Car Battery in winter

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 12:58

I'm having issues starting the car after a very cold night ( minus temps ), i have a jumper pack, and when i add that it starts immediately. is there anything i can do at nighttime ( except remove battery) to help with the issue?

maybe a thermal blanket over the engine bay etc etc

TIA

jeffspuds · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:02

get a new battery

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:05

jeffspuds said:
get a new battery

that is on the cards, i just cant get one at the moment, but i may need to use the car in the mean time......

Nasher · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:07

Not sure anything will help if the battery is unhealthy.

jeffspuds · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:09

no idea why you would risk being stuck in this cold weather.

winter is when it finds out weak batteries.

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:13

jeffspuds said:
no idea why you would risk being stuck in this cold weather.

winter is when it finds out weak batteries.

im not stuck, as i work from home anyway and the booster pack starts the car immediately..... will see if i can book a slot at halfords for tomorrow and get the new battery fitted.

Thanks All

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:53

will i need a new radio code or are they married to the car these days

vauxhall insignia estate 2014

jeffspuds · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:56

Welshman said:
will i need a new radio code or are they married to the car these days

vauxhall insignia estate 2014

dont know what is worse needing a radio code a battery or owning an insignia.

andy_mk3 · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:56

Leaving it on a maintenance charger for a few days might help ease the last bit of life out of it. Ultimately it’s due a replacement.

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 13:59

jeffspuds said:
dont know what is worse needing a radio code a battery or owning an insignia.

nothing wrong with the car, had it 6yrs now, not skipped a beat until now with the battery.... not every one needs to drive around in a willy extension

lordrobs · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:33

Could be stratification (separation of the electrolytes).

If you have access to a charger with a reconditioning mode it would be worth bringing it in to the warm and connecting it up to that for a good chunk of time.

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:34

bit the bullet, quick trip to halfords 0.7miles away and new battery fitted. That be £235 thank you sir

jeffspuds · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:35

Welshman said:
bit the bullet, quick trip to halfords 0.7miles away and new battery fitted. That be £235 thank you sir

well worth it bud this time of year catches people out and its freezing out there.

dave28 · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:36

Welshman said:
bit the bullet, quick trip to halfords 0.7miles away and new battery fitted. That be £235 thank you sir

I pay £50 for car and van batteries, £235 seems very steep

jeffspuds · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:37

dave28 said:
I pay £50 for car and van batteries, £235 seems very steep

all come with differnet specs and some need coding in too so comment is irrelevant.

The Angry Welshman · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:39

dave28 said:
I pay £50 for car and van batteries, £235 seems very steep

yup some batteries are 50 quid.... the one for my car is £235 quid, thats halfords, quickfit is £260, AA was £275, ATS was £265

jeffspuds · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:41

Welshman said:
yup some batteries are 50 quid.... the one for my car is £235 quid, thats halfords, quickfit is £260, AA was £275, ATS was £265

dont know if you do but in the boot i carry a survival kit, i could get through it but if i have the kids and mrs in the car rather not take the chance.

Rroff · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:43

Welshman said:
yup some batteries are 50 quid.... the one for my car is £235 quid, thats halfords, quickfit is £260, AA was £275, ATS was £265

Probably more like £130-150 from somewhere like Tayna unless your car actually needs it "programmed".

Personally wouldn't buy a £50 battery probably end up spending the same over time on a lower quality battery.

robj20 · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:45

Welshman said:
yup some batteries are 50 quid.... the one for my car is £235 quid, thats halfords, quickfit is £260, AA was £275, ATS was £265

They all include fitting as well though? What does it cost here https://batterygroup.co.uk/

robj20 · 4 Jan 2025 at 14:46

Rroff said:
Probably more like £130-150 from somewhere like Tayna unless your car actually needs it "programmed".

Personally wouldn't buy a £50 battery probably end up spending the same over time on a lower quality battery.

Most cars have a simple way to reset the BMS mine you flash the high beam 5 times, press the brake pedal 3 times, battery light starts flashing, job done.