Hot Weather and Battery Trouble

Summer time is here and it is the season for battery problems. It is a fact that heat will shorten the life of a battery much more than cold does.

Too much heat and battery overcharging are the top reasons that the life of a battery is shortened. When the battery gets hot, the battery fluid starts evaporating and it damages the internal structure. Then the voltage regulator begins to permit the charging rate to become too high. This will slowly kill your battery.

Many people think cold weather does more damage to a battery; but there are only problems because engine oil starts to thicken and it makes the engine harder to turn over. It is also hard to start a car in cold weather because there is slower electro-chemical action that powers the battery.

Battery trouble is a common problem for automobile owners; in fact, about one of four vehicles will get a new battery each year. Your car's battery will need to be replaced in the time you have it, but you can help to lengthen your battery's life by doing these things:

• Make sure the electrical system is charging at the right rate; not over charging or undercharging.
• If you have a battery that always needs to be topped off, check it often, this is very important when it is hot out. You should also be adding distilled water when needed.
• When you replace your battery make sure the new one is rated as high as the original.
• Keep your battery clean because dirt and other corrosion will damage the battery and shorten the life of it.