I have always lived in colder areas. I every time I get a new battery get the most powerful one I can figure how to get in the vehicle. With that said I personally only had one ride with a heater as its never super cold here not much more then -20F here. I do how ever put a small electric heater under the motor when it is going to be under -15F or so and it helps alot. The old light under the hood works ok better then nothing as well. If your living where it will get colder then -15F for some time I would get block a heater. O and yes a 1 year old battery can go bad as well... I have used battery warranties a few times.