Battery Centre states that car batteries are damaged by the summer heat, which causes failure to start in winter, which is when higher starting currents are required.
Summer heat is tougher on your car battery than the winter chill. This is largely due to the corrosion processes that take place. While various factors contribute to this damage, Battery Centre has narrowed it down to the following two major factors.
Overcharging
Heat causes the internal voltage regulator and alternator to allow overcharging of the battery, which causes a slow death of your car battery. This can result in your battery failing, and often at the most inconvenient time if Murphy’s Law has anything to do with it.
Corrosion
Heat can cause the positive grids of your battery to corrode and deteriorate slowly. This results in a gradual reduction of cranking power, finally reaching the point where your car does not start.
It is tempting to think that while your car starts, nothing could possibly be wrong, but a faulty battery can strike at any time. In addition to the unexpected failure of your battery, a faulty battery could possibly cause further damage to your car by impacting components such as the onboard computer systems and possibly the Engine Control Unit (ECU).
Preventing damage to your car battery
You may not be able to avoid the heat, but good maintenance will go a long way to help minimise potential damage.
- Routine inspections: be sure to have your battery, alternator and starter assessed at least twice a year. This is proactive and is done for free at any Battery Centre countrywide.
- Keep the terminals clean: by doing this, you prolong the life of your battery. Do so at least once a month if necessary by using a mixture of baking soda, water and an old toothbrush to scrub the grime off the terminals.
- Turn off all electric components when you turn off the car: Always be sure to turn off the radio, unplug mobile chargers and check that the lights are turned off before getting out of your car.
BATTERY CENTRE
batterycentre.co.za
