Why Motorists Feeling The Heat Should Consider Replacing Their Car’s Battery

This summer is shaping up to be one of the most blistering on record, with record heat levels sizzling much of the nation like so much bacon in a frying pan. Southwestern states in particular are sweltering, with daytime temperatures reaching as high as 110 degrees or more this week.

As we recently detailed in a separate post, the capacity and condition of electric-vehicle batteries can suffer significantly during periods of extremely hot weather, but so can the familiar 12-volt battery that’s housed under the hoods of all other rides on the road.

While most motorists are probably aware that winter’s icy chill can be brutally tough on a car’s battery, car-care experts caution that summer’s sizzling extremes can be just as taxing on this critical component. Among other problems, excessive heat tends to evaporate battery fluid, which can both hamper its ability to hold a charge and damage its internal structure via accelerated corrosion.

That makes it imperative as the hot weather lingers to take stock and have a vehicle’s battery tended to or replaced before being stranded with a car that won’t start. It’s always a good idea to have a mechanic check it periodically—ideally with every oil change—to see how well it’s maintaining a charge. In the meantime, here are seven signs the battery may be on its last legs with one foot in the auto graveyard:

1. The “check engine” light is on. This sometime happens when a battery is becoming weak, but it’s not prudent to wait for the dashboard warning light to caution that things are going awry.
2. The engine cranks slowly. When the starter sounds sluggish—like a murmured and belabored groan —the headlamps dim when you turn the key or press the start button, it takes longer than normal to get the engine running or you hear a clicking noise that comes from the starter, that’s a solid signal to head for the repair shop. The battery is usually at fault here, but there may be other mechanical issues that need to be addressed.
3. Battery fluid is low. Some car batteries allow owners to check the fluid level via small translucent windows. If the fluid level is below the lead plates that make up a battery’s inner structure, have a technician check the battery and charging system to ensure both are in good operating condition. If the battery has filler caps, open them and check the fluid level in each cell, replenishing it as necessary with distilled water.
4. The battery is leaking. This is manifested by excess corrosion at the battery terminals, which are the two posts to which the battery cables are connected (check the owner’s manual for specifics). This might be accompanied by a rotten-egg-like smell. Again, it’s best to take the car in to the shop and have the battery inspected to ensure it will continue to hold a charge. In the meantime, any corrosion or oxidation around the terminals can be cleaned using a soft wire brush dipped in ammonia or baking soda, then flushed with clear water. Just be sure to wear gloves as a precautionary measure. Tighten the bolts if necessary to ensure a solid connection.
5. It doesn’t look right. If the battery case appears swollen or bloated, it’s probably suffered damage suffered as a result of excessive heat, and its days are numbered.
6. The vehicle’s needed a jump-start several times already. Auto care experts suggest that if a vehicle required to jumper cables to start multiple times in a single week, the battery needs replacing.
7. Your battery is at least four years old. A car battery usually lasts anywhere from three to five years, though one’s driving situations (extreme weather conditions and taking frequent short trips) can shorten its life. Replacing an older battery is the best and cheapest insurance to prevent a breakdown.

If the vehicle’s current battery checks out, there are several ways to help ensure it will make it through another four seasons in good working order.

Keep the vehicle parked in a garage or covered parking lot—or at least in a shaded area—to help minimize exposure to the scorching sun.

Those taking predominantly shorter trips around town should drive a vehicle on the highway for occasional periods of higher-speed driving to fully charge the battery and avoid a process called acid stratification that can adversely affect its longevity. Also be aware that vehicles equipped with proximity key systems that allow an owner to unlock and start the car while keeping the key fob in his or her pocket or purse can drain a car battery’s charge when the activating fob is kept within close proximity, or is sitting inside a vehicle.

Those who tend to leave a car, truck or SUV parked for extended periods during vacations or seasons spent elsewhere should consider using a battery tender (available at auto parts stores) to assure the car will eventually start when needed.

When it’s time to go battery shopping, look for a replacement battery’s proper “group size” as noted in the owner’s manual (your mechanic or local auto parts store will also have this information at hand); this code specifies a battery’s external dimensions and ensures it will fit in the allotted space.

Note that some batteries are specifically designed for use in either colder or hotter parts of the country. Those best suited for northern states will emphasize “cold cranking amps,” which is a measure of a battery’s capacity to start an engine at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Batteries built for southern areas will have specific electrolyte-to-lead ratios formulated to maximize longevity under sizzling conditions. They may also note a unit’s extended reserve capacity that would help accessories—especially the air conditioning—avoid placing undue strain on a vehicle’s alternator; they can further provide enough power to make it home or to a repair facility should the alternator fail altogether.

Also, be sure to check the battery’s date of manufacture to assure its “freshness.” This is usually noted by a code, with a letter noting the month (with “A” being January, “B” being February, and so on), followed by a number representing the last digit in the year. Avoid buying a battery that’s been sitting on the shelf for longer than six months.

If the vehicle has an automatic start/stop function that shuts down the engine while at idle and starts it up again when the brake is disengaged, the car will likely need a specific replacement battery that’s packed with enough power to handle the extra effort.

Most auto parts stores will install a replacement battery at no charge, but do-it-yourselfers will want to wear gloves and safety glasses and proceed with caution to perform a swap. Car batteries are filled with acid and can give off hazardous hydrogen gas if mishandled.

Finally, always ensure the old battery is being properly recycled. Most repair shops and auto parts stores will accept them for this purpose, as will local recycling centers.

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