How to Keep Car Battery from Dying When Not In Use In Cold Weather

Last updated on July 16th, 2023 at 10:32 am

Your car battery is a necessary component of your vehicle that enables the start motor to crank the engine of the vehicle by passing electricity to the ignition of the car which brings it to life.

Without out a life battery in your vehicle, it is impossible for your car to start. That is why in this article, we will look at how to keep car battery from dying when not in use in cold weather.

So if you are stuck on wondering how to keep car battery from dying in cold weather? Here’s a quick guide that you can follow one step at a time to avoid getting jammed in freezing temperatures. Be sure to read this post with my full and complete guide on picking the best battery maintainer for winter storage

How to Keep Car Battery from Dying in The Cold Weather when Not In Use

Weather temperatures dropping below zero can take a toll on your car’s battery. The cold weather can drain the battery, thicken the motor oil, and reduce its cranking power.

Performing below these preventive measures for your car battery life is essential to do in other to keep car battery from dying when not in use.

Mobile homes and RVs are greatly affected because of their exposure to severe weather.

That is why it is essential to have the best RV battery you can invest in. Other vehicles should also have the battery best suited for their location’s changing weather conditions.

How to Keep Car Battery from Dying When not in Use in Cold Weather or Winter

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how you can keep your car batteries in good shape for the winter when not in use:

Step 1: Check you battery’s age

The average lifespan of a car battery is around 4 to 5 years old. Considering noting what year you bought your car’s battery as nearing this age range can cause minor interruptions. There are a lot of considerations as to what can prolong this lifespan. But around that time, it is worthy of having it checked on the manufacturing site of the battery or at your local automotive shops. Getting it tested on its average lifespan will prevent your mishaps on the road.

Step 2: Note the times your car will start slow in the morning

Cold mornings might weaken your car battery. It is worthy to note the date on which your car will start slower than expected. Other than that, note also the times when it is cranking up more gradually than usual. Those signs will tell you that it is getting near the end of its life. Upon noting these signs, have your batteries checked immediately.

Step 3: Clean the residues on the battery terminals

The residues seen on the battery terminals are a sign of battery corrosion. One thing that can extend the life of your battery is by cleaning off the terminals. Gently remove the residue seen on top of the terminals. You can also spray it off with a terminal protector to prevent residue buildup.

Step 4: Park inside the garage

Parking inside the garage lessens the exposure of your car in the harsh cold. Having your vehicle inside prevents it from getting in too much snow. It also reduces the car’s exposure to the cold wind. Parking outside for a long time on harsh weather can drain your car’s battery quickly. Avoiding so could then prolong its life.

Step 5: Park your car properly

If you can’t help your car from being exposed in the wind, park it tactically. Parking your vehicle away from the direction of the wind can somehow prevent cold exposure. It is quite essential to park the front of the car away from the wind direction. Putting a barrier on the windshield, such as a car cover, can also protect it partially. Whether at home or work, this could save your car from being exposed to too much cold in a day.

Step 6: Jumpstart your car long enough

Sometimes, a car might need a good jump start to keep the batteries going. In cases when this will be required, it is crucial to jump start your vehicle long enough to make sure it is well charged. Jump starting it long enough keeps you at ease because it warms up slowly and keeps it set for a fair amount of time. Although jump starting may not guarantee you batteries to keep up, this could give it a boost to power itself up again. It is a great idea to get the best battery for your car. And the suitable one considers the type of vehicle and the weather changes that it goes through.

Each car may have a specific way of jump starting its battery. It would be best if you took note that jump starting it the wrong way can cause significant electrical malfunctions or damage on the battery. The worse thing that can happen when you jump start it the wrong way is to explode. Be sure to be knowledgeable enough to jump starting your battery. The key is to have the correct order of jump starting and complete the process appropriately.

Step 7: Regularly maintain your car and your car battery

Whenever you are out for car maintenance, it is crucial to have your car batteries maintained and checked. Although this can be a tedious thing to do, it is better to know cautionary problems that can be assessed when your car undergoes maintenance. The checkups on your car battery before the winter season can also help extend its battery life. A trip to the automotive shop can be more worthwhile if it checks many parts and your car’s functionality that might be affected by cold.

The cold temperature can drain the battery out of your car. Having a dead battery on the road can be a real bad scenario, especially if you are out alone. Preventing this to happen is the most that you can do to avoid being stuck in the cold with a dead car battery. It saves you time, money, and the effort of changing your car battery at the wrong place.

So basically the above steps is how to keep car battery from dying when not in use in cold season or winter.

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Jeffery Ekweghi

Hi dear, my name is Jeffery Ekweghi, and I am a certified mechanic and autobody parts technician. I created this site to share my expertise and experience with car lovers looking to resolve their car-related issues. I am certified in private cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. I have worked as a mechanic since 2015 and have experience in vehicle brands like Subaru, Jeep, Toyota, TATA, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia, TVs, and Others; however, I primarily specialize in Toyota vehicles.