Dead Car Battery in a North Jersey Cold Snap? What to Do

It happens every year: the first truly cold morning in Lyndhurst, Kearny or Clifton, and half the block is outside listening to engines go click-click-click. The battery that seemed fine in October suddenly can't start the car. Here's why, and how to stay ahead of it.

Why the cold is so hard on batteries

A car battery makes power through a chemical reaction, and cold slows that reaction down. On a freezing morning the battery simply delivers less power than it did on a mild day.

At the same time, the engine needs more power to start. Cold oil is thicker, so the starter has to work harder to turn the engine over. Less supply, more demand: that's why a battery that was getting tired over the summer finally quits on the first cold snap.

Signs your battery is on its way out

• The engine cranks slowly, especially on cold mornings
• Dash lights dim or flicker while you start the car
• You've had to jump it once already this season
• The battery is older than three or four years (check the date sticker on top)
• White or blue crust on the terminals
• The car sits for days at a time, or you only make short trips

If you notice two or more of these, have the battery tested before the next cold front, not after.

Street parking makes it worse

In Jersey City, Newark, Harrison and Passaic, a lot of cars live on the street all winter. A car parked outside takes the full overnight cold, and wind makes it worse. If you can't park in a garage:

• Drive at least 20-30 minutes a couple of times a week, not just around the block. Short trips use more battery than they put back.
• Turn off headlights, heated seats, the rear defroster and the radio before you shut the car off, so they're not pulling power at the next start.
• Unplug chargers and dash cams that stay on when the car is off.

What to do when it won't start

1. Don't keep cranking. Long, repeated attempts drain what's left and heat up the starter. Try a few short attempts with a pause between them.
2. Turn everything off: lights, heater fan, radio. Then try once more.
3. Listen. A rapid clicking usually points to a weak battery. One single click, or no sound with bright dash lights, can point to the starter or a connection instead.
4. Call for a jump start. We bring the equipment and connect it correctly. See our jump start service for what a jump can and can't fix.
5. If it dies again, the battery or charging system needs a shop. We can tow it to your mechanic.

Getting ready before the next cold front

• Get the battery tested. Many auto parts stores and shops test batteries for free. A test shows how much life is left, not just whether it starts today.
• Clean the terminals. Corrosion blocks power. A wire brush and a baking-soda-and-water mix do the job (wear gloves and eye protection).
• Check that the clamps are tight. A loose clamp acts just like a dead battery.
• Replace an old battery on your schedule, not in a parking lot at 6 AM.

Keep a small winter kit in the car

A phone charger, gloves, a hat, a blanket, an ice scraper and a flashlight. If you're waiting for help on a cold morning, you'll be glad they're there.

Car won't start this morning? Call Itowza Towing at (866) 292-2564 or request help online and tell us where the car is parked.