| It has been
an especially hot summer in Texas and we are seeing more and more
vehicles with battery related problems. We are all familiar with the
sound a vehicle makes when it just does not have enough juice to start,
but sometimes a battery problem is not as easy to spot. Most
importantly, we just don’t like to see you on the side of the road for
something that is so easy to test.
Almost all of us have climbed into our car to find that it simply won’t
start, and the most common problem is that the car battery is dead.
Oddly enough, most batteries here in Texas only last for about 33 months.
It seems like the cold weather is hard on batteries because that is frequently when your car won't start. The damage is actually done by the heat. The heat makes your battery weak and when it is cold out your vehicle needs a lot more juice to turn over the cold engine. So, that is when you see the problem.
The heat in Texas has been very extreme this year that the batteries are even failing to start warm engines. I have seen more
vehicles towed in for battery failures than I have ever seen before –
and we all know I am old and have been here a really long time!
Here are some reasons that batteries fail, especially during the hot Texas summer:
“It’s Hot In Texas”
As a rule batteries in very cold climates last about 60 percent
longer than they do here in the South. It falls down to simple physics
as batteries rely on chemical reactions that are accelerated in the
heat. It takes less than a day for a car battery to start to discharge
in the heat. When a battery is left partially discharged the portion
that is discharged quits working – it dies. To make matters worse the
“dead” part of the battery plate will not recharge, so the battery is
just never the same.
“I Just Don’t Drive Very Much”
Those short trips to the grocery store and to drop off the kids at
school can greatly accelerate the death of your battery. By driving
short distances the alternator does not have enough time to completely
recharge your battery. Chances are when you pull back into your
driveway after a short trip your battery is not fully charged yet.
“My Vehicle Multi-tasks Almost As Good As I Do”
So many vehicles have everything from navigation systems and MP3
players to heated seats and steering wheels. Then we plug in our cell
phones, power adapters and curling irons! Gee, somehow I am not
surprised that our batteries become partially discharged.
How To Extend Your Car Battery Life:
Some experts will suggest that you use a trickle charger that tops
off your battery. Charging a battery successfully is a little trickier
than one would first assume. If you choose to do this, it is worth
buying an automatic version that will stop charging when your battery is
fully changed or you may do more harm than good.
5 Simple Suggestions:
- Have your battery checked regularly so that you can avoid it failing
in a bad place. It is a simple free check that can save you a tow bill
and a lot of frustration.
- Keep your battery clean. Grease can hold heat and corrosion on the terminals can add to electrical problems in your vehicle.
- Keep your battery cool. Well, this is next to impossible to do,
but if you are able to park in the shade or inside of a cool garage your
car will be a little cooler when you climb in and a little easier on
your battery too.
- Always purchase a quality battery that meets factory specifications
on your vehicle. While they will be more expensive they will last longer
than a battery that does not fit correctly or does not carry enough
amperage to start your vehicle.
- Always use caution with your car battery. If we can help, just give us a call or stop by anytime.
In the meantime, happy driving from all of us at Beckwith’s Car Care.
Lynn Beckwith
That Car Lady
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