Batteries With freezing temperatures and so many gray days, it’s no wonder we often feel sleepy and sluggish during this time of year. Did you know that your car battery experiences something similar in cold weather? As the temperature drops, it can become more difficult for your battery to get enough energy to start your car. Thankfully, there are a handful of things you can do to help make sure you don’t get stranded with a dead car battery in winter! Check the age of your batteryHow old is your car battery? If your battery is older than four or five years old, it could be nearing the end of its life. Your battery is like the heart of your vehicle, so why gamble with it? Know it's age and get it replaced when it's "getting up there" in years. The date your battery was shipped from the manufacturer is typically stamped or engraved on the top or side of the battery, depending on the manufacturer. Look for a letter and a digit, with the letter indicating the month the car battery was manufactured and the digit indicating the year it was manufactured. For example, if your battery said, "D13," it was shipped in April 2013 and is about three years old. Clean off corrosion around the terminalsTurn off the car, pop the hood, and take a look at your battery. Do you see any white powder around the terminals? That’s corrosion, which increases electrical resistance and makes your battery work harder than it needs to. You can use basic household products to clean off and prevent corrosion. Just check out the step-by-step guide from Cars Direct! But if you'd rather not deal with it yourself, bring your car by your local Tires Plus for a Battery Terminal Cleaning Service and Corrosion Protection Package. Install a battery blanketYou’re not the only one who appreciates a warm blanket on a cold day! Purchase an electric battery blanket to insulate your battery when temperatures start to dip. It will help prevent your battery's fluid from freezing and help your car roar to life on a cold morning. You can find battery blankets for about $20 to $50 online or at your local auto parts store. Battery blankets are simple to install and only require the use of a nearby electrical outlet. Just plug it in, wrap the blanket around your battery, and it will thank you – by working properly! As always, consult your owner's manual before using a battery blanket. Limit your use of accessories that strain the batteryWhen you hop into your car in the winter, you probably feel like you're freezing. However, take a pause before you crank up the heat...and your radio, lights, or cell phone charger. Let your alternator charge up the battery for a bit before you add the strain of accessories. When you get out of your car, do the reverse. Turn everything off, so your battery isn’t bombarded with demands when you start it up later! Keep your battery chargedA depleted battery is more likely to freeze up and fail than one that’s fully charged. If you notice your car straining a bit to start or "turn over" when you turn the key in the ignition, it might be time to pull out the car charger. Give your battery some juice so it can better withstand cruel winter temperatures. You can find a basic portable car battery charger online for around $30, depending on the charger brand and amps delivered. Get your battery a check-up before it checks outWhen it comes to the state of your battery, ignorance is not bliss. Rather than getting caught in the cold with a dead battery, visit your neighborhood Tires Plus for a completely free battery test! With a quick diagnostic check-up you can find out just how much life your battery has left and when you may need a new car battery. If you're tight on time, try out our Virtual Battery Tester for a general idea of how much longer your battery might stick around. Top November 19, 2021 3:36pm  Winter weather is tough on car batteries. In fact, when the temperature is below 32 degrees, car batteries lose 35% of their strength, and at zero degrees they lose 60%. If you’re not prepared, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery and an expensive tow in your future. Use these easy strategies for keeping your car battery from dying during the winter months. How Do Car Batteries Work?Car batteries are cells that store chemical energy and turn it into electrical energy when needed. They rely on a lead-acid chemical reaction that ignites a short burst of energy that turns on your lights, accessories and engine. Once the car is moving, the energy supplied to the engine comes from the alternator. Car batteries are charged by the movement of your car driving; if they’re dead, they can also be jump started by a different car. However, once a battery stops holding a charge within its cells, it’s time to get a new one. Most car batteries have a lifespan of three to five years, but this can be shortened by extreme weather conditions. If you live somewhere with extreme temperatures, you might have to replace your battery every year. Why Winter Is Hard on Car BatteriesIn the winter, car batteries are forced to work harder to get your engine going. Cold temperatures thicken your engine’s oil, which makes it move more slowly. This increases the amount of power needed by your battery to kickstart important