What Happens When a Car Battery Freezes?

When temperatures drop below freezing, the environment can wreak havoc on many devices, vehicles, components and more. This includes car batteries. The effects of freezing temperatures on car batteries can be detrimental to a battery’s performance. To understand why this is true, we have to take a look at what happens to batteries when they’re frozen in Houston, TX. Here’s what you need to know.

What happens?

If the temperature drops, and your battery is low on charge, it can freeze. The liquid inside the battery freezes, which often breaks the electrical connections within the battery. This freezing can also cause the plates to bend. This damage reduces the battery’s output ability, and typically renders the battery useless.

Why does it happen?

Many things can cause your battery to get low on charge, which will allow it to freeze. Your alternator might not be working properly, or your battery may be old and unable to hold a charge properly. You may also have a short in the electrical system that is causing a drain on your battery. Any of these issues can result in a less-than-fully-charged battery, which makes it susceptible to freezing.

Can I thaw it out?

If your battery freezes, it is unlikely that it will work if you thaw it out. If it does work, it will be weakened from the freezing process and probably won’t work reliably or for very long. Because of the effects of freezing temperatures on car batteries in Houston, TX, if your battery has frozen, it’s best to replace it. Otherwise, you risk being stranded with a dead battery.

How can I avoid a frozen battery?

To prevent the effects of freezing temperatures on car batteries in Houston, TX, you can take several precautions. First, check your battery often. If you discover it is low on charge, recharge it. You should also check your electrical systems twice each year to ensure they are working properly. Consult with your local battery experts for assistance with these battery and system checks.

It’s also a good rule of thumb to replace your battery every five years. This is the typical life expectancy for car batteries. If you stay on top of this maintenance, you can avoid a battery that is low on charge and likely to freeze when the temperatures drop.

Lastly, store your fully charged battery in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. This will help prevent damage to the battery that can be caused by extreme temperatures.

Frozen battery? We can help

For quality battery solutions, contact the experts at Texford Battery Co. We pride ourselves on being much more than just another battery specialist. We credit our seven decades of business growth and success to the unmatched service and expertise our team provides. As a founding member of the Battery Marketing Group, the national network of battery distributors and manufacturers, we are able to offer up to 10,000 of the industry’s top products to our customers at the lowest cost. Reach us today at 713-222-0125.

Categorised in: Car Batteries

This post was written by Writer