# Battery dead every two weeks in winter **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 20, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-dead-every-two-weeks-in-winter/78813 "2013-04-20T14:22:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JudithMC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ea5d25/32.png) [@JudithMC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JudithMC)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-dead-every-two-weeks-in-winter/78813/1 "2013-04-20T14:22:35Z")
Since 4 years we have a Mercedes S 55 AMG 2001 which was given to us by a friend. Since the beginning he had electricity problems. The car leaks electricity somewhere. In the beginning it was full of gadgets: fax-machine, fridge, DVD and TV player etc. We took all of that out. In the winter it is much worse - every three weeks the battery is empty. We had it checked and checked and no one can find the problem. I have a theory now (completely clueless about cars): could it be that the seat warmers use more electricity in winter than the car can produce if we mostly drive only short distances? ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-dead-every-two-weeks-in-winter/78813/2 "2013-04-20T15:32:02Z")
Is this the same battery since you got the car 4 years ago? Batteries typically have a 4 year lifespan, and they become suspect after that. Having problems in winter cinches it. Batteries have less efficiency in cooler temps, and a weak battery will be worse in winter. Replace the battery if it hasn’y been done yet. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-dead-every-two-weeks-in-winter/78813/3 "2013-04-20T15:48:48Z")
In addition to what BustedKnuckles mentioned, I want to point out that the electrical resistance of the seat heaters is such that they do consume a very large amount of electrical energy. Driving a car for only very short distances in the winter will take its toll on any **battery** , but this is particularly hard on a battery that is aging. Then, if you throw in the use of accessories that draw a lot of electrical energy, you have the perfect storm for winding up with a battery that cannot hold a charge. In addition to the probability of needing a new battery, the OP needs to connect a Trickle Charger to the battery during its periods of non-use. And, I hope that the OP realizes that driving a car for only very short distances in the winter will take a severe toll on both the engine and the exhaust system also. A **battery** is relatively cheap, but having to replace an engine in a Benz is incredibly expensive, and if the engine is accumulating damaging oil sludge–as I envision that it is–engine failure may well be the next challenge that the OP will face. The way to prevent sludge-related engine failure is to change the oil at least every 6 months, no matter how few miles have been driven in that period of time. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-dead-every-two-weeks-in-winter/78813/4 "2013-04-20T18:42:38Z")
Guess there was a reason for it being a gift.I would think about passing it on. IMHO, there will be more issues that no one can find a fix for.