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car battery in winter Is it safe to

babycham7
babycham7 Posts: 2 Newbie
in Motoring
Hi
Is it safe to put old blankets or newspaper over car battery( mines in the boot) to keep it from freezing over night ? I don't have a garage

Comments

  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,958 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Batteries are very prone to freezing if they're more than about 50% discharged - the electrolyte becomes weaker as it discharges - part of the chemical reaction which makes it work. If your battery is in the boot it's probably a gel type (and so no caps to unscrew on the top). If it is, you can cover it (but don't know if it'll help). The best thing you can do is make sure its well charged.
  • mikey72
    mikey72 Posts: 14,680 Forumite
    Even a fully discharged one will last to about -15 C.
    Fully charged maybe -50 C.
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    If your battery is having trouble starting the car, just buy a new one..... Trying to keep a battery going when it's on it's last legs is just incredibly dumb and will cost you a great deal more in the end (if you have to get towed home and then pay a premium price for a battery out of desperation for example).
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

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  • Gloomendoom
    Gloomendoom Posts: 16,551 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    mikey72 wrote: »
    Even a fully discharged one will last to about -15 C.
    Fully charged maybe -50 C.

    Yup. I've never heard of a battery freezing in the UK.

    There's always a first time though. :p
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    Wrap it in bubble wrap.
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
  • harveybobbles
    harveybobbles Posts: 8,973 Forumite
    Remove it from the car and keep it by the fire over night.
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    Wrap it in tin toil.....



    NO!!! DO NOT!!!
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

    <><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/
  • Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!
    Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! Posts: 2,579 Forumite
    harveybobbles wrote: »
    Remove it from the car and keep it by the fire over night.

    I know most people will laugh at that, but some are stupid enough to believe it...
  • thin_white_duke
    thin_white_duke Posts: 22 Forumite
    Buy a new one
    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
  • robredz
    robredz Posts: 1,602 Forumite
    If the battery is in good condition and holding it's charge it should be OK, if you have doubts go to a reputable motor factor, and have it drop tested, if it fails the test it is likely on the way out and it would be better to replace it imho.
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