24/7 dispatch
4.7681 Google reviews
WreckMaster and I-TECC certified
Family-owned in Evergreen
(303) 674-0198
Winter driving
Cold mornings cut a battery's starting power just as a cold engine needs more of it. Here is what to watch for and what to do.
By D&J Towing dispatch, Evergreen, CO. Updated October 2026. 5 min read.
Yes, cold weather can leave you with a dead car battery, especially if the battery was already weak. Low temperatures reduce the power a battery can deliver, while a cold engine needs more power to start. A vehicle that started normally yesterday may struggle after spending a freezing night outside. For drivers in Colorado's foothills and along Wyoming's winter highways, a weak battery can quickly become a roadside problem. Understanding why cold weather affects starting power, what the warning signs mean, and when to request assistance can help you avoid making the situation worse.
A conventional car battery uses chemical reactions to store and release electrical energy. When temperatures drop, those reactions slow down, reducing the battery's ability to deliver the power needed to start the engine.
At the same time, the engine becomes more difficult to turn over. Cold temperatures make engine oil thicker and increase the effort required from the starter motor.
That creates two problems at once: the battery has less starting power available, and the engine requires more of it.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's winter driving guidance explains that gasoline and diesel engines require more battery power to start in cold weather. NHTSA recommends having the battery, charging system, and related components inspected before winter driving. .
A battery doesn't necessarily become damaged overnight just because the temperature drops below freezing. Often, cold weather exposes a problem that was already developing.
A battery that has lost capacity through age, repeated discharge, or previous exposure to extreme heat may still provide enough power during mild weather. When colder temperatures reduce its available output, that remaining capacity may no longer be sufficient to start the engine.
The result can seem sudden. Your vehicle might start without hesitation on Monday afternoon, crank slowly on Tuesday morning, and fail to start after another cold night. The U.S. Department of Energy also notes that low temperatures can affect batteries in conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, not just electric vehicles.
Cold weather isn't always the original cause of battery failure. Sometimes it's simply the condition that reveals an existing weakness.
A battery doesn't always stop working without warning. Changes in how your vehicle starts or how its electrical systems behave may indicate that the battery is struggling. One of the most noticeable symptoms is slow engine cranking.
Normally, the starter turns the engine at a steady speed until it begins running. With a weak battery, the engine may turn over more slowly or hesitate before starting. Other possible warning signs include:
These symptoms can point toward a weak battery, but they aren't enough to diagnose the battery by themselves. Loose or corroded battery connections, a failing starter, a charging-system problem, or another electrical fault can produce similar symptoms. .
A clicking sound often indicates that the starting system is attempting to operate but cannot complete the process.
Rapid clicking commonly occurs when the battery cannot provide sufficient current to keep the starter engaged. A single click can have several causes, including a weak battery, starter trouble, or an electrical connection problem. The important distinction is that clicking does not automatically mean the battery needs replacement.
Testing the battery and charging system helps determine whether the problem is insufficient battery power or something else.
If your vehicle is repeatedly clicking instead of starting, continuing to turn the key is unlikely to resolve the underlying problem.
If your car won't start on a freezing morning, start with a few simple checks before assuming the battery is completely dead.
First, make sure the vehicle is in Park or Neutral, as appropriate for the transmission, and that you are following the manufacturer's normal starting procedure.
Then turn off unnecessary electrical accessories, including the radio, climate-control fan, heated seats, and other equipment drawing power.
Attempt to start the vehicle normally.
If the engine cranks slowly, clicks repeatedly, or doesn't turn over, avoid making repeated attempts
Each attempt to start the engine uses electrical energy. If the battery already has insufficient power, repeated attempts can drain the remaining charge further.
A battery that might initially have responded to assistance can become more deeply discharged after numerous unsuccessful starting attempts. Repeated cranking may also place unnecessary stress on the starter. If the vehicle doesn't start after a reasonable attempt and is showing signs of insufficient battery power, stop and arrange assistance.
Where the vehicle is parked matters. A car that won't start in a driveway presents a different safety situation than one sitting on the shoulder of Highway 285 or Interstate 25.
If you're near moving traffic, in an unsafe location, or exposed to severe weather, prioritize your safety over inspecting the engine compartment..
Avoid standing near passing vehicles or opening the hood where visibility is limited..
If the vehicle is stopped in a dangerous position, notify emergency services when appropriate and explain the situation to roadside dispatch. .
A jump-start may be appropriate when the issue is insufficient starting power, but the procedure must be compatible with the vehicle and battery.
Modern vehicles can have manufacturer-specific jump-start terminals and procedures. Connecting cables incorrectly can damage electrical components or create an injury hazard. Never attempt to jump-start a battery that appears frozen, cracked, leaking, swollen, or otherwise damaged.
