Car Battery: Precautions to Take this Summer

Before you hit the road this summer to drive around the province or even the country, you must make sure your vehicle operates properly and is not about to break down. Among the many things to check before you go on an adventure, have you thought about your battery? 

It’s good to know that heat affects a car battery like winter’s low temperatures do. They make it work harder, and if you are not careful, it could wear out prematurely and you’ll have to replace it sooner than expected.  

As explained by CAA-Québec, a battery produces electricity by means of a chemical reaction that intensifies when the weather is very hot. Temperatures inside your vehicle’s engine bay can easily reach 150°C under the blazing sun!  

The cabin can also become very hot with the greenhouse effect, but go easy on the A/C because it also increases the air temperature under the hood. This added heat accelerates the chemical reaction inside the battery, which shortens its lifespan.

Check Your Battery

By the way, in what condition is your battery? Have it checked during your next appointment with your dealer or independent repair shop, as CAA-Quebec recommends. Also ask the technician to clean the battery’s terminals and connectors. After three years or more, it’s not rare to see a lot of dirt and oxidation there. A good cleaning will prevent rust from damaging the battery.  

If the battery casing shows signs of bulging, cracking or leaks, this is a hazard and you must replace it immediately. In addition, if the battery charge indicator lights up on your dashboard, make an appointment as soon as possible before you end up with a dead battery.

Another piece of advice is to use a trickle charger to keep your battery full if you will not use your car for several days or weeks. This device plugs into a domestic power outlet and transfers energy to your battery to maintain its optimal charge.

Regarding electric vehicles, their high-voltage battery also contains liquid to cool its various components. If you have been on a long journey, some elements of the battery’s cooling system might require maintenance too.