Ensuring Reliable Winter Battery Performance

Winter brings with it many car performance issues that can leave you stranded at best in your driveway and at worst in the middle of nowhere, which, when you think about it, covers most of Canada.

You can take many steps to help prevent car troubles in winter. In this blog post, we’ll cover battery maintenance, especially for winter, when our weather throws some of the worst conditions it can at us.

How Winter Temperatures Affect Your Vehicle’s Battery

You’ll notice the effects of winter when you first start your engine. Here’s why:

• At 0 ˚C, a typical car battery can lose about 20% of its capacity.
• At -18 ˚C, the capacity reduces to nearly 50%.
• Engine oil thickens in the cold.
• The alternator needs more time to recharge the battery in the cold.

These factors together make it harder for your engine to start. Since starting an engine requires a lot of energy, you risk draining the battery if you start your car too often without fully charging the battery.

Your battery will regain full capacity once the engine has sufficiently warmed the engine bay, but that doesn’t mean it’s fully charged.

Think of it this way: a glass has the capacity to hold one cup of water, but that doesn’t mean it has one cup of water. You have to fill the glass. To fully charge your battery, drive at least 15 minutes.

However, there are a few steps you can take to both improve your battery’s capacity and limit how fast it drains.

Parking Strategies to Protect Your Battery

Parking your car inside can help reduce the effects of the cold on your battery. However, remember that the ambient temperature around your car matters. If your garage reaches -18 ˚C, your battery’s capacity will still be reduced to almost 50%.

To protect your battery from an overnight drain in capacity, use a battery blanket or engine block heater to keep everything warm.

When you’re out and about during the day, park in the sun to help keep your engine bay warm.

Turn off Those Accessories

If you quickly enter a store while your teens stay in the car with the electronic system on, it can drain the battery as the engine cools, since only driving recharges the battery. Also watch for lights that stay on unnoticed:

• Check your headlights before leaving the car.
• If you use the trunk, ensure it’s fully closed.
• Double-check your glove compartment is closed.
• Ensure interior lights are off after everyone exits the car.

If a light is left on long enough, you may return to a vehicle with a battery that won’t start.

Driving Habits That Help Your Car Battery in Winter

Follow these driving habits to keep your battery in good shape during our coldest months:

• Use your vehicle at least every three to four days.
• Make sure at least one trip lasts 15 to 20 minutes or longer.
• Use a trickle charger if the car will remain parked at home for longer than two weeks.

Highway driving recharges the battery faster than stop-and-go city traffic, but still drive 15-20 minutes regardless of which roads you prefer in winter.

Visiting an Automotive Technician About Your Battery

Most 12 V batteries last three to five years. However, don’t wait until you think your battery is old to get it tested. Request a battery check when you take your vehicle in for seasonal service, like your oil or tire change. This timing makes it easy to remember and also ensures you check your battery before and after winter, when electricity demand is at its highest.

To schedule your next seasonal inspection and battery test, or to simply ask questions about battery testing, visit your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre, where one of our friendly technicians will be happy to help.