For some people, especially those with older car batteries, starting the engine may be a challenge. It may take more than one try and patience. You might wonder why that is. Today, we will go over why the colder weather makes it harder to start cars.
To understand the “whys”, you should start by understanding how the standard car battery works. It comprises water, sulfuric acid, and other metallic plates that hold it together. Batteries have cells, which are where electrical power currents are created. On average, a car battery produces a total of 12.8 volts to start your engine.
One of the main reasons why batteries struggle in the winter is because the cold causes the chemicals inside the batteries to produce less current. Furthermore, the battery’s capacity can be limited as a result. When you mix these qualities with an old battery, it can become a nightmare to start your car on those brisk mornings. At I-70 Auto Service, we recommend that customers replace their batteries every 3 to 5 years.
How To Prevent the Trouble
Just as you’d expect, we recommend keeping the battery warmer in the winter. If possible, parking your vehicle in a covered garage can help. There are also products on the market, such as battery blankets, that can insulate the battery and protect it from the cold’s damaging effects. Last but not least, avoid burning out your battery. Incidents like accidentally leaving your headlights on or leaving the car doors open can kill your battery over time.
If you are having issues with starting your vehicle this season, we welcome you to stop by I-70 Auto Service for a battery test. We can perform a thorough inspection along with the test to ensure your car battery has enough power to last.