Drivers across Wales know the sinking feeling of turning the key on a frosty morning, only to be met with silence.
It’s a moment that can ruin a commute, delay the school run, and leave you stranded in the cold.
And it’s a common one. In a new survey by Vertu, over 40 servicing specialists were asked to name the single most common cause of vehicle breakdowns during winter.
An overwhelming 85% pointed to a flat or dead battery, making it by far the most common cause of winter breakdowns according to the specialists surveyed.
Chris Buckley, Master Technician at Vertu, explained, “Cold weather creates a perfect storm for battery failure. As temperatures drop, engine oil thickens, demanding significantly more energy from the starter motor.
“Simultaneously, the chemical reactions inside the battery slow down, reducing its power output by as much as 50%.
“Your car requires the most power when the battery is at its weakest. This is precisely why a battery that was reliable in autumn can fail on the first cold snap.”
Here’s some advice
Complete a 30-minute ‘maintenance’ drive
A common mistake is assuming that short, stop-start journeys are enough to keep your car battery healthy. These trips, such as a quick run to the shops, often use more power to start the car than the alternator can replace, slowly draining the battery over time.
To ensure your battery gets a full charge, take the car for a continuous drive, lasting at least 30 minutes once a week. This gives the alternator enough time to fully replenish the battery’s power reserves, especially if the car isn’t used daily.
Turn everything off before you turn the key
Many drivers get into their car and immediately turn the key, leaving headlights, wipers, and the heater on from their previous journey. This forces the battery to power all these systems, while also trying to provide the huge amount of energy needed to start a cold engine.
Make it a habit to switch off all electrical accessories—such as headlights, wipers, and the heater—when you park and before you turn off the engine. Then, before you start the car next time, double-check that they are all off. This simple action ensures that 100% of the battery’s available power is directed to the starter motor, giving you the best possible chance of the engine firing up first time.
Check your battery’s age and health
A car battery has a finite lifespan, yet most drivers are unaware of its age or condition. After three years, a battery’s ability to hold charge begins to degrade significantly, making it far more susceptible to a winter failure.
Check your car’s service history to find out how old the battery is. If it’s more than three years old, then ask a qualified technician to perform a battery health check. This is often a free service and will test its cranking power and ability to hold charge, identifying a potential failure before it happens.
Insulate the battery from the cold
When the forecast predicts temperatures dropping towards freezing (around 5°C or lower), you should take steps to insulate your battery.
Parking inside overnight is the single most effective way to protect your battery from the cold. However, If you don’t have access to a garage, simple measures can still provide crucial protection.
Using a car cover overnight will provide a layer of insulation, while parking in a spot that catches the morning sun can help warm the battery before you start your engine in the morning.
Use a trickle charger for infrequent journeys
For many people, the car may only be used for occasional trips, sometimes sitting idle for a week or more. During this time, the battery will naturally lose charge, a process that is accelerated by cold weather.
So, if your car is not used regularly, the best way to guarantee its health is with a trickle charger. This smart device plugs into the mains and provides a slow, steady stream of power to the battery, keeping it at its optimal charge level without the risk of overcharging.
In a recent survey Tesco Insurance polled drivers and unsurprisingly found that Autumn and Winter are drivers’ least favourite seasons due to darkness and adverse weather conditions.
