2020 has been tough on car batteries. Have yours checked!

News
Published on October 29, 2020

The hot summer of 2020 and changes in driving patterns have made this year a tough one on car batteries. Here’s proof: demand for CAA-Quebec’s Battery Service more than doubled during the spring. This year it’s especially important to have your battery tested before winter.

Car batteries are sneaky. They deteriorate in the summer heat, but don’t show any signs of weakness until they have to deliver bigger amounts of power. Then they suddenly give up the ghost on the first cold winter morning.

What do you? Call CAA-Quebec for a tow, a boost, or Battery Service,1 which is included in your membership. A patroller comes to your workplace or home, does a full battery test, and replaces it if necessary. In just a few minutes, you get a brand new, professionally installed battery, and you haven’t had to go anywhere.

Staying still is bad for batteries

Lockdown, working from home, and changes in driving patterns during the pandemic have weakened car batteries. They recharge while you’re driving, so when you’re on the road only a little or not at all, your battery drains and doesn’t have time to recharge.

Demand for CAA-Quebec Battery Service up sharply

That’s what happened to many vehicles during the 2020 lockdown. Demand for Battery Service more than doubled (+137.7%) in May 2020 over the same month the year before. It was up 95% in April and 30% year over year at the end of September.

Have your battery tested before winter to avoid an unpleasant surprise

In addition to the lockdown, the hot summer in Quebec also affected batteries.

That’s not one but two good reasons to be extra cautious this fall and have your battery tested at a trustworthy garage or a CAA-Quebec Approved Auto Repair Service Location or by a Battery Service patroller. Battery testing only takes a few minutes and is easy to have done at the same time as routine maintenance at a garage. It’s also time to install your winter tires and load up on must-have winter accessories.

CAA-Quebec battery maintenance tips

  • Do not exceed 10 seconds per start attempt and wait 30 seconds between attempts.
  • Avoid short trips and do all your errands in a single outing.
  • Use an engine block heater.
  • Use synthetic oil (if authorized by the automaker).
  • More tips for starting your car in cold weather.

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1 Daytime Battery Service is available in Gatineau, Laval, Lévis, Montreal (North and South Shore), Quebec City, Saguenay, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Jérôme, Sherbrooke, and Trois-Rivières. It is not offered during very cold weather due to occupational health and safety concerns.