How Often Should I Start My Car to Keep the Battery Charged in Cold Weather?

If you see someone on the roadside or in the front yard stranded with a car that won’t start, the may issue is always the battery. This is because the battery delivers the electrical charge to start the car. So, it will only work when it is in the best conditions.

Extreme temperature is one of the biggest threats to battery performance. It would be best to keep the battery at around 26.7F or 80F in the best operating state.

Batteries are made from chemical materials that react to initiate their operation. Extremely high temperatures speed up the reaction while freezing temperatures tend to slow down the reactions too much. Both high and low temperatures can cause some external issues that can damage the battery completely.

This guide will focus on starting a car during the cold season. Keep reading to discover how cold affects the battery and what to do.

How Long Can Car Sit in Cold Weather?

Your car should not sit under freezing temperatures overnight. Pack your car in the garage, away from the wind, or find a way to cover it whenever possible.

We have come across this question so many times. People seek to know how long they should leave their cars to sit in the cold weather.

The simplest answer is; don’t leave your car in the cold if you can avoid it. Cold temperatures can cause a major breakdown of your battery.

Imagine waking up late in the morning and rushing to the office, only for your car to fail to start. However much you turn the ignition, nothing happens because the battery is completely drained.

If you must leave the car outside during winter, ensure the battery is fully charged. The increased reaction in a charged battery may produce enough heat to keep it operating. Aside from that, fully charged batteries don’t freeze until the conditions go below -76F.

3.2V 20A Low Temp LiFePO4 Battery Cell -40℃ 3C discharge capacity≥70% Charging temperature：-20~45℃ Discharging temperature: -40~+55℃ pass acupuncture test -40℃ maximum discharge rate：3C

READ MORE

Here is how cold temperatures affect car batteries:

Reduced Capacity

Capacity defines how much charge a battery can hold at any given time. The large the capacity, the better the performance you get from the battery.

At low temperatures, the battery’s capacity can drop as low as 50%. With such are reduction, the battery loses more of its power output, which is crucial in starting the car.

Changed Viscosity

Try putting engine oil under freezing temperature, and it will thicken, which makes it useless. The same happens with the battery’s electrolyte,

As a result, the battery is forced to work too hard, and yet it’s at low capacity already. And that is where you will hear about an engine refusing to turn over. The reaction does not produce enough power to ignite the engine.

Reduced Recharge Rate

Car batteries are defined by their charge cycles when considering durability and performance. The rate of recharge is crucial as it helps your battery to charge effectively.

When you are driving, the alternator will charge the battery. At an optimal charging rate, the battery should not take long to gain a full charge.

But when the external temperature goes too low, it drags the rate of recharge along. You will be forced to drive much further to ensure it is recharged correctly. It is no longer just the standard 30-minute drive. This can take several hours.

What do these effects mean, then? Leaving your car in cold winter conditions is a bad idea. The car will not start, and your battery may be completely damaged.

Low Temperature High Energy Density Rugged Laptop Polymer Battery Battery specification: 11.1V 7800mAh -40℃ 0.2C discharge capacity ≥80% Dustproof, resistance to dropping, anti - corrosion, anti - electromagnetic interference

READ MORE

How to Safely Park Your Car in the Cold

What if you have no option but to leave your car in the cold for a long time? Perhaps you are at the airport, and you must park your car. How do you ensure you have enough juice to get you started when you return?

Consider the following tips:

Use a Battery Blanket

One of the best and most effective ways to protect your battery is using a battery blanket. These are specially designed blankets that insulate the battery, preventing heat loss.?

As a result, the internal operating conditions are kept intact, giving your battery enough juice to start the car.

Charge the Battery Effectively

It takes longer for a fully charged battery to freeze than it does for a discharged battery. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to ensure your battery always has enough charge. As stated above, a charged battery starts freezing at -76F, while a discharged one will start freezing at 36F.

Get a More Powerful Battery

There is a secret to getting the right car battery. A larger capacity battery is less likely to freeze and become useless. So, choose a battery that can withstand such conditions. A good example is the deep cycle battery, which can easily charge and perform under strenuous conditions.??

How is Cold Too Cold to Start a Car?

Starting a car when it’s cold depends on just?how cold the conditions are. As stated earlier, freezing temperatures can significantly slow down the chemical reactions in a battery, which reduces its capacity and performance.

So, how cold is too cold? We have the simplest answer for you. There is no global figure that indicates the level of cold at which you can or can’t start a car. This is because different engines and batteries have different tolerances for these conditions. A weak engine or battery will not start efficiently, even under mild conditions. A stronger engine will easily start unless things get too complex.

The rule of thumb is to attempt to start the car for only 10 seconds. If the engine does not come to life, leave it and find a way to recharge the battery. Forcing it can lead to further damage.

How Long to Run Car to Charge Battery in Cold Weather

Under normal conditions, you can run the car for only 20 to 30 minutes, and you have a full charge. But things are different when the weather is too cold. The temperature reduces the battery’s internal chemical reactions, which slows down the rate of charge.

Instead of the usual time, you may have to drive much longer to get a full charge. The best time would be at least one hour on the road.