Important Tips for Car Battery Maintenance

It’s early 2018, and North America is still contending with a deep freeze and some nasty winter weather. Erie, Pennsylvania, got more than 50 inches of snow over the holidays, and several northeastern US cities set records for cold weather. Montreal, Canada, spent six consecutive days with the temperature below 1 degree F. Amid all this shivering, our cars and trucks have been suffering. We’ve seen people lined up at auto parts stores to buy new car batteries. What is it about the cold that gives a car battery such a hard time? Read on to find out some important facts about car battery maintenance.

Taxing the Electrical System

A while back, we took a very detailed look at how car batteries work, explaining the chemistry behind releasing electrons as energy. We won’t punish you with the high-school chem lab rigmarole again.

When your battery has a full charge, the outside temperature can typically reach well below -50F before the battery starts to freeze. Conversely, a depleted battery will start to freeze just below 30F. Once the battery freezes, you won’t be moving any electrons anywhere quickly.

For a normal lead-acid battery, in excellent condition with a full charge, the battery should be around 12.6 to 12.7 volts when measured without any load. When depleted by about 50 percent, the battery will read around 12.3 volts. 12.0V means you have about 25 percent charge left. Finally, anything less than 11.9 means the battery is dead. The range is not very wide and most people think that if the battery is at 12.0 volts, it’s fine.

The Downward Spiral of Energy Reserve

The problem with cold weather and battery performance isn’t typically caused by temperature alone. As temperatures drop, we find ourselves using seat heaters, rear window defrosters and heated steering wheels, and of course we have the heater blower cranked all the way up! These electrical loads tax your charging system and draw current away from your battery. If you drive a short distance to work, say less than 15 minutes, you will find the charge level of your battery drops slowly day after day.

Over the holidays, many people change their routine. One option is to stay at home, cuddled up by the fire or the cozy glow of your plasma TV. Another option is to head to the airport and hop on a plane to somewhere warm for a week. Sure, there are still lots of people who have to work over the holidays, and their routines don’t change much.

For those who let their vehicles sit for several days, circuits like keyless entry systems and the clock continue to function. Even if they only draw 10 to 15mA of current, they will slowly drain the reserve out of your battery.

When we start our vehicles in cold weather, the oil in the engine and transmission are much thicker. This dramatically increases the current required to turn the starter motor. If it took 200 Amps to start your car on a nice sunny summer day, it’s not even remotely unreasonable for that number to double when the temperature is below freezing.

But Wait, There’s More!

So, now we have a battery that isn’t being charged very quickly when we drive, combined with reduced current delivery capabilities and significantly higher power requirements to start the car. It’s no wonder that cars don’t start when it’s cold out.

Now, let’s say you’re a smart cookie, and you decide to let your car idle a few minutes before you drive off. In terms of protecting your engine, this is the best idea in the world! Getting some heat into your motor oil will help thin it out and let it do its job better. Fuel will atomize better as the temperature of your engine increases. The downside is that most alternators don’t produce their full charging voltage at idle. So, while you may be doing wonderful things for the engine, you may not be charging the battery very much.

Batteries by the Numbers

Aside from not being to charge our batteries as quickly, and the fact that we need more current, batteries themselves simply do not perform as well when the temperature starts to drop. Let’s look at two common battery specifications: Cranking Amps and Cold Cranking Amps. The Cranking Amps specification defines the amount of current a battery can supply for 30 seconds when it is at 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) and maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts. The Cold Cranking Amp specification is similar but with a temperature of 0 degrees F (-17.8 degrees C). Sadly, the reality of this specification is that 7.2 volts isn’t enough to get much work done. The flip side? We often don’t need to crank the engine for 30 seconds. Therefore, it all works out.

Your battery can’t produce as much energy when it’s cold because the rate at which the chemical conversation takes place is slowed down, increasing electrolyte resistance.

Taking Care of Your Battery in the Cold

When the mercury is slated to drop, or you won’t be driving your vehicle for more than three or four days, put a charger on it.

Please pay attention to this part. Not all battery chargers are equal. Those manually controlled, dual-rate chargers in the metal case at Walmart are NOT what you want.

Look for a battery charger that says it’s computer-controlled, automatic or intelligent. You will want to see some indication that the charger has different charging modes. The charger needs to be intelligent enough to stop pumping current into the battery once it’s charged.

