The Hidden Reason Winter Kills Car Batteries In Western Colorado

It's no fun turning your car key on a freezing morning in Grand Junction only to hear a click. AAA says that car batteries can lose 60% of their starting power at 0°F, even if they worked fine the day before.

Winter in Western Colorado means sub-freezing overnight lows, higher elevation, and all those short winter drives around town, and it’s no surprise that winter is peak season for dead batteries. The good news? Most winter battery failures are preventable once you understand what’s happening under the hood.

The Science of Cold Batteries — What Really Happens

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The battery wizards at CTEK Magazine say cold weather slows down the chemical reaction inside most batteries, which reduces the power they can deliver. The cold also makes the starter work harder. AAA says lots of people forget that winter doesn’t create battery issues; it exposes them. Our batteries work hard all summer. As they age and corrode, they lose efficiency. Once the temps drop below freezing, many older batteries are ready to fail.

Western Colorado’s Winter Climate — A Perfect Storm for Batteries

Did you know that big temperature swings are harder on a battery than steady cold? When the temperature drops below freezing overnight, then warms back up in the afternoon, it causes extra stress that weakens your battery components. Now add all those short winter trips we all make around town every day. Short trips mean a battery may not fully recharge. Suddenly, a battery can appear dead even when it still holds some charge.

Local Tips to Prevent Dead Batteries This Winter

AAA says test your battery regularly once it’s over three years old. As you wash your car, lift the hood and check/clean the battery terminals. As soon as your battery starts to struggle in the cold, get it tested or replaced before the big cold arrives. It’s cheaper than the roadside jump if you don’t have roadside service as part of your auto coverage.

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