Why cold kills batteries

Low temperatures slow the chemical reaction inside a battery and thicken your engine oil, so the starter has to work harder with less available power. A weak battery that limped through fall often gives up in deep cold.

Simple checks before the freeze

  • Have the battery load-tested in the fall
  • Clean corrosion off the terminals and cables
  • Make sure the charging system is keeping up
  • Replace a battery that's more than 4 to 5 years old

Watch for the warning signs

Slow cranking, dimming lights, and a battery light on the dash are all signs that you're living on borrowed time. It's far cheaper to swap a battery in your driveway than to deal with a no-start in a frozen parking lot.

Get it checked at home

A mobile mechanic can test your battery and charging system at your house before winter sets in, and replace the battery on the spot if it's weak. No appointment at a shop, no standing in the cold.