First Chicago winter hit my car battery and my confidence alike

Moved here from Phoenix in July, thought I was ready for everything. Turns out a 7 year old battery does not care about your moving checklist. Last Tuesday morning, 6 degrees, I go out to start my Honda and it just clicks at me, no engine turn over at all. I sat there for a minute feeling dumb because I never even thought to check the battery before coming here. Called a local tow service, paid $110 to get jumped and driven to a shop on Irving Park Road. They tested it, said the cold cranking amps were basically gone, and I walked out $185 lighter with a new battery and a small lesson. The real kicker is my neighbor two doors down had the same thing happen a week before and never told me. Has anyone else from a warm state made a similar first winter mistake that you wish someone had warned you about?

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amy_foster791d ago

Heard a guy on a car podcast say cold drains a weak battery way faster than heat ever does, so a 7 year old one was already on borrowed time. Next time get it tested before Thanksgiving, most shops do it free.

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