Outline:
- How Does Cold Weather Affect Hybrid Batteries?
- Is It Necessary to Warm Up a Hybrid Car in Winter?
- The Truth About Hybrid Car Batteries Freezing in Winter
- Other Ways Cold Weather Affects a Hybrid Car
- Reduced Battery Capacity
- Poor Fuel Efficiency
- Less Road Traction
- Tips to Prevent Your Battery from Dying in Cold Weather
- Ensure the Car is Powered Down Properly
- Check for Loose Cables or Corrosion
- Preventive Maintenance
- Conclusion
Summary: The battery is one of the most delicate features of a hybrid car. It needs regular care and maintenance, especially during winter. So, it’s your responsibility as a hybrid car owner to keep your battery in tip-top working condition. This blog post will reveal some maintenance tips to keep your hybrid car battery functioning at its peak during the cold season. So, read on.
How Does Cold Weather Affect Hybrid Batteries?
What’s great about hybrid batteries is that their lifespan is longer than their standard combustion counterparts. However, it has been proven that older hybrid batteries end up failing or dying in cold climates. Several Toyota Prius owners have complained of such incidents because of the tiny size of their car’s starter lead acid battery.
However, other reports claim that replacement of the starter battery with a larger one after five years solved the issues altogether. Thus, car repair specialists encourage hybrid car owners who live in cold areas to make the upgrade.
Is It Necessary to Warm Up a Hybrid Car in Winter?
As a hybrid car owner, it is vital to know the dos and don’ts of prolonging your vehicle’s life. It’s relieving to know that warming up your hybrid car in winter is not always required. That’s because it doesn’t have a direct effect on the engine whatsoever. In fact, hybrid cars are ready to be driven as soon as you start them up even in cold climates.
The Truth About Hybrid Car Batteries Freezing in Winter
The battery of a hybrid car works well regardless of the weather. It comes with a low freezing point and is resistant to frost-induced damage. However, its performance still tends to fluctuate, especially in extremely cold temperatures. Despite that, the battery doesn’t freeze at all.
Hybrid cars feature battery management technology that rids them from freezing despite sub-zero temperatures. This innovation tracks the temperature and only enables the vehicle to start when it’s the right time for the battery to start. Nevertheless, every hybrid battery varies, and the same goes for the precise temperature it can handle.
Other Ways Cold Weather Affects a Hybrid Car
Winter can wreak havoc on hybrid cars as their engines and batteries are not made to work under this condition. Here are other issues your vehicle may encounter during the cold season.
Reduced Battery Capacity
Hybrid cars do not usually function well in winter because of the considerably reduced battery capacity. This is caused by cold weather and less air conditioning, which implies less power.
Also, it takes a while for the hybrid car to charge during this season. The temperature affects the battery in different ways, but it primarily takes a toll on charge capacity and longevity. Hence, hybrid cars are still not widely preferred in colder regions. They don’t have the same mileage capability as they do in the summer.
Poor Fuel Efficiency
Environment-friendliness and fuel efficiency are synonymous with hybrid cars. However, their major drawback is poor fuel efficiency in cold temperatures. Did you know that the fuel efficiency of hybrid cards declines by almost 34 percent in winter conditions and cold weather?
Less Road Traction
Hybrid cars also don’t give as much traction during cold weather due to their aerodynamic and compact design. What’s more, they are equipped with a battery system that utilizes less energy while decreasing their power on snow-covered roads.
Tips to Prevent Your Battery from Dying in Cold Weather
It’s no longer a surprise that a hybrid car battery doesn’t perform well in cold weather. So, we’ve rounded up below some of the tricks to avoid the frustration caused by a dead battery in winter.
Ensure the Car is Powered Down Properly
Sometimes, you are the reason behind the failure or death of your car’s battery. When it is cold and dark outside, it’s normal to go inside the house in a hurry without making sure that your car is powered down properly. Have a presence of mind and turn off your cabin lights and headlights as soon as you park. Any light will drain the battery of the car overnight. Make sure the doors are closed, too. Last but not least, unplug the car accessories.
Check for Loose Cables or Corrosion
Rust around the terminals of the battery can impact the connection between the cables and the battery’s cell. If the cables are loose or the terminals are showing signs of rust, the battery won’t be able to transfer its power to the engine successfully. Therefore, inspect the terminals for corrosion on a regular basis. However, nothing beats the diagnosis of a professional technician.
Preventive Maintenance
In the winter, everything seems to move slowly, and that includes your car’s battery. So, get it tested by qualified technicians to ensure it can hold a charge. It is also advisable to change the oil of your car as the old one is thicker and not able to move through the engine smoothly. Moreover, you can use a battery blanket to keep the battery warm throughout the night. Not to mention, park your car in a garage with a canopy or downwind so that the battery is not exposed to the elements.
Conclusion
All the tips mentioned above will help you steer clear of a dead battery. However, regular maintenance is the most reliable way to keep your hybrid car battery working at its peak during cold weather. So, bring your car to Dependable Car Care, an ASE-certified car repair shop in Ventura, California. We have a team of licensed and qualified car repair specialists who offer a wide variety of services such as hybrid battery repair, check engine light repair, brake repair, and many more.
Book an appointment today and drive with confidence in cold weather! We have been servicing hybrid car owners for several years now, so you can rely on our proven track record and expertise.
