> **Quick Answer:** Try a jump start first. Cold weather slows the chemical reaction inside your battery, and a good jump followed by 20-30 minutes of driving to recharge often solves it. If the car won't take a charge, cranks slowly even after a jump, or dies again within a day, the battery is failing and you need a tow to a shop, not another jump.
## Should I Try Jumping It or Just Call a Tow Truck?
Jump it first. A dead or undercharged battery is the most common reason a car won't start in cold weather, and a jump costs you nothing if someone nearby has cables or a jump pack. Save the tow call for when the jump doesn't work or the car dies again before you reach a shop.
The exception: if you turn the key and hear nothing at all, not even a click, you may have a failed starter motor or a completely dead battery with no surface charge left. A jump may still work, but if three solid attempts fail with good cables and a known-good donor vehicle, stop trying and call for a tow.
## Why Does Cold Weather Kill a Car Battery?
A battery loses roughly 20% of its cranking power at 32°F and close to 50% at 0°F. That's not a made-up stat. It's the electrochemical reality of how lead-acid batteries work. The sulfuric acid electrolyte inside thickens in the cold, slowing the reaction that produces current. Meanwhile, your engine needs more power to crank over cold, thick oil. Both things happen at the same time, which is why a battery that tested fine in October suddenly can't start your car in January.
If your battery is already 3-4 years old, cold weather will expose that weakness fast. A battery that marginal won't survive many more winters. Even if you get it jumped today, have it load-tested at any auto parts store before the next cold snap. Most stores do it free.
## What If It Jumps Fine but Dies Again the Next Morning?
The battery is not holding a charge, which means either the battery itself is shot or your alternator is not charging it while you drive. A healthy alternator puts out 13.5 to 14.7 volts at idle. Below that, it's not keeping up with demand and your battery will drain overnight.
You can check this yourself with a cheap multimeter. With the engine running, touch the probes to the battery terminals. Under 13.5V means your alternator is suspect. If the voltage looks fine but the battery keeps dying, the battery has a bad cell and needs replacement. Either way, repeated jumps won't fix an underlying charging system problem, and you will eventually get stranded somewhere less convenient. At that point, a tow is cheaper than the stress.
For more on what's actually happening under the hood on a cold morning, see [Car Won't Start Cold Morning: Dead Battery or Something Else?](/car-wont-start-cold-morning-dead-battery-or-something-else/)
## How Do I Jump Start a Car Safely in Cold Weather?
Connect red to dead positive, red to good positive, black to good negative, black to an unpainted metal ground on the dead car (not the dead battery terminal). Start the donor vehicle, let it run two minutes, then try the dead car. If it cranks slowly, give the donor another minute before trying again.
One cold-weather specific tip: if the battery is so cold it has ice on the case, do not jump it. A frozen battery can
*Photo: Pexels*
crack or, in rare cases, vent hydrogen gas and rupture. Warm the engine compartment first if possible, or call a tow. Also use cables that are at least 4-gauge. Thin cheap cables can't deliver enough amperage on a cold morning to wake up a sluggish battery.
If you are stuck somewhere exposed and unsafe while waiting, read [How Long Can You Wait on the Side of a Highway for a Tow?](/how-long-can-you-wait-on-side-of-highway-for-tow/) for what to do while you wait.
## What Will a Tow Cost If I Can't Get It Started?
A local tow to a nearby shop typically runs $75 to $125 for the first few miles, more if you're far from town or it's after hours. If you have roadside assistance through AAA, your insurance, or a plan like [State Farm or GEICO](/state-farm-roadside-assistance-vs-aaa-which-is-better/), a jump start is usually covered at no cost, and a tow may be covered up to a set mileage limit.
If you are paying out of pocket, call at least two tow companies and ask for their hook-up fee and per-mile rate before agreeing to anything. Do not let them load the car first. Get the price confirmed before the hook goes on.
For a full breakdown of what you might owe without coverage, [how much does a tow truck cost with no insurance](/how-much-does-a-tow-truck-cost-with-no-insurance/) walks through real numbers by situation.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can a car battery be too dead to jump start?**
A: Yes. If a battery has dropped below about 3 volts, a standard jump may not revive it. Let the donor vehicle run connected for 5-10 minutes before trying, and if it still won't crank at all, the battery likely needs replacement before the car will start.
**Q: How long should I drive after a jump start to recharge the battery?**
A: At least 20-30 minutes of highway driving, not idling. City stop-and-go driving at low RPM does not charge the battery efficiently. A dedicated battery charger overnight is more reliable than a short drive.
**Q: Does cold weather damage a car battery permanently?**
A: Cold itself does not permanently damage a healthy battery, but if the battery was already weak and discharged fully in the cold, internal sulfation can reduce its capacity permanently. A battery that has been completely dead in freezing temps should be load-tested before you trust it again.
**Q: My car clicks rapidly when I try to start it in the cold. What does that mean?**
A: Rapid clicking almost always means the battery does not have enough voltage to engage the starter motor. The starter solenoid is chattering because it keeps losing power mid-engagement. Jump it or charge it. If jumping doesn't help, check for corroded or loose battery terminal connections.
**Q: Is it worth replacing the battery myself or should I have a shop do it?**
A: Most batteries are a straightforward DIY swap with basic tools, and auto parts stores will often install one for free if you buy it there. However, on newer vehicles with battery management systems, like many BMWs and late-model Fords, the replacement battery needs to be registered to the car's computer. On those, have a shop do it.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/car-wont-start-in-cold-weather-tow-or-jump/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Car Won't Start in Cold Weather: Tow or Jump Start?
Photo: Pexels