Talks About Cars

DIY Network and The Car Care Council wants to educate drivers about the problems that can be encountered by car batteries during this summer. With the excessive heat, car batteries are more prone to damage, and can result to malfunction. Drivers and car owners like us should know that the average car battery life is much shorter in warm regions compared to other areas in the country. The Car Care Council also said that batteries that are three years old or more should be replaced to ensure safety and avoid car troubles.

Anyway, check out these frequently asked questions (FAQs) about battery maintenance, from DIY Network and The Car Care Council.

How does heat impact batteries?
- Corrosion caused by heat is the leading cause of battery failure.
- Many batteries that fail in early winter had already been significantly
weakened during the hot summer months.

Does a car's age, maintenance and driving style affect battery life?
- As a car ages, mechanical components related to starting the vehicle
deteriorate, causing additional strain on the battery.
- Poor vehicle maintenance may increase the likelihood of premature
battery failure.
- Frequent starts and stops of a vehicle's engine inhibit a battery from
fully recharging. Motorists who drive very short distances are likely
to experience shorter battery life.

What are signs that my battery may be failing?
- Signs may include: dimming headlights and interior lights, slow engine
starting, "check engine" light is on or accessories failing to operate.
- Since indications of battery failure are commonly subtle and
misdiagnosed, many drivers only become aware of the condition when
their car no longer starts.

When's the best time to get my battery tested or replaced?
- Drivers should make a battery condition check a part of their cars'
regular maintenance schedule.
- If the battery is more than 3 years old, get it tested. If it's more
than 4 years old, it's best to get it replaced to avoid breakdown.
- The Car Care Council encourages drivers to proactively replace their
batteries since the chance of sudden failure increase after three
years.
- To avoid getting stranded during the hottest or coldest parts of the
year, get car batteries tested during summer and early fall.