Does cold weather affect battery life?

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Level 1

110 points

Does cold weather affect battery life?

I have a 4th gen iPod Touch. During most of the year, temperatures here are between 70 - 95. However, during the winter, temps get into the teens and sometimes single digits (mostly at night though). I keep my iPod Touch plugged into my car's USB. This has been working fine but it seems with the colder temps that I'm always finding the iPod Touch dead - battery drained. Is this likely because of the cold weather?

I Just started today leaving it in the house to see if there is any difference.

Posted on Dec 6, 2011 2:05 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 6, 2011 2:09 PM in response to 4thSpace

Do mean you leave it outside at night plugged into the car? That is taking the unit outside the recommended operating temperature range Apple gives. Cold and heat, outside the recommended range will degrade battery performance. You would be better off bringing it in at night so it stays in a normal operating temperature range.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Dec 6, 2011 2:14 PM in response to 4thSpace

My guess is that with the car turned of, the USB port in the car is also off. Apple says:

On Playing It Cool

You may find that playing an iPod or using an iPhone or iPad in a very cold environment decreases battery life. Unlike the effects of a hot environment, this is a temporary condition. Once molecules in the battery warm up, the battery will return to its previous capacity.

DId you recently update to iOS 5? Some usrs have reported that the battery life is shorter after the update when sleeping. Do you turn the iPod off (Power off) or just let it go to sleep?

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