At What Low Temperature Does White Lithium Grease Become Ineffective

Updated 01/31/2021 | Published 01/21/2014

Question:

At what temperature below zero does this grease become ineffective?

asked by: John L

Helpful Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Lubrimatic about white lithium grease # L11354. He said for that grease the low temperature that it would still be effective is 0 degrees F. For colder temperatures the best option is the biobased white lithium grease # L11354 good for 40 degrees F below zero.

expert reply by: Michael H

Nancy M.

2/20/2020

I have had a problem with my car battery this winter. Every time the temp goes below zero I have to jump start the car the next day. One days when its above zero the car starts. Ive had the battery checked out and they say its good. I dont drive long distances just around town. I wonder if the grease they put on my posts when I got my battery in August was the kind that is not effective below zero. I mentioned it to the auto store where I had the battery installed and they said that all of that grease is made to withstand all temperatures and it couldnt be the problem. I believe after seeing your comment where you say that there is a kind that is only effective to zero and another that is effective to 40 below zero, that they put the less effective kind on my posts and thats why my car will only start when the temp is above 0. Does that make sense to you?

Chris R.

2/21/2020

I suppose the wrong kind of grease could cause issues, but I doubt it would create such a problem that the battery needs to be jumped every time the temperature drops below zero. I feel like even jump starting the car would be a challenge if this was the case. My honest advice would be to bring the car up to a different shop to have them test the battery. This scenario just screams bad battery and I really can't think of something else that would cause this.

Bill

1/31/2021

@NancyM is the car a Saturn? The ignition switches were installed with the wrong grease causing this problem

Nancy M.

2/21/2020

Thanks Chris for your response. I will take your advice and take it somewhere else and have it tested. I wonder if those handheld battery testers you buy online would work. Ive seen those with the little clamps and it has lights that tell if the battery and the alternator are good or bad. I appreciate your response. Thank you.

Chris R.

2/23/2020

A tester might be a good solution. With the type of issue you described though I think a full diagnostics at local shop is your best/safest route though.