Tips for Maintaining Your Vehicle Battery in Hot Weather

As temperatures continue to rise during the summer months, it’s important to take extra care of your vehicle battery to ensure optimal performance and reliability. High temperatures can lead to accelerated aging and reduce the lifespan of your battery.

Exposing a 12V battery to intense heat causes the electrolyte to evaporate more quickly and speeds up internal corrosion. Contrary to popular belief, warm weather actually shortens the life expectancy of a battery. Heat increases the rate of discharge, meaning you need to charge your battery more often.

To prevent over-heating and damage to your battery, temperature compensation reduces the charge going into the battery. Overcharging can cause desiccation, where the battery loses water due to evaporation and the charging plates become exposed and dry out, leading to irreparable damage.

During the summer, your vehicle may still start even if the battery is discharged. However, when the battery falls below 12.4V, a process called sulphation occurs where sulphate crystals accumulate on the battery plates. By the time you notice the problem, it may be too late.

To maintain your battery’s performance and reliability in hot weather, here are some tips:

1. Check the condition of your battery regularly. High temperatures can shorten its overall lifespan and lead to internal damage. Address any issues promptly to prevent breakdowns.

2. Understand how heat affects your battery. Corrosion can speed up and intensify in high temperatures, while water inside the battery can evaporate. Be aware of these factors.

3. Be sensitive to changes in your vehicle’s operation. Dimming lights or slower-starting may indicate a weak battery or electrical system problems.

4. Charge your battery fully before you go. Regular driving only charges your battery to around 80% capacity. Use an efficient battery charger like CTEK’s MXS 5.0 to reach 100% charge.

5. Carry emergency supplies in case of breakdowns. These may include a spare tire, a portable battery charger like CTEK CS FREE®, flashlight, extra water, and a first aid kit.

Consider replacing your battery if its lifespan has been affected by extreme temperatures or improper care. Proper battery care, including regular charging with a reliable battery charger, can extend its life up to three times. The MXS 5.0 Charger/Maintainer from CTEK offers automatic temperature sensing and reconditioning technology for greater battery longevity.