NHTSA puts it plainly: when the temperature drops, so does battery power, and gasoline and diesel engines take more battery power to start in cold weather. Interstate Batteries, a battery maker, attaches numbers to that effect, saying a car battery loses 35% of its strength at 32 degrees F and up to 60% of its strength at 0 degrees F.

NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Belleville station show 93 nights a year on average at or below 32 degrees F, along with 11.2 inches of snow a year. Nissan adds that summer heat or overcharging chips away at a battery's ability to hold power, so it may not have enough left to start your Nissan when winter strikes.

• NOAA: Belleville averages 8 nights a year at or below 10 degrees F
• Cold engines need more battery power to start, NHTSA says
• Battery fluid can freeze in extreme cold if not fully charged
• Nissan Battery Service

The multi-point inspection at Auffenberg Nissan includes a complimentary battery diagnostic test. A technician looks over the battery terminals, cables and mounting and runs a capacity test, so you know where the battery stands before the coldest weeks arrive. Restrictions apply to Nissan's complimentary battery inspection offers, so ask your service advisor what your visit includes.

If the test points to a weak battery, Nissan says participating dealers recommend the exact fit for your vehicle. Battery Diagnostic Check & Replacement is also on the Express Service menu, with no appointment needed during Express Service hours. NHTSA suggests having a mechanic check the battery, charging system and belts ahead of winter.

• Terminals, cables and mounting checked during the inspection
• Capacity test included with the multi-point inspection
• No appointment needed for battery checks during Express Service hours
• Express Service

When a battery does need replacing, Auffenberg Nissan installs Genuine Nissan Replacement Batteries, which the store says are designed to meet your vehicle's original specifications. Nissan's warranty booklet spells out the first stage: if the battery becomes unserviceable within its first 24 months, Nissan replaces it, labor included, without charge, provided an authorized Nissan dealer originally installed it.

After 24 months, coverage is pro-rated through the 84-month mark and you pay all labor. Nissan's table has the owner paying 25% of the current suggested retail price for months 25 to 32, 50% for months 33 to 50 and 75% for months 51 to 84. Damage from freezing, improper installation or charging, and recharging a discharged battery are not covered.

• No-charge replacement with labor for 24 months when dealer-installed
• Keep your proof of purchase for warranty service
• Installed during the New Vehicle Limited Warranty? Covered at least to its end
• Order Nissan Parts

Nissan lists five signs that a battery is dying: you need a jump start, you hear clicking noises when you start the vehicle, the interior lights start to dim, electronics such as the interior or dashboard lights behave strangely, or the dashboard battery light stays on. Any one of them is reason to book a test.

On Nissan models with the Idling Stop System, the owner's manual notes that the system will not activate when battery capacity or battery temperature is low, and it may take time to activate in cold weather or after a battery replacement. If a jump start fails to start the engine, the manual says the battery may have to be replaced.

• Clicking noises when you start the vehicle
• A dashboard battery light that stays on
• New Nissans: 24/7 Roadside Assistance for a dead battery, 36 months/36,000 miles
• Book Battery Service

Nissan says typical modern batteries are maintenance free, and the owner's manual recommends dealer service for the sealed battery. Between visits, keep the battery clean and dry with its terminals clean and tight, and watch your habits: accessories used with the engine off, infrequent driving and short trips can all drain it, and it may then need charging.

For a vehicle that will sit for 30 days or longer, the 2027 Nissan Rogue owner's manual calls for disconnecting the negative battery cable. Nissan also notes that infrequent startup and long exposure to heat or cold may shorten a battery's life. Check our current service coupons for battery offers ahead of your visit.

• Keep terminals clean and tight through the winter
• Short trips and engine-off accessory use can drain it
• Heat and cold exposure may shorten battery life
• Current Service Coupons