Did you know battery power can drop by as much as 35% when the temperature hits freezing? Cold weather is the number one enemy of your car battery. A battery that worked fine in summer can fail unexpectedly when the temperature drops.The good news? A few simple checks and maintenance steps can prevent this headache. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what to do — and link you to the right products on our battery page.
Why Winter is So Hard on Your Battery?
Cold weather makes life hard for your car battery in several ways. When temperatures drop, the chemical reactions inside the battery slow down, reducing its available power. At the same time, engine oil thickens in the cold, forcing the starter and battery to work much harder to turn the engine over — this is where Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) become crucial. On top of that, winter driving increases electrical demand, with heaters, headlights, wipers, and seat warmers all adding extra strain to your battery.
How to Check Your Car Battery
Safety First!
Wear safety glasses and gloves.
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Turn the engine OFF and remove the keys.
The Visual Inspection
Check the Age:
Most batteries last 3–5 years. Find the date sticker — if it’s old, it’s time to consider a replacement from
Look for Damage:
Cracks or bulges in the case mean the battery is compromised.
Look for Corrosion:
White or bluish powder on terminals blocks power flow.
Test the Voltage (The Health Check)
Easy Way (Headlight Test):
Turn on headlights without starting the engine. Dim lights = weak battery.
Accurate Way (Multimeter):
Set to DCV (20 volts).
Red probe on positive (+), black on negative (-).
12.6V+:
Fully charged.
12.4V:
Good, but needs a top-up.
12.2V or less:
Discharged — charge immediately.
👉 Shop digital multimeters and battery testers.
How to Maintain Your Car Battery
Clean the Terminals
Disconnect negative (-) first, then positive (+).
Use baking soda paste or
.
Rinse lightly and dry completely.
Reconnect positive first, then negative.
Apply anti-corrosion spray or dielectric grease.
👉 Find battery cleaning kits and sprays.
Keep It Charged
Short trips don’t recharge your battery fully.
If your car sits for long periods, use a
smart battery maintainer
.
Trickle charger:
Keeps battery topped up safely.
Battery charger:
Revives a dead battery.
👉 Browse battery chargers and maintainers.
When Is It Time for a New Battery?
Slow engine crank.
Battery or check engine light on.
Battery older than 3–5 years.
Just a click when starting (“click of death”).
Swollen or cracked case.
👉 Shop replacement car batteries now for fast delivery or Click & Collect.
Quick FAQ
Q: Can a car battery freeze?
A: Yes! A discharged battery can freeze at 0°C. A fully charged battery is protected down to much colder temperatures.
Q: Will idling my car charge the battery?
A: Barely. You need at least 30 minutes of driving at highway speeds for a meaningful charge.
Q: What are “CCA”?
A: Cold Cranking Amps measure your battery’s ability to start in cold weather. Always check CCA when buying a new battery.
Q: I Have changed my battery but I'm still having issues?
A: There are many problems that this could be, start by using a battery tester to ensure that your battery is not faulty. If not, it could be your alternator which means your battery isn't being charged when you drive, we would recommend taking it Titl
Don’t wait until you’re stranded. Explore our full battery range and winter maintenance accessories today. With over 200 stores across the country, you can get the right battery for you, plus with click and collect, you can get your new battery in as little as 30 minutes!
