How to Start Cold Car Battery
Frigid weather can wreak havoc on a car's battery. Cold temperatures slow the chemical reaction in the car's battery, thus reducing its power output. But there are a few tricks you can use to not only start a cold car battery, but to prevent it from losing its charge again in bitterly cold temperatures. You may need someone to help you with a jump start--you'll need their vehicle, anyway.
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Things You'll Need
- Baking soda
- Distilled soft water
- Trickle charger
- Floor heater
- Jumper cables
Instructions
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Clean the battery to correct slow chemical reaction resistance. Wash the battery's case with baking soda and distilled, soft water to remove corrosion. Corrosion and dirt can drain the battery by conducting current from the positive to the negative terminal or to the chassis.
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2
Place a heater 2 to 3 feet from the battery to heat it up. Allow the battery to warm for 15 to 30 minutes before trying to start the car.
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Attach a trickle charger to heat and recharge the battery at the same time. Set the charger to the voltage and amperage appropriate for your battery, which should be listed on the charger. Connect the black clip to the negative battery terminal and the red clip to the positive terminal, then plug the charger in to an electrical source. Charge until the battery is full or the trickle automatically shuts off.
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Charge a cold, drained battery using jumper cables attached to the battery in a vehicle that's operating. Connect one red cable clip to the positive terminal and one black clip to the negative terminal, then attach the other set of cables to the operational battery. Run the other vehicle for five minutes, then start your car. If it starts up, don't turn it off right away--drive around for a half-hour so the battery will charge up more. If it doesn't start, get a new battery.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the battery's electrolyte level and test the specific gravity with a hydrometer if it's cold.
Set a heater next to the battery at night if the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a wool blanket over the engine to keep the battery and engine warm.
For extremely cold temperatures, invest in a battery insulator, a battery case with a self-regulated, thermostat-controlled heating element to keep the battery warm overnight.
