3 Signs It’s Time to Replace the Car Battery to Combat Frigid Winter Temps

Right now, the temperature outside with the wind chill has dipped to a dangerous low. The frigid January air not only takes a toll on us, but also on our vehicles. Vehicles left out in sub-zero temperatures may have difficulty starting. That’s because when it’s really cold outside, a car battery can lose half of its power!

The battery is comprised of chemicals that spark electrons. When battery components don’t have enough movement to fire up those electrons, the car won’t start. Cold weather in particular can slow down those chemical reactions, so the battery needs to use more energy to get the engine going—that’s that slow cranking sound the vehicle makes when it’s really cold outside!

A car battery may work after a jump start, but who wants to have to jump the battery every time the cold weather moves into town! Here are some signs that it may be time to replace your car battery:

• your lights are dim while the car is idling, but they brighten up when you rev the engine.

• the vehicle takes too long to start up when you crank it; and

• the car battery is more than three years old.

If your car battery is more than three years old, Westboro Toyota recommends scheduling a service appointment so one of our factory-trained technicians can evaluate its performance, clean the posts, check for corrosion on any of the connections and replace the old battery with a new one if necessary.

And, when it’s time for your regular factory scheduled maintenance or other minor repairs, contact Westboro Toyota to book your Express Maintenance appointment for your Toyota and Scion vehicles. It’s quick, easy and cost-effective. Using a pit-crew approach, our talented team of service technicians will provide you with accurate, rapid and superior service, which includes:

• Oil and filter change

• Brake inspection

• Tire rotation

• Fluids inspection and replenishment

• Multipoint vehicle inspection

Call Westboro Toyota today at 888.336.4725 to schedule your Express Maintenance appointment or book service 24/7 online.