Batteries and cold weather?

[oxford_hippo]

for cars parked up outside during this cold weather ...

Just wondered how the battery may be affected by the cold/if it's worth disconnecting it etc..

If the car battery was all fine and fully charged up ( after a reasonable length drive ) - then parked up on the street in the current freezing weather - how long could you expect it to stay happy - it's only powering the alarm?

still a fair sized dolop of snow covering most of it[8D], and roads quite bad here so not been using it for a while[].

What do manufacturer's do for really cold climes? - remember on a previous car ( VW corrado ) the battery had a padded jacket - tho might have been against engine heat not cold??
T[&:]

 

[Mark Elder]

My battery was down to 4.8 volts after 4 weeks of this cold and no use. But, even in the summer, I would not expect it to start the car with 4 weeks of zero use. Cold definately reduces their power but I think you just have to use them, I can't see a padded jacket being any good. Insulation only helps reduce the speed of change in temerature - it will take the battery longer to get cold - but leaving it in sub-zero conditions for a few days is going to take it down to sub-zero even with a padded jacket.

 

[oxford_hippo]

yup---was more really wondering out loud and randomly why the vW had a jacket.

Started the car up this morning after a week stood in the snow without use and a smidgen of a stutter, then fired up fine.

T[&:]

 

[ianpop]

My battery is a year old. No problems all year whilst in use, then 3 weeks no use, bad weather and the familiar 'clunk' on turning the key. Re-charged the battery and she fired first time. I guess a couple of weeks is the limit without use.

Ian

 

[JB 3.2]

I usually get about 3 weeks without use and its OK but as the car is outside at the moment it is down to about a week in the sub zero temps..

MGA will last 3 months no problem.

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: JB 3.2

MGA will last 3 months no problem.

yes, it was more satisfying when "off" at the ignition key really switched the car off[8|]

 

[edelschmetterling]

I find two weeks is the max and even then I'll have a couple of attempts before she kick into life. Generally run her at least once a week, thirty 30 miles or so just to keep her battery happy.

& Yes I find the cold doesn't help the battery either, but when her engine is running she does seem to like the cooler air better. I think they refer to this as 'taking the rough with the smooth'. [8|]