How Winter Impacts Your Vehicle Battery

The Science Behind Winter Battery Failures

Car batteries rely on a chemical reaction to generate power. In cold weather, the chemical process slows down significantly. This means your battery must work harder to produce the same amount of energy needed to start the engine. Meanwhile, your vehicle's electrical demands increase. Heaters, heated seats, headlights, and window defrosters all require power, adding even more strain to the battery.

Short Journeys and Battery Drain

Frequent short trips contribute significantly to battery issues in winter. Starting your car consumes a considerable amount of battery power. If you only drive short distances, your alternator lacks time to recharge the battery fully. Over time, this leads to a gradual depletion of battery capacity. Consequently, the battery becomes more susceptible to failure, especially in cold weather.

This is somewhat different for Electric Vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicles do not experience the same high drain when you "start" them. However, certain EVs may only recharge the 12-volt battery when driving or when plugged in at home. This can affect the longevity of the battery.

For example, consider a traditional fuel vehicle. If you frequently take quick trips to the shops or for short school runs, your battery may never fully recharge after starting the engine. Combine this with winter’s natural impact on battery efficiency, and you’re much more likely to find yourself needing a jump start.

Although many car batteries come with a 3-year (or longer) warranty, real-world conditions can shorten their lifespan. If your driving mostly comprises short trips of 15 minutes or less, your battery might wear out in just a couple of years.

Auto electricians and car manufacturers often overlook the importance of driving frequency and trip length when testing battery failures. They tend to skip this crucial subject, yet when customers inquire about vehicle security and dashcams along with parking mode, we always ask these key questions. After all, a manufacturer is unlikely to inform you that your battery will fail quicker or even go flat if you don’t drive longer distances. This wouldn't help them sell more cars!

Dashcams and Battery Drain – The Truth

Many people worry that having a hardwired dashcam in their vehicle contributes to battery drain, but this is largely a misconception. Dashcams with parking mode are designed to draw minimal power when the car is off. Professionally installed hardwire kits include safety cut-offs that shut down the dashcam if the battery voltage drops too low. This ensures that your vehicle will always start when needed.

With over 36 years of experience in the technology and electronics industry, we are experts in our field. We supply and install the most energy-efficient vehicle dashcams on the market. Some of these only consume a mere 0.06 watts while in energy-efficient parking mode, having next to no impact on your vehicle battery.

Additionally, most of our dashcams are programmed to enter a low-power surveillance mode when the engine is off. They record only when motion or impact is detected. This further reduces power consumption compared to other vehicle electronics, such as alarm systems or heated seats, which place a far greater strain on the battery.

Depending on the dashcam model, we can also configure the camera to power on and off with your vehicle, ensuring zero impact on your battery.

How to Prevent Battery Issues in Winter

If you want to reduce the risk of a dead battery in winter, here are some simple yet effective steps you can take:

Take Longer Drives: Avoid excessive short journeys. A longer drive of at least 30-45 minutes gives your alternator enough time to recharge the battery properly.
Use a Battery Trickle Charger: If you don’t drive often, consider using a battery maintainer or trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.
Limit Electrical Use: Turn off unnecessary electrical loads like heated seats and window defrosters once they’ve done their job.
Get Your Battery Tested: If your battery is over two years old, have it tested before winter to ensure it’s in good condition.
Keep Terminals Clean: Corrosion on battery terminals can reduce efficiency. Cleaning them periodically can help maintain a strong connection.
Invest in a Power Bank Jump Pack: These devices can be invaluable. Should you ever have a flat battery, simply connect this portable power pack to your battery and start your car. Once started, remove the device and place it back in your glove box. These can be easily recharged using your cigarette socket.

We recommend this unit from Amazon: Power Bank Jump Pack

Final Thoughts

Car batteries are more prone to failure in winter due to cold slowing down the chemical reactions needed for power generation. Short journeys further stress your battery as they do not allow sufficient time to recharge. While a hardwired dashcam does draw some power, it is minimal and includes safety features to prevent excessive drain.

To keep your car running smoothly this winter, focus on maintaining good driving habits, monitoring your battery’s health, and ensuring it gets enough charge through longer journeys or a trickle charger when needed.

At Dashcams.co.uk, we provide expert dashcam installations with careful consideration for your vehicle’s battery health. If you have any concerns about dashcam installation or battery maintenance, don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’re here to help!