Tips for maintaining your battery on cold winter days
Unexpected battery failure is most common in the winter months.
However, you can prevent a breakdown with proper maintenance.
Batteries lose a lot of power in cold weather, so battery failure is most likely to occur in winter. Poor-performing batteries often run for months and still start the engine. But when they are exposed to a cold night for the first time, they fail. Unexpected battery failures are costly and inconvenient, but they can be avoided with the right approach to maintenance. In the
Exide Technologies manual (
www.exidegroup.com), a leading manufacturer of original equipment and aftermarket batteries, offers tips for keeping your battery in great condition during the winter months.
Covid-19 changed people's habits. More work from home and many travel less frequently or for shorter distances for business or personal reasons. This is great for the environment and the amount we spend on fuel is also lower, but it can be costly due to the increased likelihood of breakdowns.
Batteries older than 4 years in particular can face problems. Their age already reduces their performance, and they are more likely to have problems with lower engine start-up in winter temperatures if the battery is only partially charged. Car batteries work best at 27°C. When the temperature drops to 0°C, even a fully charged battery loses about a third of its starting power. Cold weather also means that more energy is needed to start the engine, creating a double effect – less available power and increased energy demand.
Longer journeys are key
Short journeys may not be enough to keep the battery charged. The alternator ideally needs at least 15–20km of motorway to fully charge the battery, so these short journeys may not be enough. In fact, short journeys are often harmful for the battery as they may not compensate for the energy costs of starting the engine and powering the electrical equipment during the journey. To keep your battery well charged, make sure you regularly drive longer distances or consider plugging it in for recharging.
When the battery goes into a low state of charge, this can cause permanent damage or increase the chance of failure in winter.
Keep your battery full
If you don't have a reason for longer journeys, chargers such as the Exide 12/7 or 12/15 are a great alternative. The chargers are also designed to act as a maintenance charger when the battery is recharged, preserving its life and keeping it in the correct state of charge. Exide advises you to charge the battery at least every 4–6 weeks if your vehicle is parked all the time.
If you don't have access to a charger, workshops can always help. They will usually test the battery with a professional tester such as the Exide EBT965P and will have a charger on hand if you need it. If the battery voltage in a vehicle that is not running is below 12.5V, it must be charged immediately.
Tips for good battery maintenance in winter:
• Take regular trips of at least 15–20km to keep the battery in a solid state of charge.
• Recharge the battery every 4–6 weeks to keep it in optimal condition when your vehicle is turned off.
• Do not let the battery voltage drop below 12.5V.
• High-performance batteries offer a lower risk of failure.
The right technology for the job
Exide Premium Carbon Boost can easily withstand extreme weather conditions. It charges up to twice as fast as a normal battery and offers 30% more starting power. Fast charging means it reaches a healthy state of charge faster, reducing the risk of battery failure and vehicle breakdown.
Exide AGM and EFB batteries offer excellent performance even in cold weather. Designed by Exide with original equipment for leading European car manufacturers, they provide outstanding electrical performance and have been specifically designed to support the start-stop powertrain. EFB batteries can also be used in conventional cars without the start-stop system.