We are experiencing record cold temperatures. If you are not accustomed to dealing with the extreme cold here are some tips; dress in layers, wear a warm hat and gloves, cover your face with a scarf or mask. Remember, it only takes a few minutes for frost bite to start.
Your car does not like the cold anymore than you do. Extreme cold can drain the battery of much of its cranking power. If your battery is completely dead, you probably need to replace it especially if it is more than 3 years old. Do Not try to jump start it until you have checked to see if it is frozen. To do that, just pop the caps to see if there is ice in the battery. If you try to jump start a frozen battery it might explode. It used to be that you could remove a frozen battery, bring it in to a warm place to thaw, then put it back in the car and then jump start it. That is no longer recommended because removing the battery interferes with the various computer systems on newer cars and can actually cause harm. If the battery on your car is dead or if it is cracked, you should just bite the bullet and replace it.
If your car will not start, but the battery is not completely dead, you can try jump starting it. Place the car that starts facing the dead car. Turn off the engine of that car and turn off everything in both cars that runs off the battery like the headlights, radio, heater, wipers, etc. Before you begin connecting the jumper cables, put on eye protection and gloves to protect yourself from sparks or under the worse case scenario a battery explosion. And, stand on the side of the car for the same reason. Connect the positive or red cable to positive or red terminal on the dead battery. Next, connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the good battery. Connect the black or negative cable to the negative terminal on the good battery. Connect the other end to a metal ground on the engine or non-painted part of the frame of the dead car. Do Not connect it to the negative terminal on the dead battery since the spark might ignite the hydrogen fumes in the battery causing it to explode. Then, start the car with the good battery and rev the engine for a couple of minutes to charge the dead battery. Then, start the other car. If it starts, remove the cables. Be sure not to touch the ends of the cables to each other or to any metal on the cars as they will spark.
Once you get the car started, let it run for 20 to 30 minutes to fully charge the battery. Do not just drive away thinking everything is okay. You do not want to have the car die on you in this extreme cold weather. Turn off the engine and try to restart it. If it starts with no problems, you are probably good to go. If it does not start, it is time to get some help as your problem may be the alternator.
Author Resource:
Karen Campese is the Co-founder and CEO of Cars4Charities, a not for profit car donation center. They have over 1,000 respected charities that you can donate car to. When you donate your car , you get a tax deduction and help a good cause.
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