Checked Your Battery?: Cold weather in St. Louis drains batteries

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Not even First Alert 4 could escape the cold weather impacts on cars today. The very low temperatures have put a strain on car batteries around Missouri, including some news vehicles.

Indy Motorsports of St. Louis gave us some helpful tips about batteries -- and how to protect yourself from cold weather and dead batteries. First, is to replace batteries that are too old -- any over three years. Second, get a pro to test your battery health -- if it’s too low, it won’t have the power to start the car.

Some other things to keep in mind, according to experts, prepare for the worst. Keep cold weather clothes, water, food and spare equipment in your car. Unplug anything that puts extra strain on your vehicle -- like USB charging chords or GPS machines.

Some tips from AAA for protecting your battery from the cold:

Check battery and charging systems

Local experts and AAA information say that a fully charged battery, under five years old, is the best way to make sure you get your car to turn on in cold weather.

“Have your battery and charging system checked for optimum performance – particularly if your battery is more than three years old,“ AAA says. ”Also, clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections; wipe away dirt and oil deposits on the case and make sure all hardware is secure."

Indy Motorsports in St. Charles tells First Alert 4 that many local independent car shops can check your battery quickly and for free, and if they find trouble -- they can help diagnosis it right away.

AAA’s Warning Signs

• Your car doesn’t start immediately or clicks when you turn the key.
• Your headlights are dim.

What You Can Do

AAA says there are a number of options:

1. If your battery is three years or older, have the battery checked by a professional to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather.
   1. AAA can request a visit from a AAA mobile battery service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary.
   2. Facilities also test and replace batteries. Nearby locations can be found at AAA.com/autorepair.
2. Park your car in a garage whenever possible. The less frigid the air is around your car, the better for your battery.
3. Turn off your lights, wipers, and heater before you turn off your engine at the end of a drive to prevent an unnecessary drain on the battery the next time you start your car.
4. Unplug phone chargers and USB cables for devices as soon as you turn off your engine (for the same reason as #2).
5. Avoid using your car’s heater longer than you need to; heaters puts extra strain on your battery.
6. If you see corrosion on your battery, clean it or have it cleaned by a trained technician.

One last thing: keep a heavy blanket in your trunk during winter. If you ever break down and can’t use your heater in freezing weather, you’ll need it to keep warm until help arrives. For AAA’s complete Winter Care Checklist, visit AAA.com.

Avery Martinez covers water, ag & the environment for First Alert 4. He is also a Report for America corps member, as well as a member of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. His coverage goes from corn farms to hunting concerns, and local water rates to rancher mental health.

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