Some of the best chargers have as many as eight steps/modes in their charging process. These can include processes that will break down sulfates that have adhered to the lead plates and prevent stratification when the battery is unused for a long period. Do your research before you buy.

Regular Battery Maintenance

Wouldn’t it be nice if our vehicles had a battery level indicator like our cell phones have? Knowing whether we have 70 percent or 30 percent charge left would dramatically improve the way we care for our batteries. Try to make it a habit of keeping the battery topped up. If you have sat in a parking lot listening to the radio for 20 minutes or made several short trips without a good long one to recharge the battery, connect your charger overnight and fill it up. It’s also a good idea to use your battery charger whenever you get your oil changed as a precaution. A well-maintained battery will last much longer than one that spends its life half-depleted.

If your battery has removal caps that allow you to check the electrolyte level, be sure to check the battery frequently. If the level is low, add distilled water. Do not use tap water. The minerals in the water will reduce the capacity of your battery.

You will also want to check all the battery connections. Are the power and ground connections tight? Is there any corrosion? If anything seems out of sorts, seek the assistance of a professional to ensure energy can flow from your battery efficiently and reliably.

Battery Care for Mobile Electronics Enthusiasts

A lot of car audio lovers forget to maintain their battery. The guys who compete in SPL contests are fanatical about battery maintenance. They have come up with all sorts of tricks to get the most voltage possible out of even the simplest of electrical systems.

If you have added accessories to your automotive electrical system, then battery maintenance is especially important. The addition of a dash camera that includes an automatic parking mode can tax a battery. If the weather is going to be much below freezing, you should turn that feature off. If you have a remote starter with a two-way remote, those also add a little extra current draw to your battery. A telematics solution like DroneMobile, SmartStart or AutoConnect also draws current. Stack up a few of these options and your battery may only last a week if you don’t drive the vehicle. You can see why battery maintenance is so important.

If you have questions about taking care of your electrical system, drop into your local mobile enhancement retailer. They can suggest what charger offers the best performance and may even have one in stock. If you need a new battery, they might be able to help with that as well. Don’t let yourself get stranded – take care of your car battery and it will take care of you!

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Drone XT GPS Tracker

Protecting your vehicles or equipment has never been more important, and a GPS tracking system is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. The new Drone XT from Firstech gives owners a simple and effective way to monitor the location of their car, truck or powersports vehicle in real time. Whether you want added security against theft or want to keep tabs on valuable equipment, a professional-grade tracking solution can improve your chances of quickly recovering your property. Let’s take a closer look at the new Drone XT tracking system.

What is the Drone XT?

Drone XT is a self-contained GPS tracking solution that features an integrated battery for stand-alone operation. Unlike Bluetooth devices like AirTags, the Drone XT operates completely independently from other devices like a smartphone, so you can always check its location from the app or website.

The Drone XT includes a USB-C hardwire power cable that your installer can integrate with the vehicle to power the system and indicate when the ignition is on. There’s also a dual-ended USB-C cable for charging the unit in stand-alone mode. For convenience, four high-strength neodymium magnets are integrated into the base of the unit. If you have heavy equipment to monitor, you can simply attach the Drone XT, and you are good to go.

Full-Time GPS Tracking System

The Drone XT works with the Dronemobile.com website and smartphone app. You can locate your vehicle anytime you want, as long as you have access to the Internet. You don’t need to involve the police or call a phone number. You’ll know the solution is working as soon as you power it up. If you can’t check the location of your GPS tracking system, do you even know if it’s working?

When the unit is moving, the Drone system tracks location with a breadcrumb trail that updates every minute or 30 seconds, depending on the service plan you’ve chosen. Not only can you see where the device is, but where it’s been. This is great as a tracking solution for company-owned service or delivery vehicles.

Low-Power Operation

Firstech engineers have gone to great lengths to maximize the built-in battery’s longevity. The system combines a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with a state-of-the-art LTE Cat M1 cellular radio. Unlike conventional cellular radios, the LTE Cat M1 is designed specifically for low-power IoT devices like the Drone XT.

The Drone XT has power-saving modes to further extend the battery’s life. The unit doesn’t update GPS location or communicate with the DroneMobile server unless it detects motion. The “Wake on Movement” feature has a five-meter buffer, so even shifts in GPS location due to signal strength variations won’t trigger communication. If someone moves the vehicle or piece of equipment, you will be notified immediately.

