How to Maintain Your Car Battery in Summer: Tips to Beat the Heat.
Photo by Aleksander Fox on Unsplash
Summer means road trips, sunshine, and rolled-down windows, but while you're out soaking up the rays, your car battery might be sweating it out. Believe it or not, the heat can be even more brutal on your battery than the cold. So if you want to avoid the dreaded click-click of a dead battery on a hot day, here’s how to keep it in top shape all summer long.
Why Summer heat is hard on batteries.
Most people associate dead batteries with winter, but high temperatures can be just as damaging, if not more. Here's why:
Heat accelerates chemical reactions inside the battery, which can shorten its lifespan.
Fluid inside the battery evaporates faster in high temperatures, even in sealed batteries.
Overcharging becomes more likely, especially if the charging system isn’t working correctly.
7 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Battery This Summer.
Park in the shade - Whenever possible, keep your car out of direct sunlight. Parking in a garage or under a tree can lower the temperature under the hood and reduce battery strain.
Keep it clean - Dirt and grime on the battery can act as conductors, which may drain the battery. A quick clean with a mixture of baking soda and water (carefully!) can go a long way.
Check battery terminals - Make sure the terminals are tightly connected and free of corrosion. A simple terminal brush or even an old toothbrush can help you clean them up.
Avoid frequent short journeys - Short trips don’t give your battery enough time to recharge. Try to combine errands or take the scenic route once in a while, your battery will thank you.
Get your battery tested - Most auto shops will test your battery for free. It’s a good idea to get it checked at the start of summer, especially if it’s more than three years old.
Have your charging system checked -If your alternator is not functioning as it could, this can cause the battery to not charge and ultimately cause damage to the battery.
Invest in a battery charger - If your car is often sat idle, or you only ever make short trips, it may be worth investing in a battery charger to keep the battery in tip-top health!
Final thoughts.
So while you might not notice any signs of your battery deteriorating throughout the summer months, it’s always worth maintaining your battery so that when winter rolls around, you won’t be stuck on the driveway on those cold mornings.