OIL CHANGE TIPS
Why car batteries die in the Midlands heat
Most people blame cold mornings for dead batteries, but heat does most of the damage. Summer heat speeds up the chemical wear inside a battery, and the cold just exposes a battery that was already weak.
Why heat is so hard on batteries
A car battery makes power through a chemical reaction. High temperatures speed up that reaction all the time, including the wear and corrosion inside the battery. Under the hood on a Midlands summer afternoon, temperatures run far higher than the air outside.
Batteries commonly last around three to five years, and in hot climates like ours they often land at the shorter end of that range.
Warning signs
- The engine cranks slowly, especially after the car sits
- Headlights or the dash dim when you start the car
- A battery or charging light on the dash
- White or blue crusty corrosion on the terminals
- The battery is three or more years old and has never been tested
Why a load test beats guessing
A battery can show normal voltage and still fail under load. A load test checks how the battery holds up when it's actually asked to start the engine, which tells you how much life is left before it strands you.
Simple ways to help it last
- Park in the shade or a garage when you can
- Keep the terminals clean and tight
- Avoid lots of very short trips that never let the battery recharge
- Have it tested once a year after it hits three years old
Every Lube Lizards oil change includes a battery load test, so you'll know how much life is left before it strands you. Serving Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, Cayce, Chapin and Red Bank.
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