Summer Heat Can Kill Your Car Battery Faster

It has been a hot summer already, and we are not even to the “dog days.” I recently learned something new about car batteries that I did not know before and want to share with you so you can avoid the hassle of a roadside assistance call.

I think most of us already know that the winter is hard on car batteries. That cold weather reminds us to check the car battery as we sit there trying to get the car to start. But did you know that the summer heat can actually be more damaging to your car’s battery? In fact, a battery can die 33% faster in the heat than the cold because the temperature inside the engine on a hot day can soar above 140 degrees. I’m sure you do know already that running the air conditioner does not help.

So before you head off on a summer road-trip, or even a long day-trip, be sure you check under the hood to make sure your battery is doing OK. First check the date to see when you bought it. If it was more than 3 years ago, you should get it tested and make sure it is still in good condition. Check out the battery itself. Is the casing cracked? Is it leaking fluid? If so, go get a new battery now. You may also want to check your battery fluid to make sure there is an adequate amount and that it is not evaporating in the hot weather.

Besides checking your battery, it is a good idea to do some of these other things to keep your car running (and save money on costly repairs):

• Check your tire pressure and make sure it matches what is in the manual. When you keep your tires inflated it reduces the amount of surface of the tire touching the ground which decreases friction that can slow your car down.
• Read the manual. Yes, I know it sounds boring, but look in there to make sure you are up-to-date on the recommended maintenance so your car will run efficiently and longer. Would you rather pay for a few tune-ups or a new car?
• Ease onto the accelerator or brake. Trying to speed up too fast or slamming on the brakes can wear down your car faster.
• Make sure all the other fluids are full. Check your brake fluid, oil, radiator fluid, etc. to make sure they are all within the range they should be at for your vehicle. This will help keep your car running the way it should.

Now, if you’ve done all these things but are still thinking about getting a different, maybe more fuel-efficient or better-running, car then be sure to read through our article on what you need to know when buying a new (or used) car and how to decide which to buy.