Can Cold Weather Affect Your Car Battery?

It's a question that many drivers find themselves asking when the weather gets chilly: Can cold weather affect your car battery? We talked to our team of expert technicians at Prestige Subaru to find the answer, so we can keep you informed -- and your car running smoothly no matter what the weather conditions may be.

Want to know more about your car battery and how it can be affected by cold weather? Then read on to learn all about it! Whether you're driving through Asheville, Johnson City, Spruce Pine, and Hendersonville, you're going to love these helpful facts!

Cold Weather And Car Batteries

Cold weather is no friend to your car battery. Dramatic changes in the weather (such as extreme heat or extreme cold) can cause your battery to increase its rate of discharge. During the colder months, those low temperatures can make the chemical reactions in your battery slow down significantly.

This can end up leaving you with a sluggish battery, or one that doesn't work at all. And keep in mind, blasting the heat to keep warm (including defrosting your car) puts a strain on the system as well, which can add up to a battery in need of support.

Signs Your Battery Is Being Affected By The Cold Weather

So how do you know if the cold weather is affecting your battery? Luckily, there are a few ways to determine whether your battery is having a rough winter. Read on to see the signs of a struggling battery. If any of these issues arise, be sure to contact our service center to schedule an appointment.

Battery Age: If your battery is three years old or even older, keep an eye on it when the temperature drops. Older batteries are more likely to be impacted by weather changes.

Slow Engine: Does your engine seem to take a long time to get going? If those cold winter mornings are off to a slow start, your battery could be the culprit. A sluggish battery requires more energy to get going -- which adds up to an engine that's slow to start.

Strange Noises: When you start your car, listen closely. If you pick up on any grinding or clicking sounds when you start the ignition, it might be a good idea to see how your battery is holding up.

Dim Headlights: Believe it or not, your headlights can provide a big clue as to whether your battery is withstanding  the winter weather. If you notice that your headlights dim when the car is idling, but brighten back up after the engine is revved, it could be due to a battery that's on the verge of failure.

Visit Our Service Center Today

We hope you learned some useful information about how weather can affect your car battery. Have some more questions, or think your battery needs a little extra TLC? That's where we come in.

Our team at Prestige Subaru is expertly trained to handle any issues your vehicle may have. Whether your car battery needs attention, or you just need routine maintenance, we're on hand to help! We've helped drivers from Asheville, Johnson City, Spruce Pine, and Hendersonville and we can't wait to help you too!