Have you ever faced trouble for your car in the summer? If yes, then you have come to the right place. Our cars also can feel sluggish in the hot weather like us. Now you are probably thinking why the car battery suffers in summer?
In this article, I am going to share with you the causes of car battery breakdown and to answer the question, can hot weather affect car battery or not.
If your car is causing trouble for excessive heat of the summer, you should go through this article. It will help you to maintain your car battery and last for a long time.
How Does Heat Affect Battery Life:
Extreme high temperature causes the evaporation of the vital liquids of your car. When a battery gets extremely hot, the internal components start to corrode and thus the car battery dies in heat.
Also, the extreme temperature increases the corrosion of the battery, which is an irreversible damage of the internal components of your car battery.
Though most of the batteries are sealed, and do not need maintenance, many batteries need some care. So, always keep a water level indicator to see if the water level is low or not.
Due to the extreme summer heat, the electric components put a constant drain to the battery. As a result it increases the sulfate amount that can harm to the car battery.
If the age of your car battery is more than three years, and if the temperature arises 90s or more, it can be a serious problem for your car. To know if the car is at risk or not, you can go through a corrosion test of your car.
How to Check the Battery Status of Your Car?
You can check your car battery status at home by using some small gadgets. Now I am going to share some ways about how can you check the battery easily—
1.Checking the Battery with Voltmeter:
- At first you will need to turn off the ignition.
- Now remove the positive terminal cover of the battery, then check the battery terminal carefully and clean it.
- Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to the battery's positive terminal.
- In the same way, connect the negative lead to the battery's negative terminal.
- If the voltage shows in between 12.4-12.7 volts, the battery condition is good.
- If the reading is 12.4 volts or lower than that, it indicates that the battery needs charge.
- If the reading shows over 12.9 volts, it indicates excessive voltage or over charging of the battery.
2.Checking the Battery with Hydrometer:
- The degree of acidity of the battery plates are checked by this gadget.
- Firstly, you will need to open the plate cover from the top of the battery.
- Now drop the hydrometer to the first cell, press the hydrometer cover.
- When you release the lid, there will be electricity flowing into the hydrometer.
- Now measure the value of specific gravity of electrolyte, and repeat this test again with other cell.
- The normal reading should be in between 1.265-1.299. If the reading shows below the normal level, it indicates the battery is uncharged.
- Do not forget to wear gloves while using the hydrometer, cause the battery acid is not safe for your skin.
3.Checking the Battery with Power Probe:
- Take aside the positive terminal cover of the battery.
- Now connect the positive lead of the Power Probe to the battery's positive terminal.
- Connect the negative lead of the Power Probe to the battery's negative terminal.
- Attach the tip of the Power Probe and the positive terminal of the battery together.
- To check the voltage, look at the Power Probe reading. The normal voltage of your battery should be in between 12.4 to 12.7 volts.
4.Checking the Physical Inspection:
- You can physically examine the car battery to detect any types of cracks.
- At first, disconnect the terminals of the battery and remove it from the car.
- Now check the surface of the battery if there is any bulge formed or not.
- Now check the insulator. You must replace the battery if it is cracked.
- You should also check the battery carrier if any corrosion occurs or not.
- Quote some grease or vaseline to the poles before you close it to prevent the corrosion.
5.Other Ways of Checking the Battery:
- Headlights: If the headlights are more dark than usual, it indicates the battery is low.
If there is no change of the brightness of headlights, it indicates the battery is fine.
- Battery Health Indicator: It is found in the modern cars that are attached with the battery.
While turning the ignition on, the arrow moves to the red or green sign, that indicates the battery status.
- Load Test: You will need a battery tester for load test. Do not forget to charge the battery fully before performing the test.
- Ammeter: The incoming and outgoing charge is checked by the ammeter. If it shows full incoming charge, the battery is fine.
Bottom Line:
If you have any doubt about your car battery, you should not delay to check it. Specially in the summer, when you feel extremely inert, you need to remember the battery of the car can feel the same way.
So it is better to take some precaution to keep your car safe from the excessive heat of summer.
