cold weather Is Coming: What Alberta Fleets Need to Know About Battery Health
As temperatures drop across Alberta, batteries are among the first components to struggle on trucks, trailers, and heavy equipment. Cold weather reduces starting power, slows charging, and quickly exposes weak batteries.
If your fleet operates in Nisku, Edmonton, or anywhere in Northern Alberta, now is the time to make sure your batteries are ready for winter.
How Cold Weather Affects Batteries
Batteries rely on internal chemical reactions to produce power. In cold weather, those reactions slow down — reducing available cranking amps just when engines need more power to start.
Here’s what that means on the job:
Less Starting Power
At –18°C, a battery can lose up to 40% of its capacity. If it’s already weak, it may not start your engine at all.
Slower Charging
Cold batteries take longer to recharge, especially in trucks or equipment that run short cycles.
Increased Wear & Tear
Frequent low-temperature starts put strain on internal components and shorten battery life.
Vibration Damage
Frozen roads and work sites increase vibration, which can loosen connections or damage older batteries.
Signs Your Battery May Fail Soon
Watch for these early warning signs:
Slow or delayed cranking
Dim headlights or fluctuating electronics
The battery or charging light on the dashboard
Hard starts after sitting overnight
Batteries older than 3 years (or 2 years for heavy-duty cycles)
If you notice any of these, a winter battery test is a smart move.
How to Reduce Battery Problems This Winter
A few simple steps can greatly reduce cold-weather failures:
✔ Get Your Batteries Tested
A load test helps identify weak batteries before they leave a unit stranded.
✔ Check the Charging System
Alternators, grounds, and cables are as important as the battery itself.
✔ Clean and Tighten All Connections
Corrosion increases resistance and reduces starting power.
✔ Limit Unnecessary Electrical Load
Block heaters, lights, and accessories add strain — especially on a cold morning.
✔ Keep Equipment Active
Long idle periods in freezing temperatures accelerate drain and sulfation.
IRON 5 Battery Services
IRON 5 Equipment & Repair Ltd. provides full battery support for trucks, trailers, and heavy equipment, including:
Battery testing
Charging system diagnostics
Battery replacements (including Canada Proof™ Batteries)
On-site service at your yard or jobsite
Whether you need a winter-readiness check or a full replacement, our technicians ensure your units keep running when the cold sets in.
Stay Ahead of the Cold
A failed battery can take a truck or piece of equipment out of service at the worst possible time. Getting ahead of winter with a quick inspection helps avoid breakdowns, delays, and preventable downtime.
Book your battery test or replacement today.
Call 587-402-6665 or visit IRON5.ca to schedule service.