Sant Automotive News vol. 16, no. I
“If the Olympics had an official car repair shop, we
would be it.”
Welcome to our inaugural 2014
edition of the Sant Automotive News.
In this edition, we will formally welcome our newest team member, John Nelson.
We will cover the captivating topic of potholes, discuss challenges that EV
vehicle owners face in cold weather, slide nearly seamlessly into a discussion
of why you should give a damn about EV vehicles and there owners. Then, we’ll
probably get the cow in the barn with some sort of failed nonsequitur that makes the reader wonder why we possibly thought
that it would be amusing in the first place. If time permits, though, we will
try to come up with something funny to close.
Welcome John Nelson
We were remiss in out last issue in
that we neglected to welcome John Nelson to our team. John earned a Associate
of Science degree from Ranken Technicial College and has completed all four
levels of advanced automobile diagnostics at the Design Technology Institute.
Also, John is an ASE certified master technician. Next time you come in, please
consider welcoming John to the team.
Pothole Season
2014
has been a terrible year for potholes, and things are likely to get worse as
the constant rise and drop in temperatures allow moisture to get ever deeper
into cracks. Obviously, the best way to avoid damage to your tires and wheels
is to avoid potholes, but this is not always possible. Poor visibility and
traffic may eliminate the option to steer around the hazard. You are likely to
hit a pothole or two, so it is best that your vehicle be prepared. Start with
the tires and work up. If your tires are properly inflated, they will do a
better job of absorbing the energy created by the tire’s collision with the pothole.
Next, make sure that your shocks and struts are in good working order. If you
have noticed a decline in either ride comfort or handling ability, you may have
worn shock or struts. It is important to catch this deterioration early because
shocks also help protect other suspension components and steering components
from excessive wear and damage. Remember
that in addition to providing a better ride for you and your passengers, the
job of your suspension system is to keep all tires on the road. A deterioration of any suspension component
makes it less likely that all tires will remain on the road. Worn shocks will
reduce handling and increase stopping distances under all road conditions. If
you have any concerns about how your vehicle handles, make an appointment, and
we will check it out. (To report a
pothole in the city, call: 314-622-4800. In the county, call: 314-615-8538.)
.
The Effects of Cold Weather
on Electric Vehicles
Colder temperatures can cause a reduction in the range of an electric vehicle
of 25% or more. Batteries discharge more quickly and charge more slowly in cold
weather. Also, the additional draw on batteries from electric heaters,
electric seats, and electric windshield defrosters further reduces the range of
electric vehicles.
To combat this loss of range, manufactures have come up with a couple of
interesting approaches: The Nissan Leaf uses an electric heater to keep the
battery warm. It seems completely counter intuitive that the electric
heat used to warm a battery can increase range by a greater amount than the
loss of range caused by the electricity needed to generate the heat in the
first place, but the Nissan engineers are probably smarter than me, and I think
that they probably tested the idea before they put this system in the Leaf.
Telsa uses excess heat from the engine to warm its batteries. This process
takes longer, though, because the engine must first produce the waste heat.
Engineers are working on other solutions to this problem as well.
Specifically, they are trying to produce electrolytes that are less susceptible
to cold weather discharge and will also charge more quickly in cold
weather. It has also been suggested that manufacturers use thicker glass
that will provide better insulation and reduce the amount of heat needed to
keep occupants comfortable.
While waiting for technology to improve, there are a couple things that drivers
can do to maintain as much cold weather range as possible. Some models
offer long range battery packages. These can be expensive and cost
$10,000 or more. Drivers can heat their vehicles and clean their
windshields while still tethered to their charging stations. Finally,
drivers of electric vehicles can throw on a pair on long undies and invest in
hats and gloves. It's a cold world out there. Be prepared
So Why the Hell Do I Care
About How Long EV Batteries Last?
That is an
excellent question. You care because cold weather will also affect the life of
the battery in your car or light truck. Obviously, cold weather has nothing to
do with the range that you can travel, but it will affect the rate of charge
and discharge, just as it does in an EV. Never fear, however, there are a
couple of things that you can do to prolong the life of your battery. If you
are storing your vehicle, consider disconnecting the battery to prevent more
rapid discharge, or think about using a battery tender which will supply a slow
and steady charge to the battery. Several companies sell solar chargers to keep
the charge up in your idle vehicle, so you may want to look into purchasing
one.
If you turn
off your radio and heater before you start your vehicle, you will reduce the
draw at precisely the time that maximum power is required. Also, unplug your
cell phone, your GPS, and any other devices any time the engine is not running.
Finally, either inspect or have your charging system inspected at least
annually. Make sure that your alternator is properly charging your battery and
that your battery cables are tightly secured and free of corrosion. OE
batteries typically only last three or four years, so you will probably end up
needing to buy a battery at some point. Consider an AC Delco Professional 7
Year battery. They come with an unsurpassed 50 months of free replacement.
Happy Birthday George
!
