Tip of the Day: Give your battery a check-up this winter

Cars nowadays are pretty reliable. Many cars don't require any scheduled maintenance for thousands of miles. But the battery in your car is pretty much the same as when it was invented in 1859, which means that you should pay attention to it. Over time, the battery's ability to hold a charge decreases, and eventually a battery will wear out.

So when should you check up on the battery? Once a season is my rule of thumb. And I recommend checking your battery when the weather starts getting cold (like right now!). Cold weather slows the electrochemical reaction in the battery, effectively reducing its output. So winter is when your battery is weakest and when it is most likely to let you down.

Take your car down to an auto parts store - they will usually test your battery with a portable tester for free. Or you can ask a trusted mechanic to give it a quick test. It's a simple and easy way to help ensure you don't get stranded in the cold!

Oh, and if you find out your battery is dead? Please recycle it. Take it to an auto parts store and they will take it in exchange for a new one.