Summer’s extreme temperatures can
destroy a vehicle’s battery. The Car Care Council advises vehicle owners to
have their cars’ batteries tested periodically and replaced, if necessary, to
avoid being stranded.
Excessive heat and overcharging
shortens the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which
then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component
in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a
charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery.
“When most motorists think of dead
batteries that cause starting failure, they think of severe winter weather, but
summer heat is the real culprit,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care
Council. “Many battery problems start long before the temperatures drop. A few
simple steps now can help you avoid the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown
later.”
To get the most life out of a battery,
the Car Care Council suggests the following:
• Be sure the electrical system is
charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as
undercharging.
• If your battery is the type that
needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add
distilled water when necessary.
• Always replace a battery with one
that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
• 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.
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