Why is the battery less durable in winter?
3 Answers
The reason why the battery is less durable in winter is: affected by temperature, the principle of the battery is a chemical reaction, and the battery activity will decrease as the temperature drops, leading to reduced battery durability. The maintenance methods for the battery are: 1. Do not overuse the battery; 2. Regularly clean the positive and negative terminals of the battery; 3. Periodically check the vent holes on the cover of non-maintenance-free batteries to avoid blockage; 4. Avoid the battery water level being too low; 5. When parking for a long time, start the vehicle once a week to charge the battery. The solutions for a dead battery are: 1. Find a nearby vehicle to jump-start; 2. Push-start for manual transmission vehicles; 3. Use a car mobile emergency power bank to charge the car; 4. Call for roadside assistance and wait for rescue.
As a driver, I've noticed that car batteries are particularly less durable in winter, mainly because the cold slows down the chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its power generation capacity. This is especially true when starting the engine, as more power is needed to overcome the resistance caused by thickened engine oil. I've experienced several instances of difficult starts in sub-zero temperatures, where the engine would struggle for a while before turning over. That's when I realized the battery was aging faster. Additionally, the car's heaters and defrosting systems consume a significant amount of electricity, depleting the already insufficient power even quicker. To avoid such hassles, I recommend checking the battery's condition before winter to see if it needs replacement, parking the car in a warm garage whenever possible, and minimizing short trips since they don't allow for sufficient charging and can accelerate power consumption. Regularly using the alternator to charge the battery during long drives can also help ensure safer winter driving.
Over my many years of driving, I've noticed that winter battery issues are mostly caused by low temperatures. The chemical reactions inside the battery slow down in cold weather, resulting in significantly reduced power output. Starting the car requires more effort, increasing engine load and making it more prone to failure. I often find that cars parked outside fare even worse, as exposure to cold winds causes the battery temperature to drop faster, cutting its capacity in half. Frequent use of air conditioning and lights further drains it quickly, noticeably accelerating aging. To maintain battery life, I recommend developing these habits: regularly check for terminal corrosion, clean the battery surface, preheat the engine for a few minutes before starting in cold weather, and minimize the use of electronic devices—this can help it last longer. If possible, periodic maintenance with a charger is even better.
