The Effect of Cold Weather on AVG Automobile Batteries
While the average automobile battery can last several years, drastic weather conditions harm the performance of your battery and engine and increase the change of battery failure. While no automobile battery will last forever, with the proper type of battery and regular maintenance, you can avoid a dead battery during the cold winter months.
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Background
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Automobile batteries store energy that is used by a vehicle's ignition system to start the engine. After a automobile's engine is turned on, the automobile's alternator uses the engine power to continually recharge the battery. When you operate electrical devices while the engine is off, such as power windows, headlights or the radio, the battery power slowly drains away. The average automobile battery lasts about two years. While all automobile batteries will eventually die, with regular maintenance an automobile battery can last three to five years.
Explanation
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Extreme cold weather conditions can affect the average automobile battery's life and performance. Automobile batteries produce electrons through chemical reactions. During cold weather, the battery's chemical reactions take place more slowly, thus producing fewer electrons with which to power the engine. In addition, the engine's oil thickens during cold weather, causing the engine to require up to three times as much power to turn over.
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Cranking Amps
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Automobile battery output is usually rated at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery power drops off below this temperature, and at 5 degrees Fahrenheit, a fully charged battery has only half of its rated capacity. The cranking amp or CA rate helps determine how much power can be delivered to start an automobile in most climates. The CA rate indicates the discharge load that a new, fully charged battery can deliver at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cold-Cranking Amps
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The cold-cranking amps or CCA rating indicates a battery's ability to start an engine in extremely cold weather. The CCA rate measures the discharge load delivered by a battery at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. In normal weather conditions, a battery with a low CCA will reliably start any automobile, but in cold climates, the amount of energy needed to start an automobile engine can exceed the energy available from the battery. Choosing a battery with a high CCA rating is beneficial if you live in a cold climate.
Prevention
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To prevent battery failure in harsh climates with cold weather, it is a good idea to keep the automobile's engine compartment warm overnight. If possible, park your automobile in an indoor garage. Throwing a blanket over the engine can also help hold in warmth until the morning. You may need to consider investing in a battery heater or engine heater for your automobile. These can reduce the amount of power needed to start your car in cold weather.
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References
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