Winter: The Car Battery Killer

It’s 7:00 a.m. on a frigid winter morning. You brace yourself for the bitter chill as you head out the door, knowing you only have to endure it for a few minutes until you get the heat cranked up in your car. So, you quickly jump in, shut the door, and press the ignition, only to be greeted by a cold, unwelcomed silence that can only mean one thing: a dead battery.

Freezing temperatures are a frequent killer of car batteries, leaving you shivering in the driver’s seat. But is winter weather the catalyst for a dead battery?

Let’s take a look.

Old Man Winter Versus Your Car Battery

When the mercury falls, so does your car battery’s energy storage. The colder it gets, the harder your battery must work to start your engine and run the onboard electrics. And let’s face it, when it’s freezing outside, you immediately activate all the warmth resources at your disposal like the heat, heated seats, and heated steering wheel. While these accessories are marvelous, they need your battery to give them the power to perform.

Sucking Molasses Through a Straw

Cold weather causes your engine oil to thicken like molasses. The thicker the sludge, the more power your battery requires to push it through the engine. This effort takes a toll on your battery’s energy storage, especially if it’s more than three years old, or just went through a sweltering summer.

Your Battery’s Third Birthday

Has your battery reached its third birthday? If so, take advantage of your AAA member benefit and schedule a convenient car battery test with AAA Mobile Battery Service. A Battery Service Technician comes to you – at work, at home, almost anywhere – to test your battery and determine if it will last through the winter. Most batteries can be installed quickly on site, and all come with a 6-year limited warranty, including a 3-year, nationwide free replacement period.

To schedule a battery inspection, visit AAA.com/Battery or call 1-800-AAA-HELP