The 2,200 mAh battery will last up to 3 weeks in Energy-Saving mode and up to 10 months in Deep Sleep mode.

Integrated Environment Monitoring

The Drone XT GPS tracker includes three additional sensors that can be configured to provide alerts to the owner. There’s a temperature sensor that provides notifications for changes by a user-configurable number of degrees. Likewise, a humidity sensor monitors moisture in the air and sends an alert if that changes by a certain percentage. Finally, there’s a light sensor that’ll tell you if someone is snooping around with a flashlight. These alerts show up almost instantly as notifications on your smartphone.

Protection For Unique Applications

The Drone XT GPS tracker is an affordable, convenient way to monitor your car or truck. However, its applications extend much farther. If you have a side-by-side, ATV or motorcycle you want to monitor, the Drone XT is perfect. Your boat, personal watercraft or trailer is also a great application for the compact tracking solution. Did we mention the unit has an IP67 rating for water and dust intrusion?

If you have a service or delivery vehicle and need to monitor its location, Drone XT is a perfect solution. You’ll know when the ignition turns on or off, where it’s located and what stops it has made throughout the day. If the vehicle is used after hours, you’ll be alerted instantly.

Heavy equipment theft is a major issue. Protect your dozers, graders, excavators, compact track loaders and skid steers with this reliable and affordable solution.

For more information on the Drone XT GPS tracker, or to schedule an installation, contact your local authorized Drone retailer by visiting the dealer locator on the Drone website. Be sure to follow the Drone team on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to stay up-to-date with new product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Why Certified Professionals Deliver Faster, More Accurate, and More Reliable Vehicle Upgrades

When a vehicle is upgraded or repaired, the quality of the work depends heavily on who performs it. Certified professionals bring formal training, verified skills, and adherence to industry standards that directly translate into faster completion, greater accuracy, and longer-lasting reliability. For consumers, choosing a certified technician is not just a credential preference – it is a practical decision that protects both time and investment.

Certified professionals are trained to work efficiently without sacrificing precision. Their education focuses on proven processes, correct tool usage, and systematic diagnostics. Rather than relying on trial-and-error, they follow established procedures to identify issues quickly and implement the correct solution the first time. This efficiency reduces vehicle downtime, minimizes repeat visits, and ensures upgrades or repairs are completed on schedule.

Accuracy is another key advantage. Modern vehicles integrate complex electrical, electronic, and safety systems that require a deep understanding of how components interact. Certified technicians are tested on these systems and must demonstrate competency before earning their credentials. This reduces the risk of misdiagnosis, improper installation, or overlooked details that can lead to performance issues or system failures. Accurate work not only improves immediate results but also prevents secondary problems caused by incorrect service.

Long-term reliability is where certification delivers the most value. Certified professionals install and repair components in accordance with manufacturer specifications and industry best practices. This includes proper wiring, secure mounting, accurate calibration, and thorough testing before returning the vehicle. Because work done to these standards is far less likely to fail prematurely, develop intermittent issues, or compromise other vehicle systems, the value of certification becomes even clearer.

Certification emphasizes ongoing education. As vehicles and aftermarket technologies evolve, certified professionals must stay current with new products, standards, and service techniques. This ensures repairs and upgrades remain compatible with future needs.

Finally, certified professionals operate within accountable systems, where their credentials can be verified, their work is often documented, and their reputation depends on maintaining compliance with certification requirements. This level of accountability encourages consistency, professionalism, and attention to detail, benefiting every customer.

In short, certified professionals upgrade and repair vehicles faster by using efficient processes, deliver greater accuracy through informed, tested work, and ensure greater reliability by following established standards. Certification is not just a title; it offers a measurable advantage that delivers better outcomes for both the vehicle and its owner.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Audison APBX 10 AS2

One of the best upgrades you can make to your car audio system is to add a high-quality subwoofer. Whether you are working with a simple factory-installed radio and speaker system or planning a studio-quality listening environment, accurately reproducing bass frequencies is important. The folks at Audison have a full line of compact subwoofer enclosures that can transform your system from good to awesome. In this spotlight, we will look at the Audison APBX 10 AS2.

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

The APBX 10 AS2 is a low-profile 10-inch active subwoofer enclosure. The term “active” means this unit has an integrated amplifier. Essentially, with some wiring to feed it power and a signal from the radio, this is all you need to add bass to your car, truck, or SUV.

