Is your car's battery energized?

As the temperature decreases, so does your car's battery power. At zero degrees fahrenheit, it produces less than fifty percent of its power.

Unfortunately, it is also during the cold months that your vehicles engine oil gets thicker and the engine becomes "stiffer" requiring more power from your battery.

Don't panic, a fully charged battery will dependably start your vehicle even functioning at 50% of its capacity. The problem comes when your battery is not fully charged to begin with. In warm weather, an old or inefficient battery may function fine, however as the temperatures fall, it may not have the power to consistently start your vehicle.

If your vehicle hesitates when you turn the key, is slow in turning over, or is over 5 years old, it may be a good time to have your battery tested. The technician will use a load test machine to determine if your battery provides adequate voltage for your vehicle during "overload" conditions. This can be done very quickly and inexpensively at an automotive repair facility.

Article by Brian Banfield, Express Auto Finance and Service