Why Car Batteries Perform Poorly in Cold Weather

Only a few things are more annoying than scraping ice off of your frozen windshield in the winter, like waking up to the appalling situation of a dead battery. While you can actually anticipate a snow-covered car in the wintertime, you probably don’t know when your car’s battery may die and leave you stranded, chilly on the roadside. You must have wondered, why do car batteries function inadequately in winter? Let us find out, and then maybe you can order a brand new car battery online, which can perform well in frigid temperatures.

How Do Car Batteries Work?

According to the science behind it, automobile batteries work on chemical reactions. Plates of lead and lead-dioxide are positioned, immersed in a mixture of water and sulphuric acid. Fast-forwarding through the details, you realize that electrons are getting transferred from one set of plates to the other, creating an electric current.

The electric current is produced by the battery when a connection is established between both its terminals. The initiated chemical reaction generates electrons and supplies current. But what does cold weather have to do with this? Well, when the ambient temperature is lowering, it naturally impedes the speed of the chemical reactions.

How Do Freezing Conditions Affect the Car Batteries?

So now you know that when your car doesn’t start on a snowy day, your battery is unable to carry out enough chemical reactions to generate the power required to turn on your vehicle.

Besides, during winters, there is generally a higher strain on the battery. Nobody likes to drive without heated seats, defrosters, heater blower, and other features to keep you warm. Consequentially, more power is being used, and the battery might be getting charged less since it requires frequent recharging amid all the frostiness.

Cold weather and car batteries are known to have a complicated bond. After looking at several reasons why car battery problems aggravate in winter, here’s a list of things that owners can keep in mind to get ready as 'winter is coming.

Don’t Leave the Lights On

Double-check if you have switched off your heater, defroster, headlights, interior light, stereo, and parking lights after parking your car in the garage. These features can drain your car’s battery in any season, but on cold days, they will zap your battery sooner than usual.

Similarly, after getting into your car, give it a minute before turning the radio, amping up the heat, and flicking the lights on. Let your battery recharge a bit before asking more from it.

Replace Your Old Battery

If you know that you have used your battery for at least 3-5 years, replace it by purchasing a car battery online before the chill arrives. Older batteries can characteristically provide a weaker performance, but icy temperatures can deteriorate the situation even further. Your old battery may discharge or go flat quickly.

Make sure that you buy the best-quality cell with higher Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). CCA is a measurement of the battery’s ignition capacities in freezing temperatures. Check the numeric rating before ordering a car battery online.

Use Insulators to Keep the Battery Warm 

One of the simplest ways to keep the vehicle’s battery warm is to shield it by wrapping an insulation cloth or thermal blanket around it. You can also make it a point to always park your car in the garage to keep it away from cold.

Keep the Car Battery Clean 

Keeping your battery clean and in good shape should be a routine habit for car owners; however, this becomes more important during winters. A hot summer season and a dry fall can cause a lot of corrosion on your battery. And if you don’t stay on top of battery maintenance, that corrosion can do a lot more harm in the winter.

Open the bonnet and look at your battery if there is a white powdery and rusty substance on it and the terminals, it is corroded. The oxidation can easily get in the way of providing a smooth current flow. The dirtier it is, the more grease, crud, and dust will hinder the battery’s work and your ability to start the car.

Get it Checked before Winter Hits 

If your battery has gotten old, it might be time to get it checked by professionals. It can be difficult, taking the time to schedule a visit to a reliable car shop. Worry not, as booking an appointment with AIS Windshield Experts, India’s leading car-care solutions provider, is just as easy as buying a car battery online.

A battery’s life is limited, and extreme weather conditions can make it worse for them. Get your car batteries checked and replaced by a professional car battery service provider. At AIS Windshield Experts, we have quality products and a team of skilled experts that will soothe all your battery woes. So, what are you waiting for? Get an expert consultation today!