How to Keep Your Car Battery Healthy in Cold Weather
If you live in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, or the Greater BC area, you know the cold chill is coming. Many drivers, especially those with electric vehicles, are concerned about car battery failure during the colder months.
In this blog, we will focus on car battery care, specifically in the colder months. We'll provide some practical tips, discuss challenges faced by both EV and gas-powered car owners, and discuss how you can prepare for winter driving.
Top Five Tips for Preventing Your Car Battery from Dying During the Winter
#1 – Park In a Garage or Underground Parking
If possible, park your car indoors to help maintain the health of your car battery. If you have a garage or access to underground parking, take advantage of the opportunity to keep your car (and battery) safe and warm.
If you must park outside, avoid parking on bare earth, as this can expose your car to moisture and particles that may cause corrosion.
#2 – Check Your Battery Regularly
The battery is a crucial component of your vehicle, so it should be treated as such. Just like you regularly check your antifreeze levels, you should also have your battery checked by a professional or do it yourself routinely - especially before and during the winter. By checking the battery, you will know its condition and whether it might need replacing.
Have your battery checked at Go Auto. No matter what you need, our dealerships can take care of you. Book a service today here.
#3 – Take Longer Driving Trips
Regular driving and longer trips allow the alternator to recharge the battery, ensuring it has enough power to start even in cold temperatures. Taking your car out for at least 10 km a couple of times each week is a good rule of thumb to keep your battery healthy.
#4 - Avoid Using Too Many Accessories at Once
Features such as seat warmers, windshield wipers, the radio, and fog lights all depend on your battery. When used simultaneously, these features can potentially prevent your battery from charging fully.
Try to use only some of your accessories at the same time to prevent overloading your battery. For instance, if you need to use your wipers, headlights, and defrosters, consider turning off the radio for a while.
#5 – Make sure you have a battery charger.
A battery charger ensures that your car's battery stays charged even if unused for a long time. There are two types of battery chargers for cars: trickle chargers and tender chargers.
- Trickle chargers provide a slow, continuous stream of electricity to your battery and are usually connected to an electrical outlet in your home.
- Tender chargers, also known as maintainers, only charge your battery when running low. These "smart" chargers also indicate when the battery is fully charged, preventing overcharging. However, they are usually more expensive than trickle chargers.
Cold Weather Challenges (Electric Vehicles vs. Gas-Powered Car Owners)
Cold Weather Challenges in EV Batteries
|
Challenge |
Explanation |
Impact |
|
Loss of Range |
In cold weather, the loss of power in an EV battery is due to the lithium ions flowing more slowly through the liquid electrolyte, releasing less energy. |
According to Recurrent, some electric vehicles (EVs) can lose up to 30 percent of their range in freezing temperatures. In its latest report, based on data from 18,000 vehicles, Recurrent found that 18 popular EV models maintained an average of 70.3 percent of their range in freezing conditions. For example, the report found that the range of the Audi E-Tron fleet dropped about 20 percent, compared with the Chevy Bolt (32 percent) and Tesla Model S (55 percent). |
|
A longer charge time |
Cold temperatures slow charging, as many EVs boost battery temperature to improve performance. |
Charging times can double or triple in older EV models. |
Cold Weather Challenges in Gas-Powered Batteries
|
Challenge |
Explanation |
Impact |
|
Power Loss and Start Time | Electrochemical reactions in the battery slow down in cold weather, reducing its power by 30-60%. | Starting the car becomes difficult in freezing temperatures, especially since battery recharge is slower in these conditions |
|
Oil and Engine Troubles |
Cold weather thickens oil, increasing strain on internal components such as the radiator, belts, and hoses, making engines harder to start. |
Thicker oil and weakened battery power can prevent the engine from turning over, leading to delayed starts or requiring jumpstarts. |
Book Your Winter Service with Go Auto Today!
Now is the perfect time to have your vehicle checked up for the winter months! Book your service today at Go Auto. No matter what you need, our dealerships can take care of you. Book a service today here.
Are you thinking about winter tires? Choose from a wide selection of high-quality winter tires from more than ten trusted brands. Order your winter tires here.
Looking for more car maintenance tips and insights? Check out these related blogs
Electric Cars in Winter: How to Keep Your EV Running Efficiently
