Avoid battery blues this winter

As winter tightens its grip, your car battery faces its toughest test of the year.

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Dylan Petzer, Vice Chairman of the Tyre Equipment Parts Association (TEPA), has highlighted the increased risk of battery-related breakdowns during the colder months. Here's a more in-depth look at why batteries struggle in winter and how you can keep yours in top shape.

WHY COLD WEATHER IS HARD ON CAR BATTERIES

Chemical Slowdown: Car batteries rely on chemical reactions to generate power. As temperatures drop, these reactions slow, reducing the battery's ability to deliver the necessary current to start your engine. In fact, freezing weather can drain a car battery by 30% to 60% of its capacity, which is why even a healthy battery may struggle in the cold.

Increased Internal Resistance: Cold temperatures increase a battery's internal resistance, making it harder to supply power.

This is compounded by thicker engine oil, which requires more energy from the battery to turn over the engine.

Reduced Charging Efficiency: Not only does the battery deliver less power, but the alternator also charges it more slowly in cold weather.