Why Batteries Can Fail During the Winter?

Cold temperatures directly affect the performance of car batteries, in fact at 0°C a battery will lose about 30% of its cranking performance. If your car will not start it’s usually because there is an issue with your battery.

Did you know? Over 200,000 batteries are replaced by the AA and RAC every year, and battery related faults are the number one reason for vehicle starting problems.

The winter weather means that vehicle electrical systems have to work a lot harder with headlights and heating being used a lot more than in warmer months. It also takes a lot more power for a starter motor to turn a cold engine over. This increased demand puts a lot more strain on your cars battery.

We recommend having you car battery tested by a garage who performs the Yuasa battery test before the weather turns cold. This way you can rest assured that your battery is in the best possible shape for the winter months. This is particularly important if your battery is over three years old.

Freezing temperatures slow down the chemical process inside a battery, reducing its ability to hold its charge.  The older a battery is, the less performance it will have and the weaker it will be. An older battery that seems fine in the warm summer temperatures will often discharge or go flat very quickly as soon as the weather turns colder. In most cases this will then lead to a non-start situation… the last thing you need on a frosty morning.

Here are the most common causes for battery failures:

Like brake pads and tyres, a battery is a consumable item and its performance will deteriorate over time. During the cold winter months, a much higher electrical demand is put on than the battery to start a vehicle. So a battery that is nearing the end of its service life may start the vehicle without any problems during the warmer summer months but will fail as soon as the temperature begins to drop. Other causes of battery failure include:

1. Infrequent use of vehicle

Short start-stop journeys do not sufficiently charge the battery. Over time this can damage the battery and lead to premature failure.

2. Extreme temperatures  

The efficiency of the chemical reaction used to supply the electrical energy to start the engine is reduced by approximately 30% at 0°C and below and by greater levels as the temperature falls further. Therefore, even a brand new battery will supply 30% less power on a cold winter morning.

3. Leaving the lights on

The most common mistake and one of the main reasons batteries fail prematurely. Also try to avoid using heaters, heated screens, heated seats and air conditioning for longer than you need to. All of these put high demands on the battery.

4. Using accessories whilst your vehicle is not running 

Modern vehicles are laden with accessories including entertainment and navigation systems. If these are used without the car running they will drain the battery’s power significantly as the battery will not be being charged up.

5. Poor maintenance

The battery could look good on the outside and have a good state of charge, but often the battery’s state of health is unknown if it has not been tested.

Why you should consider getting your battery checked:

• To prevent unexpected and unnecessary breakdowns 

Battery failure is the number one cause of breakdowns in the UK. By getting your battery checked regularly you are reducing the risk of battery related breakdowns and being stranded when your vehicle will not start.

• Your battery deserves love and attention 

In the cold conditions and dark nights your battery is under enormous pressure to power electronics such as your headlights, windscreen wipers and heated screens. It also has the very important responsibility of starting your vehicle to get you where you need to go every day. Reward it by getting it tested. If you have a garage, park your vehicle in it if possible. Not only will this make your life a lot easier on cold frosty mornings, but also keep the temperature of your vehicle, and the battery, warmer than if it is left outside in the elements.

 • If your car is more than 3 years old

A battery that has been in service for 3 years or more will have encountered a degree of deterioration through normal usage which will have reduced its overall state of health and its ability to start the engine.