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Why Winter Is Hard on Your Car Battery Cold weather is tough on car batteries for a few key reasons: Chemical Reaction Slows Down in Cold Temps Car batteries rely on chemical reactions to produce the electrical charge needed to start your engine. As the temperature drops, these chemical reactions slow down, reducing your battery's efficiency. At 32°F, a car battery loses about 20% of its strength. At 0°F, it can lose up to 50%. Engines Require More Power to Start in Winter In freezing weather, your engine oil thickens, which makes your engine harder to turn over. That extra effort requires more power from your already struggling battery. Increased Power Usage Winter means you’re likely running your heater, defroster, headlights, and seat warmers more often, placing an additional strain on your battery. Old Batteries Are More Vulnerable If your battery is already old or weak, winter conditions will often push it over the edge. Batteries typically last 3–5 years, and as they age, they become less effective at holding a charge. Signs Your Battery May Be Struggling Before winter gets the best of your battery, watch out for these warning signs: Slow Engine Crank: If your car struggles to start or takes longer than usual to crank, your battery may be weak. Dim Lights: Dimming interior or exterior lights can indicate a battery issue. Dashboard Warning Light: If the battery or check engine light comes on, it’s time to investigate. Corrosion or Bloated Case: Visible corrosion around the terminals or a swollen battery case are signs your battery is on its last legs. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait for a freezing morning to test your luck—address the issue now. Steps to Prevent Winter Battery Failure While no battery lasts forever, you can take these steps to extend its life and avoid winter headaches: 1. Test Your Battery Before Winter Hits A simple battery test can tell you how much life your battery has left. Many auto parts stores offer free battery testing, or you can ask your mechanic to check it during a routine service. 2. Clean Your Battery Terminals Corrosion buildup on the battery terminals can prevent your battery from delivering power efficiently. Inspect the terminals regularly and clean off any buildup with a mixture of baking soda and water. 3. Keep Your Battery Charged If you’re driving less during the winter, your battery may not get enough use to stay fully charged. A battery maintainer or trickle charger can keep your battery topped off, especially if you park your car for long periods. 4. Limit Short Drives Short trips don’t give your alternator enough time to recharge the battery after starting the engine. Try to combine errands into longer trips to keep the battery charged. 5. Park Indoors or Use a Battery Blanket If possible, park in a garage to keep your car slightly warmer than the outdoor temperature. For extreme cold, consider a battery blanket—an insulated wrap that plugs into a standard outlet and keeps your battery warm. 6. Replace Old Batteries If your battery is approaching the 3–5 year mark, it’s a good idea to replace it before winter, especially if you’ve noticed any performance issues. What to Do If Your Battery Dies Even with the best precautions, batteries can still fail. If you’re stranded with a dead battery, Omaha Towing Co is here to help. We offer fast, reliable roadside assistance, including jump-start services , 24/7. Here’s what to do if your battery dies: Stay Safe: If your car is in an unsafe location, like the side of a busy road, turn on your hazard lights and move to a safe area if possible. Call for Help: Contact Omaha Towing Co. Our team will arrive promptly to get you back on the road. Plan for Replacement: If your battery dies once, it’s likely to die again soon. Make arrangements to replace it as soon as possible. Don’t Let a Dead Battery Ruin Your Winter At Omaha Towing Co, we know that a dead battery is more than just an inconvenience—it can disrupt your entire day. By taking a few preventive steps, you can reduce the chances of being stranded in the cold. And if the worst happens, we’re just a phone call away, ready to assist you anytime, anywhere. Stay safe this winter, and let us know how we can help keep your car running smoothly!
Winter in Omaha, NE can be brutal, especially when the roads are covered in ice and snow. For those of us who live here, we know that driving in these conditions is challenging. But when a vehicle breaks down or gets stuck, towing it safely becomes an even greater challenge. At Omaha Towing Co, we prioritize safety, particularly during the winter months when icy roads can turn a routine tow into a hazardous situation. Here are some key safety considerations to keep in mind when towing vehicles in Omaha during the winter. 1. Icy Roads Increase Risk Icy roads are the number one hazard when it comes to winter towing . Even experienced drivers need to be extra cautious, as the reduced friction between the tires and the road can make it difficult to stop, turn, or control a tow vehicle. One wrong move can lead to accidents, not only endangering the towing operator but also other drivers on the road. Our team is highly trained to handle these conditions. We use specialized tow trucks equipped with winter tires to improve traction and stability on icy roads. In addition, our drivers are well-versed in adjusting speed and maintaining control in poor weather conditions to prevent skidding and loss of control. 2. Proper Weight Distribution Matters When towing a vehicle, proper weight distribution is crucial, especially on slick surfaces. Overloading the tow truck or improperly securing the towed vehicle can cause instability. The added weight behind the tow truck can shift unpredictably on icy roads, making it more likely to slide or jackknife. At Omaha Towing Co, we take every precaution to ensure that the towed vehicle is properly secured and that the weight is distributed evenly. We use the right equipment for the job, such as wheel-lift or flatbed tow trucks, to ensure safe and stable towing, even in treacherous conditions. 3. Visibility is Essential Winter weather doesn’t just bring ice – it often comes with snow, fog, and shorter daylight hours, all of which reduce visibility. Tow truck operators and drivers alike need to be able to see and be seen. Poor visibility increases the risk of accidents, particularly when working on the side of the road or during heavy snowfall. Our team is equipped with high-visibility clothing and our tow trucks feature bright flashing lights to ensure we can be seen by other drivers from a distance. We also place cones or flares to alert oncoming traffic that a vehicle is being towed, which reduces the likelihood of an accident while we work. 4. Understanding Omaha's Winter Conditions Omaha’s winters can be unpredictable, with sudden temperature drops and ice storms. Local knowledge goes a long way in improving safety. Being familiar with Omaha’s roads, neighborhoods, and common trouble spots for ice accumulation helps us make safer decisions on where and how to tow. At Omaha Towing Co, our team has years of experience navigating Omaha’s roads during the winter. We know which roads to avoid when they’re likely to ice over, and we are always monitoring local weather conditions to make informed decisions before dispatching a tow truck. 5. Emergency Preparedness During the winter months, being prepared for the unexpected is critical. Icy roads can delay tow trucks and make the wait times longer than usual. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, food, and water, in case you need to wait for assistance. At Omaha Towing Co, we understand the urgency of getting you and your vehicle to safety. We’re committed to arriving as quickly as possible, even during snowstorms and icy conditions, while ensuring the safety of both our team and customers. Conclusion Towing vehicles in Omaha during the winter requires a high level of skill, specialized equipment, and an unwavering focus on safety. With icy roads, low visibility, and challenging conditions, it’s critical to trust professionals who are trained to handle the unique demands of winter towing. At Omaha Towing Co, we take every precaution to ensure a safe and efficient towing experience, no matter what the weather throws our way. If you find yourself stuck this winter, give us a call – we’ll be there to get you back on the road safely!