January is here and that means below-freezing temperatures here in beautiful New Hope, MN. It can get as cold as 7 degrees Fahrenheit at night, but you don’t need us here at Kurth’s Auto Repair to tell you that. What you do need us to tell you is why your car’s battery dies throughout the winter. Here’s the reason why cold weather is hard on batteries and how you can protect yours.
Car Batteries and Freezing Temperatures
Here’s the bottom line: Your car, crossover, SUV, or truck’s battery doesn’t like to be cold any more than you do. Car batteries rely on a chemical reaction between the lead plates that form the battery cells and the battery acid, which is water and sulfuric acid. The chemical reaction slows down the colder it gets, which is why starting your vehicle on a tepid morning is easier than starting it on a freezing morning.
As temperatures drop and the battery’s chemical reaction slows, the battery begins to lose power. Once the outdoor temperatures reach freezing – 32 degrees Fahrenheit – your battery will lose 30 percent of its power. If the temperatures dip below zero, the battery will freeze. In fact, a vehicle sitting outside in minus-10 degree weather will have a frozen battery. The chemical reaction is stopped.
How to Prevent a Cold Battery
We don’t normally see temperatures below zero, but your battery is still too cold in the midst of our winter weather. You can help your battery maintain its chemical reaction and power by always parking in a garage. Parking outside will slow down the chemical reaction because the battery is not protected from the elements. A battery inspection now will also help determine if age is also a problem.
An older battery cannot stand up to the cold temperatures because it already isn’t holding a full charge as well as it used to. One way to help keep your battery charged is to drive your vehicle long distances. Short trips do not allow the battery to charge completely, so extend that trip to the drug store by taking the long route or driving around town. Drive at least 10 minutes to keep your battery charged.
Finally, stop by Kurth’s Auto Repair in New Hope, MN. We’ll inspect your battery for signs of wear, tear, or trouble, and also test it to see how well it can hold a charge. If you haven’t replaced your car’s battery in over three years, it’s time for a new one.
