Signs it's the battery
- A clicking sound when you turn the key
- Dim dash lights or headlights
- The engine cranks slowly, then stops
- Lights were left on, or the car sat for a week or more
If the engine cranks strongly but won't fire, it's probably not the battery, and a tow to a shop is the better call.
Why batteries die in Wisconsin winters
Cold weather slows the chemistry inside a battery, so it has less power right when the engine needs more to start. That's why dead batteries spike on the first cold mornings each year. A battery that's three to five years old is the most likely to fail.
After the jump
Drive for at least 20 to 30 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery, and have the battery tested at a parts store or shop. If the car won't start again after the jump, we can tow it to your mechanic.