When cold out car drains batter quick?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 12
From: Houston Tx
When cold out car drains batter quick?
Noticed this lately. When its cold out my battery does not last as long. Ill get lucky if i leave it for 24 hours without it dying and not being able to turn it over. Now during the summer/warmer days i do not have this problem. Battery is brand new basically Optima Red top. So what do you think could be the problem?
I also was able to leave my radar plugged in for at least 2 days with out it dying. Now when i leave it in during the cold days it dies. So now i just unplug it.
I also was able to leave my radar plugged in for at least 2 days with out it dying. Now when i leave it in during the cold days it dies. So now i just unplug it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 887
Likes: 8
From: North Plainfield New Jersey
I would still check the battery. Just because it's new, doesn't mean it's good. If you're killing a battery in 24 hours with nothing on or plugged in the car, there's definitely an issue.
I'm here in New Jersey, and we get a hell of a lot colder than your area, and I've had no issues at all leaving the car for 2 weeks in the garage. Starts right up no problem.
I'm here in New Jersey, and we get a hell of a lot colder than your area, and I've had no issues at all leaving the car for 2 weeks in the garage. Starts right up no problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
I would still check the battery. Just because it's new, doesn't mean it's good. If you're killing a battery in 24 hours with nothing on or plugged in the car, there's definitely an issue.
I'm here in New Jersey, and we get a hell of a lot colder than your area, and I've had no issues at all leaving the car for 2 weeks in the garage. Starts right up no problem.
I'm here in New Jersey, and we get a hell of a lot colder than your area, and I've had no issues at all leaving the car for 2 weeks in the garage. Starts right up no problem.
I just replaced my original 7 yr old OEM battery because the cold finally took its toll !
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Even with a current drain issue due to something in the car, it shouldn't last longer in one season than another due to a current drain issue, and definitely not drained down in 24 hours. It sounds like a possible defective battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: North New Jersey
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
Noticed this lately. When its cold out my battery does not last as long. Ill get lucky if i leave it for 24 hours without it dying and not being able to turn it over. Now during the summer/warmer days i do not have this problem. Battery is brand new basically Optima Red top. So what do you think could be the problem?
I also was able to leave my radar plugged in for at least 2 days with out it dying. Now when i leave it in during the cold days it dies. So now i just unplug it.
I also was able to leave my radar plugged in for at least 2 days with out it dying. Now when i leave it in during the cold days it dies. So now i just unplug it.
I had left the key on in the garage for several days and ran it completely dead. It never fully recovered from that.
So far this winter I haven't had any problems.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
by season I should have said temperatures I guess. If it is draining a lot quicker when it's cold versus when it's warm outside, that should not be a current drain issue on the car, or you would see it no matter the weather.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Obviously you did too by telling him to check the current drain, as if a current drain issue from the car is going to go away when it's warm and then start causing issues when it gets cold out.
Last edited by RLYSLO; Jan 22, 2011 at 11:48 AM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,412
Likes: 1,144
From: Dyer, IN
Why not click back over to the C5 General Section, I'm sure there is a spirited discussion going on....regarding which car air freshener smells best.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 887
Likes: 8
From: North Plainfield New Jersey
we need to know a few important details. Exactly how old is the battery? I would have it tested no matter what the age.
Have you drained the battery to dead, or almost dead before? If yes, that could be a problem right there. Batteries just aren't the same anymore once they've been completely discharged.
Have you drained the battery to dead, or almost dead before? If yes, that could be a problem right there. Batteries just aren't the same anymore once they've been completely discharged.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 255
From: Lake Tapps WA.
Noticed this lately. When its cold out my battery does not last as long. Ill get lucky if i leave it for 24 hours without it dying and not being able to turn it over. Now during the summer/warmer days i do not have this problem. Battery is brand new basically Optima Red top. So what do you think could be the problem?
I also was able to leave my radar plugged in for at least 2 days with out it dying. Now when i leave it in during the cold days it dies. So now i just unplug it.
I also was able to leave my radar plugged in for at least 2 days with out it dying. Now when i leave it in during the cold days it dies. So now i just unplug it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
8VETTE7 provided good advice. There in nothing wrong with ensuring the integrity of the system, and auditing the current draw, will only take 30 minutes of one's time. Once that is known, the OP can move on to replacing components with confidence.
Why not click back over to the C5 General Section, I'm sure there is a spirited discussion going on....regarding which car air freshener smells best.
Why not click back over to the C5 General Section, I'm sure there is a spirited discussion going on....regarding which car air freshener smells best.
However, the issue the OP has is not related to a current draw from a system or component on the car. So why tell him to waste time chasing something that is not an issue?
Maybe you should go out and re-audit your current draw... maybe it has changed from 5 minutes ago. In fact, maybe the air freshener is the problem.... maybe when it's cold, it's causing the battery to load down huh?