When you think of battery problems, you probably think about a dead car battery on a cold winter’s morning. However, summer’s heat – such as what’s projected for the coming weekend - can be more damaging to your car’s battery than the snow and cold of winter.
During the heat of the summer months, high temperatures can evaporate your battery's vital liquids and weaken its charge. Additionally, hot temperatures can speed up the corrosion process. Corrosion will irreversibly damage the internal structure of the battery, and it’s even worse when your battery is down on fluids.
There are a few things you can do on your own to help your battery keep its cool:
Keep it clean
Keep dirt and debris from the top of the battery. Grease and dirt buildup can drain your battery’s power. Routinely examine the battery for dirt and immediately remove any buildup.
Secure it
Make sure the battery is securely mounted in place and that the cables are on tight. If your battery isn’t installed correctly, you’ll see diminished performance.
Watch for corrosion
As temperatures get higher outside, they also increase within your engine. This increased heat can cause corrosion inside your battery which can result in inhibited current flow. Inspect your battery on a regular basis for signs of corrosion. Clean any corrosion with a copper brush or a scouring pad.
Look for damage
Examine the battery for signs of leaks, cracks or bulges. If you notice any of these issues, it is time to replace your battery before it leaves you stranded.
Change Your Battery
If your battery is more than three years old, consider changing it. As your battery ages, the chances for failure increases with every passing year. To find out the age of your battery, look for four- or five-digit code. At the beginning of the code is a letter and number. The letter indicates the month – A is for January, B is for February and so on – while the number is for the year – for example, 9 is for 2009 and 1 is for 2011.
Our GM Certified Service Centre offers a battery test service. Our certified technicians will perform a load test and undertake a visual inspection of the battery and its case.
