A Hot Summer Can Wreck Your Car’s Battery

How Does Summer Heat Affect Car Batteries?

Hitting the road to explore the natural beauty of our province is the best part of summer. With additional summer driving, we need to approach maintenance a little differently, namely, the battery, which all our vehicles need to run. So, how does the heat of the summer affect your automotive battery? Some experts say heat can be harder on your battery than cold. Follow along with us while we take a closer look at some crucial information.

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How Heat Can Drain Your Car Battery Faster Than You Think

Most car batteries are designed to work best in moderate conditions—somewhere around 21 to 26 degrees Celsius. But during the summer months, things heat up fast. Under the hood, temperatures can soar well beyond the outside air, thanks to the engine’s heat adding to the mix.

While cold weather tends to slow down a battery’s chemical activity, extreme heat has the opposite effect. It accelerates those reactions, which can lead to quicker power drain and shorten the battery’s overall life. Plus, the added strain on the electrical system during hot weather can push your alternator harder than usual, potentially causing it to fail prematurely.

Tips to Protect Your Battery in Hot Weather

Although you can’t control the temperature, you can take a few steps to help your battery hold up better in the heat:

• Drive regularly—short trips won’t cut it. Aim for drives longer than 20 minutes to keep the battery charged.
• Park in the shade or inside a garage whenever you can to reduce heat exposure.
• Avoid using the stereo or interior lights unless the engine is running.
• Check the battery terminals periodically and clean off any corrosion to maintain a good connection.

The Downtown Tyee Service Department is staffed with some of the most experienced service technicians in the area. In fact, several of them hold the top certifications available. Make an appointment with us before you hit the road so we can offer you some additional peace of mind.