Your Car’s Battery Is Vulnerable to the Coming Cold Weather

How Does Cold Weather Affect a Car’s Battery?

Winter is coming to Ontario. It happens every year, and it still seems to catch a fair number of people off guard. With that in mind, the team working in the Cambridge Centre Honda Service Department would like to remind you to take a look at your car battery before the temperature drops too much. So, how does cold weather affect a car’s battery? There are a couple of factors at play that drivers should be aware of before we start having to dress in layers. Let’s take a look at the information our team put together.

READ MORE: Find Genuine Honda Parts at Cambridge Centre Honda

Does Cold Weather Reduce a Battery’s Ability?

The battery that powers various systems in your car, truck or SUV uses a chemical reaction to produce the necessary electricity. Temperatures at or below freezing can slow this process and reduce the battery’s ability to turn the starter motor. The drop in battery capacity can be as much as 35 percent in some cases.

Slower Charging Cycle

Sub-freezing temperatures make everything more difficult. That includes putting additional strain on the system responsible for recharging your car’s battery while you’re driving. If a battery has already met its lifecycle end, it might end up leaving you stranded because it simply doesn’t have the juice to get the engine started.

How To Tell If a Car Battery Is Going Bad

There are a couple of ways to tell if a car’s battery is nearing the end of its useful lifecycle. The likely first thing you’ll notice is that the vehicle has a hard time starting. You may also notice that the vehicle’s interior lights and dashboard illumination are not as bright as normal.

If you need some assistance ensuring your car, truck or SUV is ready to handle anything winter has to throw at it, make an appointment with the Cambridge Honda Service Department.