A long, hot summer takes a toll on everyone and everything, from the lettuce in your garden to the battery in your car.
Thank goodness the heat waves are over now. Enjoy the crisp, cool fall air.
Then, one day, the battery goes kaput. You blame the brisk autumn weather when in fact, the prolonged summer heat sucked the life out of your battery well before the first leaf fell.
How Car Batteries Work
Your car’s battery is an electrochemical device made of:
- Electrodes that store an electrical charge;
- An electrolyte solution where a chemical reaction takes place;
- Positive and negative electrodes;
- A battery case that holds everything together.
A chemical reaction in the battery produces power to start your car and operate the radio, lights, and other accessories.
- Electrodes store the electrical charge.
- Electrolyte solution facilitates the chemical reaction.
The Impact of Heat on Car Batteries
Heat and car batteries aren’t the best of friends.
- Car batteries operate best between 32°F (0°C) and 77°F (25°C). Outside this range, particularly in extreme heat, stress hinders the battery’s performance.
- High temperatures accelerate chemical reactions in the battery, causing wear and tear.
- Elevated heat can evaporate the electrolyte solution, reducing the battery’s capacity.
- Heat promotes the corrosion of battery plates and other internal components.
- Higher temperatures can increase the battery’s voltage, leading to overcharging and potentially damaging the car’s electrical system.
- Heat aggravates sulfation, where lead sulfate crystals form on the battery’s plates and reduce efficiency.
Factors Affecting Battery Performance
- Age: Older batteries are more susceptible to heat-related damage.
- Driving habits: Frequent short trips or long periods of inactivity can decrease battery life.
- Extreme weather conditions: Extreme heat or cold strains your car’s battery.
- Lack of maintenance: Improper fluid levels and dirty terminals can impact battery performance.
- Battery quality: Cheaper, low-quality batteries may not withstand extreme temperatures as well as high-quality ones.
Signs of a Weak Battery
A weak battery can leave you stranded and in need of a jump-start. Watch for the signals that your battery might be struggling:
- Slow engine crank
- Dim headlights
- Issues with power windows, locks, and other electrical components
- A swollen or bloated battery case
- Fluid leakage around the battery terminals
- A rotten egg smell caused by sulfuric acid
Tips for Protecting Your Car’s Battery in the Summer
You can’t protect your car from the summer heat unless you refrigerate it. Nevertheless, you can reduce summer’s impact on your car’s battery:
- Park your car in a shaded area or garage, especially during extreme heat. Never mind the bird droppings. It’s a small price to pay.
- Regularly clean the battery terminals and ensure they’re free from corrosion.
- Maintain correct fluid levels in the battery.
- Avoid frequent short trips that don’t allow the alternator enough time to recharge the battery fully.
- If possible, limit using accessories like air conditioning while driving to reduce strain on the battery.
- Consider investing in a high-quality, heat-resistant battery if you live in consistently high temperatures.
FAQs: Heat & Car Batteries
Q: How often should I check my car battery?
Check your car battery at least once a month, especially during the summer. Look for signs of damage or corrosion, and ensure it’s functioning correctly.
Q: How can I tell if my battery is damaged by heat?
Signs of heat damage include a swollen battery case, cracks, or leaking fluids. If you notice any of these, have a professional inspect your battery.
Q: What should I do if my battery dies unexpectedly?
Try to jump-start your car. If it doesn’t work, you’ll likely need a replacement. Purchasing a high-quality battery (from Powertron) that can withstand extreme temperatures.
Q: Can extreme heat shorten my car battery’s lifespan?
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can accelerate wear and tear on a battery’s internal components and significantly reduce lifespan.
Q: Is it safe to drive with a swollen battery?
No, a swollen battery indicates possible overheating or internal damage. Have it inspected or replaced by a professional immediately.
Q: How can I extend the life of my car battery?
Keep the battery clean, maintain proper fluid levels, park in shaded areas, and avoid heavy use of electrical accessories.
Q: Should I replace my battery after a certain number of years?
Most car batteries should be replaced every 3 to 5 years. Monitor your battery regularly, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Q: Do I need to disconnect my battery if I’m not using my car for an extended period?
For long-term storage, disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger to prevent it from dying while not in use.
Q: Can using a battery tender help in extreme heat?
A battery tender can maintain optimal charge levels, preventing overcharging and potential heat-related damage.
Q: What is sulfation, and how does it relate to heat?
Sulfation is the buildup of lead sulfate crystals on battery plates, which can be aggravated by heat and reduce the battery’s efficiency and lifespan. Keeping the battery cool can help mitigate this natural process.
Great article!
ANOTHER TIP IS INSTALLING A BATTERY BLANKET YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF FOR FREE!:
I’d like to share a Great Recycling Idea for your reflective insulated bag you might want to share with others!
I live in Colorado and I love to make battery blankets(wraps) our of the Blue Apron insulated bags, for all my vehicle batteries.
So they last longer protected from engine heat, as anything over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, accelerates the battery’s internal corrosion and water loss and also can perform better in our bitter cold that can greatly reduce their output ability over 50 percent when you need them the most and their charging ability.
Automotive Batteries are expensive and seem to only last 3-7 years.
There are just a things we can do to extend our battery’s life span.
There are few sellers of aftermarket battery blankets(like the picture below) and even when you find a seller, they are basically to expensive for most to consider.
It’s well known in the automotive industry, that our vehicle’s main starter battery’s life is shortened in temperature extremes of the hot engine compartment and the either or hot and cold climates we live in.
Because of this, many automotive manufacturers equip their new vehicles with battery blankets usually made from a cloth exterior and fiberglass like interior.
However, even vehicles originally equipped with these battery blankets too often loose their blankets during battery replacement.
Often because the fragile blanket get torn during removal, OR the new battery installer does not want to bother with slipping the blanket on the new battery, OR the original blanket does not fit the new battery, OR the installer is unaware what the blanket does OR assumes it is part of the old battery case.
Making a battery blanket is so easy with the Blue Apron reflective insulation bag which does not even conduct electricity!
I place the battery into one of the corners of the bag and cut the bag down so that it wraps around the sides of the battery.
I use my screw driver end to punch a hole at each bottom corner so if water ever gets in the bag, it can leak right out.
Then I fold the sides and use box tape to hold the cut areas.
Then I use scissors and cut the bag to the level of the top of the battery.
All Done!
Please help our environment by continuing to encourage reusing and repurposing.
Take care!
Should I keep the generator’S battery warmer on even on the summer?