How to Handle a Car Battery Won’t Start in the Cold

Winter temperatures can make it harder for your car battery to function properly. If you’ve ever turned the key or pushed the start button on a freezing morning only to hear nothing, you’re not alone. A dead car battery is a common problem in cold weather, but knowing why it happens and how to fix it can save you time and stress.

Why Cold Weather Affects Your Car Battery

Cold weather slows the chemical reactions in your car battery, making it harder to produce enough power to start your engine. In freezing weather, a fully charged battery can lose about 20% of its power, and in very cold conditions, it may lose more than half.

Other factors that make a battery too cold to start include:

• Reduced Cranking Power – The battery struggles to produce enough electricity to turn over the engine.
• Thickened Engine Oil – Cold temperatures cause engine oil to thicken, making it harder for the engine to turn over.
• Older Batteries Lose Charge Faster – If your battery is over three years old, it may not hold a charge as well in cold weather.
• Parasitic Drain – Electronics like alarms, radios, and interior lights can slowly drain your battery overnight, especially in cold weather.

If your battery won’t start in cold weather, the low temperatures may have weakened its power or made it harder for your engine to turn over.

What to Do If You Can’t Start Your Vehicle 

If your car doesn’t start on a cold morning, here’s what you can do:

1. Turn Off All Accessories – Turn off your headlights, heater, and radio before trying again to ease the load on the battery.
2. Try Again After a Few Minutes – If your battery is too weak to start the car at first, waiting a few minutes may help it recover some power.
3. Jump-Start the Battery – Use jumper cables and another vehicle to give your battery the boost it needs. If you don’t have access to another car, a portable jump starter can help.
4. Check the Battery Terminals – Corrosion or loose connections can prevent the battery from working properly. If necessary, clean the terminals and tighten the connections.
5. Warm Up the Battery – If possible, park your car in a garage or use a battery warmer to help restore its function.
6. Replace an Old Battery – If your battery is over three years old and has trouble in cold weather, it might be time to replace it.

Checking your battery’s charge before winter and keeping up with regular maintenance can help prevent it from failing in freezing weather.

Find Affordable Replacement Batteries at Aero Auto Parts

If your vehicle battery keeps dying and leaving you stuck, Aero Auto Parts offers quality replacement batteries at affordable prices. Don’t let the cold leave you stranded—call us today or visit our Chicago location to find the right battery for your engine!