Why cold weather stops cars
Cold slows the chemical reaction inside the battery, so it delivers less power at the moment the thickened oil makes the engine harder to turn over. A battery that was borderline in the fall often fails on the first hard freeze.
What to try
Work through these before calling for help.
- Turn off lights, heat, radio and chargers
- Crank for a few seconds at a time, then rest a minute
- Check the battery terminals for corrosion or a loose clamp
- If it clicks or cranks slowly, call for a jump start
- If it cranks normally but will not catch, the problem is fuel or spark, not the battery
Stop it happening again
Have the battery tested before winter. YBE does jump starts and mobile battery replacement around Capitol Heights, and tests the battery and charging system on the spot.
Need This Fixed?
YBE handles this at the Capitol Heights shop, seven days a week. Read about Jump-Start Service, or call and describe what your car is doing.
Further Reading
Background on the parts and systems described above.