Here at Ferrel's Garage we have been having an increased amount of phone calls about vehicles not starting, turning over slowly and just plain turn the key and nothing but the sound of a quick click. All symptoms of a weak or dead battery.
You maybe asking, so why does a battery fail in such cold weather? The answer is that the chemical process inside the battery to get the electrical current going is reduced and causes a slower reaction. The capability of a battery is reduced over time as the chemicals inside breakdown. Therefore an older and weaker battery will have less capability and less current produced in cold temperatures, which can not be enough to start the engine of the vehicle. A new battery will be able to have more current and amps, allowing the engine to start.
I would like to take this time to also stress the importance of a good battery in newer vehicles. The conception that the alternator charges the battery and powers the car is not true anymore. The sole purpose of the alternator is to maintain the battery. The battery of a vehicle is the electrical heart of the car. It powers and maintains all the fun electrical gadgets, options, body control modules and engine computers of the car. So when the heart gets weak, the alternator works overtime and becomes stressed out. Eventually it becomes so stressed out from being over worked it quits. (This may sound familiar to you if you think of your own personal job.) You can help prevent replacing an alternator by replacing the battery once it has become weak and/or old.
If you have questions about your battery or batteries in general, then please give us a call at 585-454-5649.
- Clint Ferrel