Page 14 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – May/June 2022

SAFETY ZONE
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot:
How Car Batteries Fall Victim to Overheating
By Casey Johnson, Communications Specialist
You’re not the only one sweating the heat.
Excessive temperatures can have a detrimental effect on your car’s battery, causing it to overheat and possibly fail. Did you know that for every 15 degrees over 77 degrees, the battery life is cut in half? In fact, excessive heat and overcharging are the most common causes of a decrease in a battery’s lifespan.
So, what’s happening in that black box under your hood? When subjected to prolonged high temperatures, the active acid within the battery evaporates. As the electrolyte in a battery dissipates, the plates are exposed to air and the chemical reactions are no longer efficient
or effective. As this process takes place, the battery experiences accelerated corrosion, leading to a much shorter lifespan. While you can’t control mother nature, you can take steps to prevent your battery’s early demise.
Test Your Battery
Car batteries last on average for three to six years. However, excessive heat can speed up this process. If your battery is already dwindling, a sweltering day could push it over the edge. One of the AAA Battery Service Technicians can come to you to test your battery and make sure it’s ready for the dog days of summer.
Performance Necessary Maintenance
Add car battery maintenance to your spring cleaning. Dirt acts as a conductor, draining critical battery power. It’s important to make sure your battery and battery
posts are kept clean. You also should perform a visual inspection every few months to ensure the battery is free of corrosion. And while you may be ready to take the road less traveled this summer, ensure the hold-down brackets are properly securing your battery: vibration is another battery downfall.
Regularly Drive Your Car
If your vehicle sits dormant for an extended period,
it may need some TLC. Driving your vehicle for at
least 30 minutes per week, preferably on the highway without stop-and-go traffic, gives it a good workout. If your vehicle is left unattended for two weeks or longer, attaching a Battery Tender will help it maintain the proper charge for your car battery when it’s not in use.
Cover Up and Power Down
In the same way sunscreen protects your skin, a car cover helps protect your battery. Reduce exposure to heat by parking in a garage or a shady area during the day. When you aren’t running your engine, it’s also best to power down electronics like the radio to reduce further drain on your battery’s power.
The AAA Mobile Battery Service Program
The AAA Mobile Battery Service Program is here when you need us. When the time comes to replace your battery, a Battery Service Technician can come to you – on the road, on vacation, at home, almost anywhere – to deliver and replace it onsite. They also safely recycle your old battery.
Visit AAA.com/CarBatteryQuote or call 518-426-1000 for car battery service.
14 I MAY/JUNE 2022