The enclosure measures 17.3 inches long, 13.2 inches wide, and stands a mere 6.2 inches tall. The amplifier is mounted on one of the thin side panels, and the subwoofer is designed to fire down into the floor or back wall of your car or truck. Feet are included to raise the enclosure off the floor so the subwoofer doesn’t hit anything. The enclosure has rounded corners for a little extra style.

The amplifier included with the APBX 10 AS2 is rated to provide up to 400 watts of power. Audison uses a 0.16-ohm low-impedance driver in the enclosure, so the amp doesn’t need a switching power supply. This design is said to boost system efficiency.

The Audison APBX 10 AS2 looks neat and tidy once installed.

Amplifier and Integration Features

The amplifier can accept speaker-level or preamp signals to ensure integration with factory-installed and aftermarket source units is simple and reliable. In high-level mode, the amp will accept up to 8 Vrms on the speaker leads. In low-level mode, the maximum input is 4 Vrms.

The amp has a three-position remote turn-on function switch. The amp can be activated when 12 Volts is applied to the remote terminal. Alternatively, in DC mode, the amp’s circuitry will monitor the speaker wires for the DC offset voltage from a BTL amplifier. Finally, if neither of those options works with your source unit, the amp can detect an electrical audio signal to bring things to life.

In terms of signal processing, the amp has a crossover that can be adjusted from 50 to 300 hertz and features a second-order Butterworth alignment. The internal crossover can be defeated with the Lo-Pass/By-Pass switch if you have a source unit or signal processor with integrated filtering. There is also a bass boost function that lets your installer dial in a bump of up to 6 dB at 45 Hz to add a little extra thump to your music. Finally, there’s a fixed fourth-order (-24 dB/Octave) infrasonic filter set to 24 Hz.

Audison includes their HRC AP remote level control with the APBX 10 AS2. This remote connects to the amp via the included 3.5mm jack. Your installer can mount the control on the dashboard or in the center console to give you control over the bass level. While the original gain setting should provide a nice balance, sometimes we want a little more or a little less bass, depending on our mood or the choice of music.

The amplifier includes a feature called Dynamic Bass Tracking (DBT). This circuitry monitors the audio input in real time to prevent signals that could cause distortion, keeping your music from sounding bad. This circuit will also prevent damage to the woofer.

Audison Subwoofer Features

The subwoofer integrated into the enclosure is based on Audison’s APS 10 series of drivers. The subwoofer features a heavy-gauge stamped-steel chassis to which a single ferrite magnet is affixed. Cooling vents in the basket, under the spider mounting plateau, help to keep the voice coil assembly cool. There are also vents in the cone to allow hot air to escape from the motor assembly.

The cone is made of pressed paper with a water-repellent coating to prevent it from absorbing moisture in humid or damp climates. A polypropylene dust cap keeps debris out of the magnetic gap and gives the driver’s face a clean, classy appearance.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

If you want to take your car audio system to the next level, drop by an authorized Audison retailer today and ask about the APBX 10 AS2 subwoofer enclosure. Audison offers a similarly designed, but slightly more compact 8-inch solution called the APBS 8 AS2 if space is at a premium.

You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on the Audison website. Be sure to follow Audison on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn about all the amazing audio integration solutions they offer.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

How to Find a Shop with MECP Certified Professionals for Your Upgrade

If you’re thinking about upgrading your vehicle with accessories like a new audio system, remote start, lighting, security, or driver-assistance technology, choose a shop that employs MECP Certified professionals. Many vehicle owners don’t realize there is a recognized certification program for automotive electronics specialists. Selecting certified professionals can make a major difference in the reliability, safety, and performance of your upgrade.

Think of it the same way you would choose a certified electrician or mechanic. Certification shows that the person working on your vehicle has demonstrated knowledge of the systems they work on and understands the standards used across the automotive electronics industry.

What MECP Certification Means

The Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) program is the automotive aftermarket industry’s recognized certification for professionals who sell, design, and install aftermarket vehicle electronics. The program benefits professionals by validating their expertise to employers and customers, supporting career advancement, and demonstrating a commitment to quality through verified knowledge in electrical systems, installation, product integration, and troubleshooting.

Modern vehicles use complex electronic networks controlling infotainment, safety, driver assistance, and power management. Installing aftermarket equipment requires understanding how these systems interact. Upgrades must be integrated safely and reliably.

