Why Car Batteries Die in Cold Weather (and How to Avoid It)

What the cold does to a battery

A car battery makes power through a chemical reaction, and that reaction slows down when it is cold. At the same time, cold engine oil is thicker, so the starter motor needs more power to turn the engine over. Less power available plus more power needed is why winter mornings catch out weak batteries.

Short journeys make it worse. Heaters, heated screens and lights all draw power, and a 10-minute trip is often not long enough for the alternator to put back what starting the car took out.

Warning signs your battery is on its way out

Slow, laboured cranking, dim lights when starting, the stop-start system refusing to work, or a battery warning light on the dash are all signs. Most batteries last around three to five years, so if yours is older than that, it is worth testing.

Stop-start cars need the right battery

Cars with stop-start use AGM or EFB batteries, which cost more than a standard one. Fitting the wrong type can stop the system working and shorten the battery's life. Many modern cars also need the new battery registered to the car's computer so it charges correctly.

Battery testing in Brierley Hill

We test the battery and the charging system together, so you know whether the battery is at fault or the alternator is not charging it. If a new battery is needed, we fit the correct type and register it where required. Call 01384 936310.