Going into colder weather - should I get a new battery?

I am going to be taking a trip into the Midwest at the end of next week and the high there is supposed to be @ 17 degrees. I still have the stock battery in my truck so should I get a new battery before I head into the colder weather?

 

I’m still on my stock battery from 2017. Live in Alaska and winters are harder here so I don’t think you will have a problem.

 

Could always give it a charge if you have one? Fairly cheap for a decent charger, or have it tested?

 

I just found out that the radio tech here at my work has a fancy battery testing device. I will put it on that and see what is says. I also have one of the lithium re-chargeable jump starters so I should be good. I didn't know how good the factory batteries on these truck are.

 

If your battery tests out fine, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I have a an interstate thats about 3 years old maybe. Maybe 2.5 (going into 3rd winter now). I drained it about 3 weeks ago leaving a light bar on overnight and jumped it and drove it for about an hour or so to "recharge" . We had -25F over the weekend. Took a little extra oomph but started fine and haven't had an issue from 0-20F the past week.

YMMV

 

I did mine when it was 5 years old. I figured I didn't want to push it any further and I was on the downhill slide of it anyway. Been stranded before in the cold with a no start. It was no fun, Iowa wind chill is no joke.

 

Invest in a battery maintainer, or carry a portable jumper box with you. Always useful, if not for your own truck, a buddy who might need some help.

 

Everyone thinks Cold weather is what kills a battery but that's incorrect. Its the heat in the summer that cooks batteries!

 

Cold weather decreases a batteries effective cranking amps. That’s why they specifically list a cold cranking amp metric. A battery still performing well in the summer May fail to perform in the winter when the temps drop. Hence the OP’s question. And yes, heat, vibration and over discharging kill most lead acid batteries. As others have said, test your batteries current capacity and if it tests well, go for it. If it doesn’t, replace it. Most of my OEM batteries have given me 5 or 6 years of service. Aftermarket, not so much. Lucky to get 5. Unless you go fancy high dolla.

 

The AZ heat here is really tough on batteries and some people only get 2-3 years out of them.

 

I just tested my battery and it came out 100% and GOOD. It is a Super Start 24f size with 750 CCA which surprised me since I thought the larger 27 size would have a higher CCA rating.

 

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For severely cold weather, you can use battery blanket/warmers. Would be applicable if it is cold enough (below -10F regularly). Also, if you have a wet (lead/acid) battery, pop the caps, top off with distilled water and desulfate it on a fixed schedule.

Very true, but cold can wreak havoc on batteries very quickly if the charging system is not working correctly. A neighbor down the street thinks I an too anal about things like block heaters, preventive maint before crap happens. Seems like every other year he has one of his cars towed back on a -20 day because the battery wasn't fully charged and frozen solid.

 

I also found a date code on my current battery of 5/21 so I am hopefully good. I also picked up one of the lithium battery jump starters to carry with me and I always carry extra food, clothes, sleeping bag and other supplies when in Iowa in the winter.

 

Have the battery checked if you are worried. I just had an AC Delco 770CCA battery test at 500 CCA with a date code of 3/21, on the diesel I picked up this summer.

 

It's always good to be prepared for anything!

Don't forget water too.

 

Dats Right^

 

update: last Monday it was -17 degrees in Iowa and the truck started just fine with my current stock battery. It whined and groaned a bit starting up and took about 20 min to warm up the cab.

 

Poor Tundra needs a block heater

 

I think you will be good to go.

Will you have any chance of putting a battery tender on it once in Iowa??

Remember to always turn off the fan to the heater, heated seats off, any extra lighting while you are cranking to start.

Drains too much with all those electrics on.

 

What part did you end up coming back to?

 

My wife and I went back to Pella in SE Iowa. I was raised there and then spent 25 years living in Oskaloosa. I was able to have Caseys pizza one evening and I purchased $150 in beef to bring back with me. I really miss the "Iowa nice" attitudes there.

 

I just had mine crap out on me after 3 1/2 years, running an interstate now, following day hit 23 degrees in Florida. Hopefully I'm ok. From what I've been reading Interstate is ok, sure as hell not putting in a Northstar, I cant justify spending over 300 for a battery no matter how good it is.

 

Nice. Go down that way for deer hunting. Stay at the Eddyville Inn. Even though I live here I tend to over indulge in the Casey's pizza. I love it when people not from around here hear about the breakfast pizza and are all WTF? Then once they try it are all, that was damn good.

 

Mine died on me last week. Ironic after I read my past response on here lol

2 years and 3 months and at 35k miles.

@IowaGuy Mine would need jump started after it sat overnight now that it's been under 20 degrees F out. Didn't do it every day but random. Warranty covered for mine.

 

Interstates warranty is 3 years, will see.