Cold Weather Car Battery Tips: Prevent Your Car from Dying in Winter
There is a sound every Edmonton driver dreads. It is 7:00 AM, and the temperature is hovering around -30°C. The outside is dark. You get into your car, turn the key, and… click. Silence.
Winter is hard on us, but it is even harder on our vehicles. Your car battery is the heart of your vehicle, and the cold weather is its worst enemy. When the temperature drops, your engine requires more power to start, but your battery has less power to give. It is a bad combination.
Read More: Why Cars Won’t Start in Cold Weather and How to Fix It
The good news is that you don’t have to be a mechanic to keep your car running. Here are simple tips to keep your battery alive and prevent that dreaded morning silence.
1. Check Your Battery’s Age
Batteries do not last forever. The average lifespan of a car battery in Alberta is about 3 to 5 years. If your battery is older than three years, it is living on borrowed time. You can usually find the manufacturer’s date on a sticker on the top or side of the battery case. If you can’t find it or have noticed your lights dimming when you idle, it might be time to get it tested before the deep freeze hits.
2. Plug It In (It’s Not Just for the Engine)
We all know we should plug in our block heaters to keep the engine oil warm. But did you know that keeping the engine bay warm also helps the battery?
If you want to provide your battery with extra protection, consider purchasing a battery blanket. It is a heated wrap that plugs into an extension cord. It keeps the battery fluid from getting too cold, ensuring it has full power when you turn the key.
Read More: What to Do when you have a Frozen Car Battery and how to Prevent It
3. Avoid Short Trips
This is a common reason for winter breakdowns. If you only drive 10 minutes to the grocery store and back, your alternator (which charges the battery) does not have enough time to replace the energy used to start the car.
Doing this repeatedly slowly drains the battery until one day, it just won’t start. Try to take a longer drive, at least 20 to 30 minutes, once a week on the highway. This gives the system a chance to recharge fully.
4. Turn Off Accessories Before Starting
When you get into a freezing car, the temptation is to blast the heat, turn on the seat warmers, and crank the radio immediately. However, all these electronics demand power. If you turn them on before the engine is running, you are stealing precious energy that the starter motor needs. Make it a habit to ensure your heater, radio, and lights are off before you turn the key. Once the engine is running smoothly, go ahead and crank up the heat.
5. Keep Your Terminals Clean
Pop your hood and look at the battery terminals (the metal posts where the cables connect). Do you see a white or blue powdery substance? That is corrosion.
Corrosion acts like a wall. It makes it harder for electricity to flow from the battery to the engine. You can clean this easily with a wire brush and a mixture of baking soda and water. Just make sure the car is off when you do it.
What If It Still Won't Start?
Sometimes, no matter how well you prepare, the cold weather wins. If you come out to a dead car, you typically have two options: use your own jumper cables or call a pro. If you are going to use your own cables, you need to be careful. Modern cars have sensitive electronics that can be fried if you hook cables up incorrectly.
Read More: How to Boost a Car Battery: The Safe, Modern Guide
If you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, at Maxim Towing, we are ready for the cold.
- Need a quick fix? We offer fast Car Battery Boost services in Edmonton. We will come to your driveway, workplace, or the side of the road to jump-start your vehicle safely.
- Something more serious? If a boost doesn’t work, it might be a starter issue or a frozen battery. In that case, our Roadside Assistance team can arrange a tow to get your car to a warm shop for repairs.
Don't Get Left in the Cold
Winter driving requires preparation, but you always have a backup plan. Keep your battery warm, keep it charged, and keep our number in your phone just in case. Need a boost or a tow right now? We are available 24/7 to get you back on the road.
Call Maxim Towing: (780) 604-4060 Fast Response. Fair Pricing. 24/7 Service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Car Batteries
A fully charged battery can withstand temperatures as low as -60°C. However, a weak or dead battery can freeze at just 0°C (32°F). That is why keeping your battery fully charged is the best defense against freezing.
No. A standard block heater only warms the engine oil and coolant. While this makes it easier for the engine to turn over (which puts less strain on the battery), it does not actually charge or warm the battery itself. For that, you would need a battery blanket or a trickle charger.
Idling in your driveway usually isn’t enough. You typically need to drive for at least 20 to 30 minutes at highway speeds to replenish the energy used to start the car. If you only take short trips, consider using a trickle charger at home.
If you hear a slow, sluggish “groan” when trying to start, your battery is likely cold and low on charge, but might still work with a boost. If you hear a fast clicking noise or nothing at all, the battery is completely dead, or the connection is bad.
You certainly can, but be careful. Car batteries are heavy, and in freezing temperatures, plastic parts in your engine bay can snap easily. If you are stranded and don’t have the tools, it is often safer to call for Roadside Assistance to get you to a shop or get a boost to get moving again.
24/7 Towing and Roadside Assistance Services in Alberta
Contact us for fast and dependable towing and roadside assistance, available 24 hours a day. We help with car lockouts, battery jump starts, flat tires, and accident recovery, so you can get back on the road safely.