AAA: Battery issues increased with cold weather spell in Connecticut

Is your car taking a little longer to start or not starting at all? The cold weather may be a major reason.

“The cold air always affects everything,” Aquaysha Johnson of New Haven said.

Everything that involves using your car. For drivers in Hamden, the recent freezing cold spell is doing a number on their vehicles.

“It seems like the battery, the gas, it’s always something,” she said.

Something electric car drivers are dealing with, especially when it comes to their batteries. One driver says his car batteries aren’t working as well, making it harder when he’s out and about.

“You can notice it for sure. You can notice the range drop. Even your car will tell you its range is 20 to 30 miles less than normal,” Pedram Motevalli of Hamden said.

AAA says it’s seeing more battery issues for drivers in Connecticut.  Last week, there were 8,000 roadside assistance calls, with 3,000 for battery issues. AAA says that’s a 50% jump from the week before.

“It’s a lot of calls for jumpstart, lockout, tow, RV extraction,” Jose Alvarez, a tow truck driver, said.

He responds to AAA calls and has seen the uptick firsthand.

“Probably in the three weeks before, we got a lot of jumpstarts,” Alvarez said.

AAA says to keep your car battery in the best shape, park in garages away from the elements if possible, and keep terminals clean.  It also says electric cars should have their batteries preconditioned while plugged in to charge. Drivers say they’ll do whatever they can to weather this latest cold spell.

“Do whatever you can. Wrap up tight. It’s way too much,” Johnson said.

AAA says if you do have an old battery that’s close to needing to be replaced, it may be a good idea to get it done sooner or later, with the cold temps sticking around for a bit.