Unless you live in the desert you really don’t think too much about your car battery dying in the heat, but the hot summer temperatures can do a number on your car battery. When the heat makes you uncomfortable, it makes your car battery uncomfortable too.
Does Heat Drain Car Batteries?
When it’s 90 degrees outside, it’s probably about 140 degrees under the hood. This heat causes battery fluid to evaporate and leads to internal damage that can cause it to fail sooner than it’s supposed to. Car batteries are supposed to survive an average of two years or 30,000 miles. This lifespan is shortened when you live in the desert. Heat will shorten the life of a battery more than the cold. The heat may not cause your battery to die immediately but can jump-start the deterioration and decrease the average life span. Taking steps to protect your car battery from the heat will keep your car running all summer long!
Summer Car Battery Care
1. Check car battery condition and connections. The winter months can also do a number on your battery. Make sure it’s ready for summer and look for any damage. Make sure cables are tight and brackets are secure because these issues can shorten the life of your battery. Look for bulging, cracking or leaking too.
2. Try to park in the shade. A shady spot helps make your car a tiny bit more comfortable to get into and it good for the battery too. Park in the garage or in the shade as much as you can to shelter your car from the heat.
3. Watch water levels if applicable. You probably don’t need to worry about this as most batteries today are sealed and maintenance-free. If you happen to have a battery that needs fluid top ups, you’ll need to watch for excessive evaporation and add distilled water as needed.
4. Avoid draining the battery. The heat is hard enough on your battery. The last thing you want is added pressure for it to perform. Added pressure happens when you have all your electricity-dependent devices all running at the same time. Try and use these devices only when your car is running and if you find that your battery has run down, charge it back to 100% as soon as possible.
5. Clean car battery regularly. Grime that buildups around your battery and can trap heat, making your battery hotter than it should be. You can prevent buildup with regular maintenance. Take a rag or paper towel and wipe down any grease and dirt on a regular basis.
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Sustaining your battery is important and being able to identify problems early can save you a lot of trouble and money. Even if you do take these steps it may be difficult to tell if your battery is damaged or on the verge of quitting on you all together. That means it might be too late before you realize it and you might find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Contact Non Stop Towing for towing or roadside assistance services.
