The Chilly Truth About Batteries in Winter: Myths and Tips

Ah, winter! That magical time when Jack Frost coats the lawn, hot chocolate flows, and car batteries decide to take unscheduled vacations. If you've ever found yourself turning the key, only to be met with that dreaded clicking sound or worse stubborn silence you're not alone. Let's dive into why batteries struggle in cold weather, debunk some frosty myths, and arm you with tips to keep your battery charged and cheerful!

Why Batteries Struggle in Cold Weather

You might have heard that the cold winter weather is what kills a car battery, but how true is it really?

• It’s not exactly the case. It’s the heat that actually does the damage.
• Extreme under bonnet temperatures combined with high ambient temps take a toll on the poor humble car battery.
• The battery fluid (electrolyte) can evaporate, at higher temperatures. Newer maintenance free models have methods to reduce this.
• Batteries rely on chemical reactions to produce their power, and cold temperatures slow these reactions down. A battery will perform at its lowest capacity when cold.
• The lower the temperature the thicker the engine oil. Thicker oil is harder to pump especially on engine start up. That extra load can be what shows up any weak point in the starting system whether it be a weak battery, starter motor or a poor connection somewhere in the starting circuit.
• To sum up, the heat weakens the battery, then when it gets to winter, the cold reduces it’s output to the point it can no longer start the vehicle.

Unfortunately living in Australia the country of extremes this is something we have to deal with. The best thing you can do for the overall health of your battery is to keep it charged. A simple maintenance charger will do wonders for your battery or even better a dedicated charger specific for your battery size once a month.

Common Battery Myths

Short drives don’t fix your car battery

• Driving your car can help recharge the battery, but while it may seem like a good idea to run your engine five minutes a day, this is not enough to maintain the battery.
• On short trips less than 5km, the alternator doesn’t have enough time to charge what was lost in the battery. This continuous cycle will lead to undercharging which in turn will lower the capacity of the battery over time and shorten its service life.
• If you drive on short trips, the most effective way to keep your battery healthy is by connecting it to a smart charger periodically when not in use.

These car items are the biggest battery killers

There are several small items in the car that can slowly drain your battery, even if you drive it every day. Here’s some of the sneaky ways the battery self-discharges:

• The car lights, inside and outside. Make sure your car doors are closed and the headlights are turned off after every trip.
• The cigarette lighter, not really used for cigarettes that much these days. Leaving charging Bluetooth, or GPS devices in the port can drain the battery even when the car’s off.
• One of the latest battery drainers is your key FOB or “Frequency Operated Buttons”. Most later model cars include wireless keys, which can automatically unlock the car when you get close (or leave the keys near the car in range!)
• When at home it might be easier to keep your keys close to your car, or if you like to live on the wild side, keep them IN the car.
• But keeping the keys close means, the transmitter and receiver will continue to try and communicate with each other, keeping some of the car’s computer modules awake and using the battery.

Don't Panic - Plan Ahead

• Cold weather battery failures can be frustrating, but a little preparation can save you time and stress. If you rely on batteries in your 4WD, weekend cruiser or for daily commuting, always have a backup plan. Keep jumper cables or a portable jump starter in your vehicle, and ensure your portable power stations are fully charged before heading out in winter conditions.
• Periodical Maintenance, check battery terminals are clean and tight, the top of the battery should be clean, if the battery is maintainable check battery fluid, it should be covering the internal plates, if maintenance free check the indicator eye for the battery condition
• Have your battery tested a couple of times a year. It’s a painless process and can give you peace of mind as the age of the battery increases.

Advice

• Investing in quality brand batteries that meet manufacturers specifications can make a big difference. Additionally, regular battery maintenance and proper storage habits can significantly extend battery life.
• Call in to your local Battery World store for a Free Battery Health Check.
• By understanding how cold affects batteries and following these practical tips, will help to avoid premature failures and keep your vehicles running smoothly all winter long.