A dead car battery is dreaded no matter what the season. This is why it is so important to care for your car’s battery and be knowledgeable about what warmer weather can bring to your vehicle’s care. Warmer weather can be rough on mechanical components. Just like your cooling system has to work harder to keep the vehicle cool, your battery has to work harder once the temperatures begin to rise.
HOW WARMER TEMPERATURES AFFECT YOUR CAR BATTERY
As the outside temperature begins to rise, a car battery has a harder time functioning properly. Warmer weather cannot only cause your car battery to fail but it can also cause corrosion, which can lead to battery failure. According to a study, the average life of a battery is 3 ½ years and it is even shorter than that once warmer temperatures arise. Heat causes battery fluid to dry out and evaporate, which damages the internal structure of the battery causing it to not work properly. Heat can also bring corrosion to your battery, making it difficult for an electrical connection. To know if you have a corrosion problem on your battery, look for a yellowish or white powder on the battery. If this is noticed you should wash it off with a damp toothbrush and baking soda. Often times if the corrosion is bad enough it will be difficult to scrub off. If this happens you can try using a wool pad to clean up the component as well. To slow down the formation of corrosive deposits, simply apply grease or petroleum jelly onto the posts.
FAULTY BATTERY ISSUES WITH WARMER WEATHER
If your car battery becomes faulty when the weather starts to get warmer, your car may have more difficulty starting. Faulty battery problems may necessitate that you turn off all unnecessary interior and exterior lights before you start your car. If the problem still persists, you may have to turn off accessories such as the radio along with the lights to try and assist the faulty battery to start. An overcharged battery can also be the culprit to a faulty car battery. The voltage regulator, which controls the charges in the battery, can become dead if it is overcharged.
HOW TO GET THE MOST LIFE OUT OF YOUR CAR BATTERY
Since batteries can fail at any time, there are steps you can take to prolong the life of your car battery. One step you can do is regularly scrape away any corrosion from the cable connections and tighten the connections for maximum voltage connection. You should check the fluid level regularly and look for leaks and holes in the fluid compartment. Secure your battery in place, making sure your battery is free of any moving and vibration. Batteries that shake can become damaged and short-circuited quicker causing the battery to fail sooner. By placing a blanket around the battery, you are able to not only protect it from extreme heat but also prevent the battery from overheating. By avoiding short trips you can extend your battery’s life. Car battery care should be an integral part of preparation for a warmer climate, allowing for a more enjoyable and secure travel for you and your passengers.