Tech Toolbox: Your Car Battery and Cold Weather

After the drowsy pleas to your alarm clock have produced little results and the coffee has been doctored up close to the octane rating of aviation fuel, it’s off to start your day. However, starting your vehicle may not be as simple if the battery has succumbed to the chilling effects of late fall.

With the exception of hybrid vehicles, most vehicles power their electrical system with a lead acid battery. A lead acid battery is made up of six cells consisting of two plates – one lead and one lead dioxide. These plates are suspended in a solution of sulfuric acid and water to form a galvanic cell. Chemical reactions take place in these galvanic cells resulting in the flow of electricity to your vehicle. Cold temperatures cause these chemical reactions to happen at a much slower rate, resulting in less electricity available to start your vehicle.

Batteries are also susceptible to internal short circuiting of cells. Corrosion build-up on battery connections can reduce the available amount of electricity. Also, devices that draw current when they fail to shut down create a constant parasitic drain on a battery.

No one, not even an experienced technician, wants to begin his morning by untangling jumper cables. So how can we prevent this? Methods of battery testing and diagnosis have evolved over the years from the primitive to the futuristic. Everett’s Certified Service & Tire Center is equipped with the latest starting and charging system testers.

Come by and see our knowledgeable service staff for a free battery inspection and test. From corrosion to internal problems, our Certified Service experts have the experience to identify and fix all that ails your battery.

David Gibbs
Certified Service Technician
Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC