It is cold outside and the last thing you want to do is jump your vehicle because the battery in your vehicle has died. Unfortunately, this occurs too often. The reason that it does happen is that the freezing cold weather can take a toll on car batteries, by restricting the battery capacity and slowing down the chemicals inside the battery. Also, keep in mind the load and charge rate comparable to the capacity of your battery.

Keep in mind that in low temperatures a higher charge voltage is needed. Therefore, to enhance battery maintenance when the temperature is lower than 50°F, temperature compensate charging.

So now, it has happened to you. It’s severely cold, the vehicle has stalled, and it won’t turn over. It’s time to get out and jump the vehicle. Read on and I’ll give you three helpful tricks on how to jump the car during this time of year and how to prevent it from being a problem beforehand.

How to Jump a Battery

You need to understand the makeup of a battery before attempting to make a jump. A battery has two standing posts/terminals on each side of the battery. These are the positive and negative sides. Usually the battery is color-coded red and black. The red side is positive while the black is negative.

The Positive side appears as.

A plus sign engraved in the battery post/terminal
A rep cap or marking on the post/terminal
The post/terminal is larger
By using voltmeter
On the other hand, the Negative side has
A negative sign engraved in the battery post/terminal
A black cap or marking on the post/terminal
The post/terminal is smaller
By using a voltmeter
Where to get battery parts online
You can buy the battery parts from the following shops online.
eBay
Amazon
Advance Auto Parts
Auto Zone
Napa Auto Parts

Cost of Battery and Parts

If you need to replace the battery, eventually, the cost of these varies from shop to shop. On an average, the total cost of a battery is around $25 to $100 across the states. It also depends on size and type. Jumper cables will cost $10 to $25.

Materials/Tools needed for jumping a battery (depends on bolt style)

Jumper cables
Battery with life
Flat tip screwdriver
Allen wrench set
Boxed end wrenches
Flat tip screwdriver
Torque bit set
Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
Torque wrench
Gloves (installing or removing the battery)
Glasses (installing or removing the battery)

Procedures for charging batteries

Charging a battery involves two main parts, which must be followed to have a successful operation. Also keeping the battery from draining is another way to avoid the cold.

1. Charging the Battery

Gather all necessary tools before starting makes the work more efficient. It is important to note the following prior to charging the battery.

Ensure the vehicle gear is in park and open the hood.

Note exactly where the battery is and which side the positive and negative posts/terminal is on.

Disconnect the battery. Have driver of the other car park near your batter terminal.

Place and connect the jumper cables to their appropriate destination.

Take the other side of the jumper cables and connect them to the vehicles’ active battery.

After a few minutes have the driver of the running vehicle rev their engine up to 200 RPM. Turn over your car.

Disconnect your side of the jumper cables. Then remove the other side.

Let the engine run if it turns over.

2. Changing the Battery

Sometimes the battery has lost too much power and it becomes dead.

If the battery is indeed dead, a new one must be installed.

Disconnect the dead battery and take it to your nearest auto parts store.

You may or they may want to see if the battery can be revived. Cheaper than buying a new one. If it cannot be revived, then choose the best option for your vehicle.

Connect all wires back to their posts/terminal. Make sure the positive is on positive and the negative is on negative before starting the vehicle.

Start vehicle and let it run for a while

3. Keeping the Battery from Draining

As we noted the last thing you want is for your battery to die in freezing temperatures. Actually, it’s annoying enough for it to kill over no matter how hot or cold it is. Therefore, here are a few steps in taking care of the battery to get you through those frigid days/nights.

Asses the age of the battery. The life of the battery usually lasts anywhere from five to ten years. If you’re pushing that timeline, it may be a good precaution to get a new one before winter.

Ensure that the battery clamp is tightened up tight. Sometimes, they get loose, and cause the battery not to charge the vehicle. Tighten the screws if loose wires.

Check for corrosion. A simple task. Open the hood and look at the wires attached to the battery. Sometimes a faulty connection triggers corrosion. This lets the acid from the battery leak and oxidise the surrounding areas.

Clean any corrosion away with baking soda, water, and some towels. Make sure you are wearing gloves and eye protection. Then make sure the battery is in tight.

Install a battery blanket. The battery blanket keeps the battery fluid from freezing by producing heat to the source.

Minimize other automotive resources. Turn off the heater and radio before starting the vehicle. When idling makes sure, they are off as well. By having them on, it can lose power to the alternator and therefore keeping the vehicle from starting correctly.

Disconnect the battery. If you are not using the vehicle, it is safer to disconnect the battery. Instruments such as clocks and alarm systems will continue to drain.

Bringing it home

Changing the battery is easy if all the needed tools are available, and you can follow the procedures above. However, with frigid temperatures everything becomes more difficult. By using, the helpful tips from it draining can save you the time and energy from battling outside forces.