Does Heat Kill Car Batteries?
We all face a situation when our car refuses to start, and we often blame the car battery for it. Batteries help our vehicles to start and operate smoothly. While most of us are aware of the part cold weather plays in draining or even killing the battery, how many of us know the effects hot weather has on the battery life? The fact is that hot summer months are much harder on the car's battery, and it can kill more batteries than the winter cold. Car batteries have a life expectancy of about 51 months in cold climates, while it is only about 30 months in areas with high temperatures.
How heat takes a toll on car batteries?
Extreme heat cuts the lifespan of the battery. It happens because high temperatures accelerate the rate of fluid loss from the battery, damaging the battery's internal structure, and weaken its charge. High heat due leads to malfunctioning of the charging system components that overcharges the battery. It slowly and steadily kills the car's battery. A hot battery causes the lead plates inside it to oxidize, and high heat speeds up the corrosion process. If the battery is old and already dry, corrosion will permanently damage its internal structure.
Signs that the battery is dying
The first indication that the battery needs attention is when the car has trouble starting. If the car engine feels a little harder to start or the battery light illuminates, it indicates a battery problem. Some other signs include low fluid levels, swollen battery case, dim headlight or interior lights, corroded battery posts, and if the battery is more than three years old. Charge or replace the battery, if you see any sign of battery failure.
How to prevent your battery from failing due to heat?
It is impossible to control the hot weather, but here are some tips to ensure that it doesn't kill the car's battery:
As we know that heat drains the battery, park the car in the shade, or in a garage to keep it away from direct sunlight. It will not only keep them safe and interiors comfortable but will also increase battery life.
Avoid taking many short car trips as they don't give the battery time to recharge. Longer driving time gives it more time to recover.
When you park the car, make sure all the interior and exterior lights are off.
Too much dirt and grease can drain the battery. Keep the battery and battery posts clean by wiping them with a cloth or paper towel regularly.
If the car remains parked for long, consider investing in a car battery charger.
Cut down the use of unnecessary electronics inside the car that may drain the battery.
Get the battery inspected by a technician during the summer to ensure that it is working correctly.
So, heat does take a toll on the car's battery and can kill it. Not maintaining the car battery's health during high summer heat will increase the chances of waking up to a dead battery. If you stay or plan to move to an area that experiences very high temperatures (over a hundred-degree Fahrenheit), invest in a car battery equipped to handle extreme heat conditions.
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