Contrary to what many vehicle owners think, summer's hot temperatures can create major problems with your car battery. According to the Car Care Council, it is heat, not cold, that shortens battery life. The average car battery will last about three and a half years. However, excessive heat and overcharging are two main conditions that will shorten its life, resulting in a car battery replacement sooner than expected. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, causing damage to the internal structure, and amalfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, can allow too high a charging rate
A car battery will fail in the case of . . .
- Faulty Cable Connections - Cables from the battery posts deliver power to the car's starter. When the screws attaching these cables work loose, the electrical current is interrupted and your car probably won't start at all. Just tightening the connection cables will take care of this problem.
- Corrosion Buildup - If the cables are in good condition, corrosion could be the culprit. Corrosion is an acid by-product that accumulates around the posts, until the electrical connection grows weaker and weaker. Simply removing the corrosion should correct this problem.
- Inactivity - If you have not started your car for more than 2 weeks, the alternator has not been able to keep the battery charged, and the power slowly drains away. Remember to start an idle vehicle every week or so.
A few informational tips to help vehicle owners prolong the life of their car battery:
- Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
- Check the fluid regularly, especially in hot weather, and top it off if necessary. Be sure to use distilled water.
- Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.
- When a car battery replacement is inevitable, always replace it with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
Need a quality car battery replacement? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Contrary to what many vehicle owners think, summer's hot temperatures can create major problems with your car battery. According to the Car Care Council, it is heat, not cold, that shortens battery life. The average car battery will last about three and a half years. However, excessive heat and overcharging are two main conditions that will shorten its life, resulting in a car battery replacement sooner than expected. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, causing damage to the internal structure, and amalfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, can allow too high a charging rate
A car battery will fail in the case of . . .
- Faulty Cable Connections - Cables from the battery posts deliver power to the car's starter. When the screws attaching these cables work loose, the electrical current is interrupted and your car probably won't start at all. Just tightening the connection cables will take care of this problem.
- Corrosion Buildup - If the cables are in good condition, corrosion could be the culprit. Corrosion is an acid by-product that accumulates around the posts, until the electrical connection grows weaker and weaker. Simply removing the corrosion should correct this problem.
- Inactivity - If you have not started your car for more than 2 weeks, the alternator has not been able to keep the battery charged, and the power slowly drains away. Remember to start an idle vehicle every week or so.
A few informational tips to help vehicle owners prolong the life of their car battery:
- Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
- Check the fluid regularly, especially in hot weather, and top it off if necessary. Be sure to use distilled water.
- Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.
- When a car battery replacement is inevitable, always replace it with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
Need a quality car battery replacement? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