If you're unfamiliar with the correct procedure, don't have suitable equipment, or are parked somewhere unsafe, requesting roadside assistance is the better option. D&J Towing provides emergency roadside assistance, including jump-start service, for drivers experiencing vehicle problems.
A successful jump-start can get an engine running, but it doesn't necessarily mean the underlying problem has been resolved.
If the battery was discharged because an interior light was left on or the vehicle sat unused for an extended period, the battery may still be usable after it has been properly recharged and tested.
If the battery has lost substantial capacity, however, it may no longer be able to hold enough charge to start the engine reliably.
A charging-system problem can also leave the vehicle stranded again even after a successful jump-start.
Once the engine is operating, the charging system helps supply electricity and replenish the battery.
That can temporarily hide a weak battery. The vehicle may run normally while the engine is on, only to fail again the next time you shut it off.
Likewise, a malfunctioning alternator or another charging-system component may prevent the battery from recovering properly. A battery test and charging-system inspection can help identify the cause. .
Battery replacement may be appropriate when testing shows the battery can no longer provide sufficient starting power or hold a usable charge. The correct replacement depends on several factors, including:
Cold-cranking amps, commonly abbreviated as CCA, describe a battery's ability to deliver starting current at low temperatures. They are particularly relevant for vehicles regularly operated in freezing conditions.
Installing a battery that doesn't meet the manufacturer's specifications can create additional problems. Some vehicles also require battery registration, programming, or other procedures after replacement.
D&J Towing offers jump-start service and battery installation as part of its roadside assistance capabilities. Whether installation can be completed where the vehicle is located depends on the battery, vehicle requirements, location, and available equipment.
If the problem requires repairs beyond roadside service, towing to a repair facility may be necessary.
You can't eliminate every winter starting problem, but a little preparation can reduce the likelihood of finding yourself stranded.
The most useful step is having the battery checked before temperatures drop. A battery that performs adequately in September may struggle during a particularly cold morning in December or January.
A winter inspection can reveal reduced battery performance, loose connections, or charging-system problems before the vehicle fails to start.
Ask a qualified technician to inspect the battery and evaluate its starting performance.
The charging system should also be checked, particularly if you've noticed dimming lights, intermittent electrical problems, or repeated battery discharge.
A battery that's continually losing charge may have a problem unrelated to cold weather.
Vehicles that regularly make very short trips may not always operate long enough to replenish energy used during starting.
This can be more noticeable in winter, when lights, defrosters, and other electrical accessories are used frequently.
Likewise, a vehicle parked for an extended period may gradually lose charge.
If you rarely drive a particular vehicle, ask a qualified technician whether a compatible battery maintainer would be appropriate.
Parking in a garage or protected location can help reduce exposure to extreme weather.
However, a garage does not fix a failing battery.
If your vehicle already struggles to start, don't assume that parking somewhere warmer will eliminate the problem.
Drivers around Evergreen, Conifer, Golden, and other Colorado foothill communities can encounter sudden changes in weather and temperature.
Wyoming's open highways can also expose stranded drivers to low temperatures and strong winds.
Before longer winter trips, keep your phone charged and carry warm clothing, blankets, water, and basic emergency supplies.
NHTSA recommends preparing a winter emergency kit that includes items such as a flashlight, jumper cables, warning devices, blankets, and a phone charger.
The goal is to be prepared if your vehicle fails to start somewhere other than home.
Cold temperatures slow the chemical reactions that allow a battery to deliver electrical power. At the same time, a cold gasoline or diesel engine requires more power to start. A battery that seemed reliable during warmer weather may not have enough remaining capacity to start the vehicle when temperatures fall.
No. Repeated starting attempts can use the battery's remaining charge without resolving the problem. Clicking or very slow cranking may indicate a weak battery, but starter or electrical connection problems can produce similar symptoms. If the vehicle won't start after a reasonable attempt, stop and arrange a battery check or roadside assistance.
In some situations, yes. D&J Towing offers jump-start service and battery installation as part of its roadside assistance services. Whether a battery can be replaced at your location depends on the vehicle, required battery, accessibility, and equipment available. Some vehicles may need additional procedures or repairs at a service facility.
Cold mornings in Colorado and Wyoming can expose battery problems that weren't noticeable during milder weather. If your vehicle won't start, D&J Towing provides 24/7 roadside assistance, including jump-start service, and can help determine the appropriate next step. Call (303) 674-0198 when you need assistance.
Need a tow right now?
D&J Towing has run tows and roadside calls out of Evergreen since 1984. Call dispatch any hour and ask anything, including how payment works.
Call (303) 674-0198