Chris Roadside Service & Tow

Why do car batteries go dead in Georgia’s cold weather?

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Towing Service and Roadside Assistance Norcross GA - Call anytime: ​(770) 766-5758

  Everyone knows that cold weather is a battery killer.

Dead batteries in the cold weather are one of the biggest reason for towing calls for our business.

Most of the questions we are getting when going out to a dead battery service call are:

  • How can the cold weather affect my car battery?
  • Do batteries die faster in the cold?
  • Why do car batteries die?
  • Do batteries expire if not used?
  • What can drain the battery in a car?
  • What do you do if your car battery dies?
  • What keeps draining my battery?
  • How long does it take to recharge a car battery?
  • How can you tell if a battery is good or not?
  • How long do you need to run your car to recharge the battery?
  • How do you know if your car needs a new battery?
  • How long should I drive to charge my battery?
  • How long does it take to trickle charge a dead battery?
  • Is my car batterie dead?
  • How long is a car battery supposed to last?
  • Can you jump a car with a dead battery?
  • Who can I call for a jump start?
  • Can you jump start an automatic car?
  • Can a bad battery cause your car to shut off?

  • Both summer and winter weather are taking a toll in the life of your cars battery.

    Even if some studies show that hot weather is the one that affecting your vehicles battery life more, the cold weather can do significant damage too.

       The acid batterie is design to work in a wide variety of temperatures but never less the capacity drops 20% in the freezing weather and almost 50% when temperatures hit -22 F

    When you start your vehicle, the starter requires twice as much power to start in the cold than normal. With a new battery this would be an easy process. But for a one that is already a long way in its life, it can be difficult in the winter.

    Even if a battery isn’t that old and its performance is not affected by its age, cold temperatures can affect it even if it’s a brand-new one, if the temperature is so low that it can’t handle the demands of the starter motor.

    When checking for the CCA which shows you how much amperage can the battery put out in cold weather, look for the ones that have a higher number. If the number is high, the battery is equipped to handle more operations and perform better in the winter.

    ​​So why do car batteries die?

    The over use of headlights, windshield wipers because of the winter driving, always-on electronic devices, upgraded audio, GPS devices smartphones always plugged in the vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket can put a high strain on your vehicles battery.

      Important things you can do to prevent your battery from dying on you is keeping it fully charged. A weak battery will start to freeze at 32F while a fully charged one at -76F. Also checking your battery load tested, the electrolyte and the connections checked for corrosion signs will go long way.

      Keep in mind that the lifespan of a battery is between 3-5 years, but with the constant use of electronics, the numbers hit the lower range, so make sure you keep track of the age of your battery to avoid any surprises when you list expecting it.

      Cleaning and testing the batteries, also limiting the use of electronic devices when your car is stopped. This will help with keeping your batteries life longer. Even if your vehicle is stopped, the power clock, the alarm and other accessories like your cell phone will continue to run with the help of your battery.

      Making sure that the battery terminals and cables are securely attached and free of corrosion will also keep the life of your batterie longer.

      Before the cold weather starts, it is recommended that you take your car to a qualified electrician. He can perform a test to determine if your vehicle’s battery is ready for the winter.

      There are several warning signs that let you know your battery is getting closer to its last days. You can read all about them here.

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    Chris Roadside Service & Tow
    Norcross, GA 30071
    770-766-5758
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