic or a battery specialist.
• When removing your vehicle from storage for use, follow the same steps above and the steps on the battery maintenance page to check the battery’s condition.
• Even with proper maintenance, batteries will not last forever and will need to eventually be replaced.