If your car is slow to start, especially on a chilly morning, you are not alone. Drivers all over New Orleans experience this every time we get a cold front. One day the car starts just fine and the next morning it cranks slowly or struggles before finally turning over.
Whats up with that?
Weather
Cold weather has a direct effect on your car battery. Batteries create power through a chemical reaction, and when temperatures drop, that reaction slows down. This means the battery produces less power just when the engine needs more energy to start. In New Orleans, even mild cold snaps can reduce battery output enough to cause slow starting. A battery that barely gets by on a warm day may not have the strength to start the engine when it is cold.
Heat also plays a role in this problem. Our long, hot New Orleans summers are tough on batteries and often shorten their lifespan. Heat causes internal wear, and by the time cooler weather arrives, a battery may already be weakened. When a cold morning hits, that worn battery no longer has enough reserve power, and slow cranking becomes noticeable.
Starters
Starters are another major piece of the puzzle. When the engine is cold, it takes more effort to turn over. Thicker engine oil and tighter internal clearances increase the workload on the starter. A healthy starter can handle this added demand, but a worn starter may struggle. As starters fail, they often begin to draw excessive amperage. This increased amperage draw puts a heavy strain on the battery and can cause slow cranking or intermittent starting problems, even if the battery tests okay a failing starter can be too much demand.
Charging System
In many cases, the issue is not just the battery or just the starter. The charging system also matters. If the alternator is not fully recharging the battery while you drive, the battery may never reach a full charge. That leaves less stored power available the next time you try to start the car, especially in colder temperatures. Poor electrical connections and corrosion, which are common in the humid New Orleans climate, can also contribute by restricting power flow to the starter.
Ok, well how do we know whats wrong?
The only way to know for sure whether your car is slow to start because of the battery or the starter is proper testing. At Tim’s Quality Car Care in New Orleans, we perform a complete starting and charging system evaluation. This includes testing the battery, checking starter amperage draw, and inspecting the charging system to make sure everything is working together as it should.
If your car is slow to start and you are wondering whether it is the battery or the starter, let our mechanics take a look!
Make a reservation today!
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