The Freezing Cold Weather in Texas Can Kill Your Car Battery

There is nothing worse than getting in your car and having to be somewhere and your car won't start.  Add cold weather in Texas to the equation and it's even worse.

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Once your car won't start you start going over a list of things:

• Did I leave a light on?

• Nothing is coming on so is it the battery?

• Could it be the alternator?

• Do I have jumper cables?

• My battery isn't that old?

Then comes the fun part, finding the jumper cables and another vehicle and getting a jump start.

If you live with someone then it's usually not a problem.  However, if you live alone then you have to go get help from a neighbor, call a friend, or car service.   Luckily, when you do, the car starts right up.  You have a decent drive to work so you know that should give it a good charge.  Then you worry all day if your car is gonna start when it's time to go home.  Then you start finding someone at work who can jump you if you don't.

It's a nightmare.

Nine times out of 10 it is the battery and it just needs to be replaced.  However, you know you just changed your battery not too long ago.  Unfortunately, the cold temperatures we see in parts of Texas are hurting your battery.

Did you know that your battery will lose 1/3 of its power when the weather is freezing?

When the air cools outside, the oil in the car thickens and important parts of your car move slower and the battery has to use more power to get the engine started.

How do you keep your battery from suffering in the cold weather?

• Park your car in a garage whenever possible.
• Turn off your lights, wipers, and heater before you turn off your engine at the end of a drive to prevent an unnecessary drain on the battery the next time you start your car.
• Unplug phone chargers and USB cables for devices like iPods as soon as you turn off your engine (for the same reason as #2).
• Avoid using your car’s heater longer than you need to; heaters puts extra strain on your battery.
• If you see corrosion on your battery, clean it or have it cleaned by a trained technician.

SOURCE: AAA Texas

Just like you make sure you're bundled up before you go outside in cold weather, your car battery likes to be taken care of as well.

Author's note: I have a portable battery pack (Halo), and it has been a lifesaver.  I can''t tell you how many times this thing has saved my family.   It's about the size of a paperback book. I charge it about once per month.  I keep it in my car and when my car won't start, I connect it to the battery and it boosts my car.  I have seen it boost a small compact car, a large SUV, and a big diesel truck all on one charge.  It's worth the investment.   Not only is it a great car booster, but it can be used to charge your phone, laptops, tablets, etc. when you don't have a close power source.