How To Care For Your AGM Battery This Winter

Harsh weather conditions and frigid temperatures can cause havoc on your racing car, including the battery. To ensure that your vehicle’s battery doesn’t develop any issues, learn how to take care of the battery, and enjoy the benefits of the AGM technology.

Effect of cold temperatures on AGM batteries

Cold temperatures make it more difficult for batteries, starters, and engines to function. Cells have a CAA Cold Cranking Amps rating, and in freezing temperatures, the battery requires as many CAAS as possible to operate. Most batteries struggle to start in the winter weather.

How to prevent your batteries from freezing

All batteries can freeze in cold temperatures. However, you can prevent your battery from freezing by ensuring that it is always fully charged during winter. If you use the battery sporadically and leave it to discharge during this season, its electrolytes will begin to change from acid to water as the voltage depletes. In the water-like state, the electrolyte freezes faster.

How to tell your battery is in good condition

To find out if your battery is still in good condition, you should load test it. If you don’t have a load tester, you can visit a mechanic, a battery dealer, or an auto parts store, where they can conduct the test.

How to store your race car to prevent issues with the battery

There are two practices recommended to vehicle owners to ensure that their batteries work when winter is over. You can disconnect the battery cables, or you can leave it on a maintainer type changer. Leaving the battery on maintainer mode fights against current drains from the vehicle, which can damage your battery. The two practices maintain the battery’s charge.

The benefit of using an AGM battery over gel batteries in winter

There are two benefits of using AGM batteries over wet cells. First, AGM batteries have higher CCAs, which provide reliable performances even in cold temperatures. The other benefit is that the AGM batteries discharge at a slower rate than conventional wet cells because they utilize Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) design, which allows battery life to increase up to 2-3 times.