The Mid-Winter Battery Crisis

How do I know if I need a new battery, a charge, or a boost?

The mid-winter battery crisis is upon us, with frigid temperatures putting additional stress on automotive batteries. Car batteries sometimes experience performance issues in the depths of winter, leaving auto owners and drivers wondering whether they need a new battery, a charge, or a boost.

Myth or Science? Do Car Batteries Die During Winter?

The short answer is yes, car batteries are more likely to die during winter, especially during the middle of winter when temperatures drop the lowest. This can be deceptive, because a car battery that functioned properly during summer may fail at the first sign of truly cold weather, indicating a need for a new battery or service of some kind to the existing battery.

Why Do Car Batteries Malfunction During Winter?

Before getting into the solution, it’s important to understand the problem and why it is occurring. The science behind this phenomenon is simple enough. Automotive batteries rely on chemical processes to produce the electricity needed to power the automobile’s starter and get the vehicle up and running.

Freezing temperatures severely slow the internal chemical reactions in a battery that generate electricity. Statistical data on the extent to which temperatures affect batteries varies widely depending on the type of battery and the specific winter conditions, but a report compiled by Firestone indicated that car batteries lose power output by 35% to 60% during extremely cold temperatures.[1]

Winter affects batteries in another way, too. In addition to inhibiting the battery’s strength, winter temperatures compound conditions in other areas of the automobile, like the following:

 Increased Demand on the Battery. Cold engine oil is thicker, requiring the starter to work harder to turn over and start the engine, thereby placing more strain on the battery.

 Overall System Strain. Automobile drivers tend to increase their use of heaters, defrosters, and heated seats during winter, which also puts more strain on the vehicle’s battery, especially during the initial minutes of starting.

 Shelf Life Wear and Tear. An older battery that is “on its way out” may function just fine during summer, when the automobile puts less strain on it. But winter weather may suddenly reveal the battery’s weakness by putting more strain on an old battery than it can handle.

 Frozen Battery Electrolytes. If a battery is already weak, partially discharged, or “on its last leg,” the electrolytes inside the battery may freeze during particularly cold weather, leading to permanent damage and an inability to bring the battery back to a fully charged state.

 Cold Batteries Take Longer to Warm Up. Just like engines, batteries have an “ideal” operating temperature range, and cold temperatures during harsh Canadian winters push those temperatures well below that range.

 Chemistry and Temperature Also Play a Role. Automobile batteries rely on chemical reactions to produce electricity. Quoting research published by the National Roads and Motorists Association, “Just as heat speeds up chemical reactions, cold temperatures slow them down. That’s why you might feel your battery can become sluggish in winter, even though its state of charge may remain unchanged.”[2]

As for the ideal temperature ranges for optimal battery operation, they vary depending on the type of battery and its use. As a general rule, car batteries function best in temperatures between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius. New automobile batteries in Airdrie are still quite effective in temperatures between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius. Yet the colder a battery gets, the more likely it is to “show its age.” And by the time the temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, even a battery that’s in good shape can quickly lose about half its charge.

Winter Battery Maintenance: How Can I Tell if I Need a Charge, a Boost, or a Replacement Battery?

Automobile owners have numerous tools at their disposal for ensuring their vehicles remain reliable and safe during winter. First, owners want to know what to do if their vehicle won’t start in winter.

A car that does not start in very cold temperatures is indicative of a dead battery or one on its last proverbial leg. The first step is to perform a “boost” by using another automobile’s engine to boost the battery in the problem vehicle. Once the boost is successful, the vehicle’s alternator will take over and run the car while also charging the problem battery.

Where to get a battery boost in Airdrie? Dandy Auto is a CAA and AMA approved auto repair center. Members get the best auto services as a part of their membership, including battery boosts.

Now that the car is running, what's next? Just because the vehicle is now running does not mean the problem is solved. A running vehicle charges the battery through the alternator, but if the battery is compromised, it may not hold a charge after the vehicle is shut off, and the problem could repeat itself the next time the owner attempts to start the vehicle.

The next step is to take the vehicle to an honest automotive shop like Dandy Auto and have the battery tested by a professional Airdrie auto mechanic. A mechanical test will determine if the battery needs to be replaced.

If the battery is not yet “dead,” the automobile owner may prolong its life by investing in a trickle charger, also called a battery tender. This device charges the battery very slowly over an extended period. When the vehicle is not in use, pop the hood, attach the trickle charger to the battery, plug the charger into an outlet, and leave it charging overnight. Doing this every night will ensure the battery lasts as long as possible.

Other tactics that automobile owners may use to maximize battery life during winter include storing the vehicle in a warmer, heated area when it is not in use, such as a garage. It also helps to drive the car for 20-30 minutes at least once or twice per week to ensure the alternator has enough time to charge the battery fully.

Another tactic for batteries routinely exposed to extremely cold temperatures is for owners to wrap the battery in a “battery blanket” when the automobile is not in use. These devices are, quite literally, cozy heated blankets designed for an automobile battery. Wrap the battery in the blanket, plug the blanket into a wall outlet, and leave it be until it’s time to drive

the automobile again.

A boost can be an excellent way to rescue a situation when one must get in their vehicle and go somewhere, and a trickle charger or battery tender can help extend battery life. However, all batteries have a shelf life, and a professional battery test at Dandy Auto will indicate whether the battery needs replacement.

Giving Back to the Community with Airdrie Battery Promotions and School Donations

To get Airdrie auto owners through winter, Dandy Auto is offering a Deep Freeze special, which includes a complimentary battery and charging system test with any service. This is typically a same-day service, depending on the weather. All complimentary services are delivered on a first-come, first-served basis.

From simple Airdrie vehicle inspections to oil changes to more complex services, our professional Airdrie auto mechanics are committed to adding this complimentary service so that we may ensure all vehicles that come through our shop have functioning batteries that will get customers through the depths of winter.

To further support the Airdrie community, Dandy Auto recently donated nine gift certificates to the George McDougall High School graduation class. The certificates total $1,500 in prepaid automotive services, and the students will use the certificates at their silent auction to raise much-needed funds.

Your Essential Stop for All Things Automotive

In business since 1993, Dandy’s Airdrie auto garage has established itself as the leading full-service automotive and marine shop in Airdrie. From routine maintenance to engine diagnostics and repair, transmission and drivetrain maintenance, addressing issues with brakes, suspension, steering, electrical systems, air-conditioning, and heating, to performing

necessary vehicle inspections, including out-of-province inspections, Dandy Auto’s Airdrie honest auto mechanics take care of it all.

Shop local Airdrie today with Dandy Auto by contacting our office at (403) 945-1555 to schedule service, or reach out via email at sales@dandy.ca.

Sources:

[1] FS. “Why Car Batteries Die in Winter.” Firestone, 2024. firestonecompleteautocare.com

[2] NRMA. “How does cold weather affect your car battery?” National Roads and Motorists Association, 2025.

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