MECP certification confirms professionals have the technical knowledge to work with these systems and follow industry-recognized installation practices. More details can be found in the article titled Why Certification Matters.

Look for Certification on the Sales Side

One of the easiest ways to identify a professional automotive accessories shop is by looking at the sales staff who help you choose your equipment. Shops with MECP-certified sales staff provide better recommendations by understanding both products and vehicles.

Certified professionals don’t just sell equipment based on price or popularity. They consider vehicle compatibility, system integration, and electrical details. This helps ensure your recommended system performs as you expect. When knowledgeable professionals guide your choices, you get equipment that fits your goals and your vehicle’s capabilities.

Certified Installation Technicians Deliver Better Results

Proper education matters most during installation. MECP installation technicians are certified in wiring, circuit protection, electrical safety, system integration, and troubleshooting. These skills are essential for work on modern vehicles with sensitive electronics and complex networks.

When a shop employs certified installation technicians, customers frequently benefit from:

More efficient installation times
Faster troubleshooting if problems occur
Installations that conform to industry standards
Greater long-term reliability of the system

Certified technicians route wiring, protect circuits, integrate with factory systems, and test installations thoroughly before returning the vehicle to the customer. The result is an upgrade that performs consistently and avoids many of the problems that can occur with poorly executed installations.

Better Workmanship Often Comes with Better Warranties

Another advantage of choosing a shop that employs certified professionals is the confidence they have in the quality of their work.

Certified technicians follow recognized standards and understand vehicle systems. Many shops offer stronger guarantees, sometimes including a lifetime warranty, and some manufacturers provide longer product warranties when installation is done by certified professionals.

Installation errors are one of the most common causes of accessory failures. Improper grounding, overburdened circuits, poor connections, or incorrect integration can lead to electrical issues that appear weeks or months later. When upgrades are installed by trained professionals who follow established procedures, those problems are much less likely.

How to Verify Credentials in Real Time

Another benefit of the MECP program is that certification credentials and a technician finder can be found quickly and easily on your phone, tablet, or computer! MECP provides you the tools to find a facility that has professionals and the ability to verify them, in the palm of your hand.

Locate a shop that has MECP certified personnel in real-time, by clicking to Find An MECP Certified Specialist or Technician.
Verify credentials instantly by entering a portion of the technician’s or specialist’s name here: MECP – Mobile Electronics Certified Professionals – Member Search

Certified professionals can provide a digital credential verification that confirms their certification status and level. This allows employers, customers, and event organizers to quickly verify that the professional’s certification is active and valid. Vehicle owners can also learn more about certification and its benefits by visiting the official MECP website. The site explains the certification program and why choosing a shop with certified professionals helps protect your vehicle and your investment.

A Simple Way to Protect Your Vehicle Upgrade

Today’s vehicles rely heavily on advanced electronics, and aftermarket upgrades must be carefully integrated to avoid problems with current systems. Selecting a shop with MECP Certified professionals ensures your vehicle upgrades are expertly handled from beginning to end, giving you peace of mind that the work is done properly.

Certified sales specialists help recommend the right solutions for your vehicle and goals. Certified installation technicians ensure those upgrades are installed in accordance with industry standards for safety, performance, and long-term reliability. When planning an upgrade, always choose certified professionals. This simple step protects your investment and ensures the job is done right.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Important Tips for Car Battery Maintenance

Taxing the Electrical System

The Downward Spiral of Energy Reserve

But Wait, There’s More!

Batteries by the Numbers

Taking Care of Your Battery in the Cold

Regular Battery Maintenance

Battery Care for Mobile Electronics Enthusiasts

Product Spotlight: Drone XT GPS Tracker

What is the Drone XT?

Full-Time GPS Tracking System

Low-Power Operation

Integrated Environment Monitoring

Protection For Unique Applications

Why Certified Professionals Deliver Faster, More Accurate, and More Reliable Vehicle Upgrades

Product Spotlight: Audison APBX 10 AS2

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

Amplifier and Integration Features

Audison Subwoofer Features

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

How to Find a Shop with MECP Certified Professionals for Your Upgrade

What MECP Certification Means

Look for Certification on the Sales Side

Certified Installation Technicians Deliver Better Results

Better Workmanship Often Comes with Better Warranties

How to Verify Credentials in Real Time

A Simple Way to Protect Your Vehicle Upgrade

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