processes. If the amount of charge in your battery is already reduced by the cold weather, you may find yourself with a vehicle that’s unable to start. In addition, cold temperatures affect the chemical reaction that takes place inside the battery when you turn your car on. The cold makes your battery more sluggish, and it requires more time to successfully ignite. Finally, the amount of technology you have in your car can take a big toll on the battery’s ability to do its job. Seat warmers, headlights, radio and electronic device chargers all demand power from the battery to start. This can be overwhelming and cause the battery to fail, especially if it’s older and already struggling to hold a charge. Since your car’s battery is already working at a disadvantage during the winter months, you won’t be surprised to learn about the things that will almost guarantee your car’s battery dies when it’s a cold morning and you’re trying to hit the road. Here are the top reasons why batteries die and how to prevent it. 1. Make Sure Your Car Is Powered Down ProperlyThe biggest reason why your battery is dying is probably you. When it’s dark and cold outside, it’s easier to focus on rushing inside the house instead of making sure your car is properly powered down. Make sure the headlights and cabin lights are off and the doors are completely closed; any light will drain the battery overnight. Unplug accessories, including cigarette lighter socket chargers, so that they don’t try and steal power when you turn your car on the next time. 2. Check for Corrosion or Loose CablesCorrosion around your battery’s terminals can negatively affect the connection between the battery’s cell and its cables. If the terminals are corroded or the cables are loose, your battery won’t be able to successfully transfer its energy to the engine. Regularly inspect the terminals for rust and the cables for cracking or breaking, and take your car into a trusted repair shop if you’re concerned about any issues. 3. Protect the Battery From Freezing TemperaturesEverything moves more slowly in the winter, including your battery. Have the battery tested before the weather gets too cold to make sure it’s able to hold a charge and replace it if it’s too old. It’s also helpful to have your car’s oil changed, because old oil is thicker than new and will have more difficulty moving through the engine. A battery blanket is affordable and can keep your battery warm throughout the night so it’s ready to go in the morning. Finally, try to park in a covered garage or downwind so that the battery isn’t exposed to the elements. If you have the unfortunate luck of a dead car battery, it’s important to be prepared for prolonged exposure to cold weather while you’re waiting for help. Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes warm blankets, a phone battery bank, water and snacks. Flares may also be appropriate depending on your situation. It’s also a good idea to keep jumper cables in your car year-round. Avoid Car Battery Surprises With Routine MaintenanceAll of these tips will help you avoid a dead battery, but the most effective strategy for keeping your car battery running during the winter is with regular maintenance. When you bring your vehicle to a trusted auto repair shop, an expert technician will inspect your battery and let you know if there are any problems. They can test your battery, often for free, and let you know what its life span looks like. Ask the technician about your battery’s cold cranking amps, or CCA, as well. This number refers to the battery’s ability to start a car during freezing weather. The higher the CCA number, the better the battery is at performing in the cold. Ensuring you’re using the right battery for your
climate can help you avoid dead battery problems. Up Next: 5 Reasons You Should Be Using Winter Tires How often should I start my car to keep the battery charged in winter?If you plan on not using your car for an extended period of time during snow season, it is important to turn it on every 6-12 hours and let it run idle for 15-20 minutes so that it reaches operating temperatures. This provides current to the battery, allowing it to regain its charge.
How do I keep my car battery from dying when not in use in winter?Buy a Battery Blanket
However, purchasing a battery blanket can provide more heat. The additional heat prevents fluid from freezing. Another way to keep your car battery heated is by mounting a trickle charge on the battery. This will give it power even when the car is not being used and can keep it from dying.
Should I charge my car battery in the winter?A fully charged battery will not freeze until somewhere around -76°F. So, obviously, the best way to keep your battery from freezing is to be sure to keep it charged up.
Should I trickle charge my battery all winter?Trickle charging a battery saves you money. Batteries thrive on a steady stream of electricity. Allowing a battery to fully discharge over the winter months will cut its lifespan down by a significant amount. In fact, it may not make it to spring without a trickle charge in place.
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How to keep car battery charged in winter
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