Why car batteries hate winter

Car batteries are far more likely to malfunction in winter than in any other season.

Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reaction that takes place inside the battery when you turn the key in the ignition, causing the startup procedure to take slightly longer.

Additionally, freezing conditions thicken a vehicle’s engine oil which in turn lowers the viscosity, thus increasing the amount of power needed by your battery to fire up the motor.

Therefore, 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.

Electronic features such as lights, climate control, the infotainment system, and seat warmers take their toll on the power module, too, which can be overwhelming and cause it to fail when starting the engine on a chilly winter morning.

Older batteries are more prone to failure than fresh cells, but no ones are completely immune from crashing.

Take care of your car’s battery and it will take care of you

Alongside regular car maintenance, there are several ways to take care of your car’s battery to ensure that it doesn’t leave you stranded in a parking lot or make you late for an important event.

Firstly, make sure that all your car’s electronics are properly powered down when parking somewhere for a while as this will prevent unnecessary power draw.

As such, always check that features such as the headlights and cabin lights are turned off, that the doors are fully closed, and that accessories such as cigarette lighters and chargers are plugged out before you walk away.

Secondly, ensure there are no loose cables or corrosion around the battery’s terminals as this reduces its ability to successfully transfer energy to the engine.

Finally, where possible, park your wheels indoors as this offers protection against temperature fluctuations, especially during the evenings.

Moreover, don’t park the car for long periods at a time without driving it, regardless of the season, as batteries lose charge if they’re not being used regularly.

It’s ideal to fire it up at least once every three days to “keep the battery at its optimal level,” according to the Automobile Association.

It is worth noting, however, that car batteries have a shelf life of about three to at most five years, so a sudden vehicle malfunction could be a sign that the time has come to buy a new one.