Battery Draining in Winter? Learn to Protect Yours from Dying Out

Tips to Protect Dead Car Battery in Cold Weather

As the weather gets colder, car batteries work extra hard. Low temperatures make it more difficult for the battery to produce enough power to start your engine. In fact, battery issues are the leading cause of breakdowns in winter. But you can take steps to protect your car battery and prevent it from dying out when you need it most. Explore essential tips to safeguard your vehicle from the challenges of a dead car battery in cold weather.

The Causes of Winter Battery Drain

In cold weather, engine oil thickens up which makes it harder for the starter motor to spin and start your engine. The battery has to deliver more power to turn over the sluggish, cold engine. This extra current drain can wear down your battery over time.

Low temperatures also slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its ability to recharge. So hotter batteries work better than cold ones. As soon as the mercury drops, your battery starts to lose power.

Plus, short daytime hours mean you likely won’t drive as many miles each day. Short trips and less road time give your alternator less opportunities to recharge the battery. Infrequent recharges lead to gradual discharge over time.

Simple Tips to Maintain your Battery

Fortunately, a few simple maintenance steps can help avoid being stranded with a dead car battery in cold weather as the temperatures plummet.

• Get your battery tested before winter sets in – A quick voltage test at any auto shop will show if your battery needs to be replaced. Most last 3-4 years. Proactively swapping it out eliminates the risk of failure when you need it most on cold winter mornings.
• Clean corroded terminals – Check that battery cable connections are not corroded and are tightly fastened. Loose, dirty connections impede flow of electricity. Clean them thoroughly with a wire brush and reconnect tightly.
• Charge as needed – If battery voltage drops below 12.4V, use a trickle charger to bring it back up. Frequent small topping up charges extend battery lifespan. But first disconnect cables to prevent electrical shorting.
• Park in a garage – Keeping your car sheltered reduces number of cold starts needed. Limit open-air overnights to maintain battery charge. At least start the engine weekly and let it idle 10 mins to prevent gradual discharge over time.
• Get a new one when replacing the alternator – A weak charging system drains your new battery unnecessarily fast. When your alternator goes, proactively replace the battery too even if the old one seems fine.
• Disconnect if storing for winter – For vehicles used seasonally or classic cars in long-term storage, disconnect the battery to prevent slow drain over months. Or use a maintenance charger that provides a gentle constant charge.