Cold Weather and Battery Life: How to Ensure Your Car Starts Every Morning

As winter draws closer and temperatures begin to fall, many drivers may find themselves turning the key and hearing nothing. The battery, sensitive to cold weather, often bears the brunt of the chill. But why does cold weather affect batteries so much, and how can you ensure a smooth start to your day, every day?

The cold weather's impact on car batteries

Car batteries use a chemical reaction to function, a reaction that can be affected by cold conditions. The colder it gets, the less power the battery produces. Add to this, the engine's increased demand for power due to the cold and thickened oil can result in potential car start failures.

Steps to ensure that your car consistently starts

Check your car battery regularly:

It is advisable to have the battery checked before winter sets in. Usually, there are warning signs when the battery is starting to fail including difficulty starting the car, loss of power to the electrics or a dashboard warning light. If any of these occur, it is worth getting it checked at a garage and to consider changing the battery.

Clean the battery's terminals:

Keeping the battery terminals clean can aid in consistent power flow. A mix of bicarbonate of soda and water can help remove any corrosion.

Drive your car regularly:

Batteries can lose their charge if not used. If you don’t drive often, it is a good idea to at least start and run your car periodically.

Limit Non-essentials:

On cold mornings, maybe wait until after the car has started to turn on things like heaters, radios, and lights.

Consider Battery Insulation:

A battery insulation kit might be helpful if you are looking for ways to give your battery a bit of a protective edge against the cold.

Park your car in a garage:

Parking indoors, even if it is just a bit warmer than outside, can be beneficial.

Battery Chargers:

For those not using their cars much during the cold months, a trickle charger might be of use.

Conclusion

Cold weather does have a noticeable impact on car batteries. However, with a bit of attention and maintenance, morning start-up issues can be kept at bay.

Battery Checks or Replacements?

Berkshire Car Care, in Berkshire, offers a range of services that can help you navigate the winter months including a winter health check, winter tyres and tyre checks.

About Berkshire Car Care

Berkshire car care are leading provider of car servicing, MoT tests, and repairs in the Reading area, located in Swallowfield just a couple of miles south of Junction 11 of the M4.  We service and repair all types of cars and vans.