Does the Cold Affect Your Car’s Battery?
Whether you drive a 20-year-old Camry or the latest EV, your car will be equipped with a good old 12V car battery. It is needed to run the electric accessories when your engine is off, and to act as a failsafe for EVs if their main battery has completely discharged or malfunctioned.
There are various shapes, sizes and types on offer, and prices can range between $100 to over $400 for Lead-Acid and Enhanced Flooded batteries, while fancier Lithium-Ion batteries can top $1000. Factor in the labor charge for replacement and the recoding that some new vehicles need, and replacing a flat battery can quickly become inconvenient and very expensive.
Jaguar
Depending on the condition of your vehicle, driving habits and battery maintenance, most specialists claim that you should get between 3 to 5 years of service out of them. While it is not uncommon to see up to 10 years out of a battery in ideal conditions, most tend to require replacement well before then.
If you are wondering weather cold weather can affect a car battery, then the short answer is yes. The long answer is that the climate you live in is one of the biggest factors contributing to your battery’s lifespan. Heat can cause long-term damage, but cold weather tends to deliver that knockout blow when you least need it.
Why Do Car Batteries Die In The Cold?
Jonathon Ramsey
If you live in a cold area or regularly experience harsh winters, you may be all too familiar with regular battery issues. Cold weather reduces the speed of the chemical reaction between the lead plates and the sulfuric acid in the battery. At 0 degrees Fahrenheit, your battery will be just 50% effective.
This slower chemical reaction also means that he alternator will need to run for longer to replenish the battery’s charge, and if your battery is not in good shape, the liquid inside may also start to freeze.
Most of us put extra strain on the battery in winter because we will be constantly using the heated seats, defroster and heater. These factors all add up and eventually your battery can’t cope.
How To Extend The Life Of Your Battery
Jason Meshnick
James Ochoa
Park in a garage
If you are fortunate enough to have a covered parking space or a garage, try to park your car in there whenever possible. The warmer temperatures and protection from the elements will both help extend the life of your battery.
Avoid lots of short trips
Your car’s alternator charges the battery while the engine is running. Cranking the starter motor is the single largest draw on your battery, so if you don’t allow the alternator to bring replenish the lost charge, you will eventually run the battery flat.
Doing lots of short trips while the car is cold will also put extra wear on the engine and other mechanical components. you may notice that if your car has stop/start, it only works once the car has warmed up and the battery has enough charge to cope with the load.
Use a battery charger
If you don’t often drive your car or have a classic you don’t like to take out on slushy wintry roads, then a battery charger is a must. Avoid cheap chargers as they can overcharge your battery.
Maintain your battery
Most car batteries are tucked away out of sight in the engine bay or in your trunk. For most of us, the first time we actively access the battery is when it has gone flat or a dashboard warning light tells us that something is wrong.
And while most modern batteries are of the sealed type, meaning that they don’t need any regular attention, checking that the terminals are free of corrosion is a quick and easy job that you should do at least once a month, especially in winter.
Don’t Overload Your Battery
Cadillac
Running the radio, lights and other accessories when your car is off is a recipe for disaster. The load will be taken straight out of the battery, and the alternator won’t be able to recharge it. This may result in the battery being too weak to turn the starter motor the next time you need it.
A car’s battery is not designed to be completely drained. Allowing it to go flat by cranking the starter too many times or by not giving it enough time to charge while driving will irreparably damage it.
And while we all know how much difference heated seats and a heated steering wheel can make on a bitterly cold morning commute, try to wait a few minutes before turning all the power-draining accessories on, it may make the difference between you getting to your destination or being stuck on the side of the road, waiting for help.
About the author
John Tallodi
Senior Editor