Is summer heat bad for car batteries? What to know as North Texas’ 100-degree days continue
North Texans and their pets should avoid spending too long outside during excessive heat, but it turns out the heat is also bad for vehicles too.
Summer heat can be harder on car batteries than winter weather, according to the American Automobile Association.
Most car batteries have a three-to-five year life even with proper maintenance, according to AAA. Excessive heat, like the summer weather felt in North Texas, can cause battery failure and reduce a battery’s life.
How to prevent a car battery from dying in the Texas heat
There are some ways to reduce the risk of battery failure in the summer.
Consumer Reports recommends driving the vehicle regularly for trips of 20 minutes or longer to charge the battery.
If you’re traveling and plan to leave your vehicle parked for a week or longer, a BatteryMINDer or smart charger can also help replenish battery.
Parking in a shaded area or inside a garage when possible is recommended by Consumer Reports to limit heat exposure.
Avoid running the vehicle just for the radio, air conditioning or lights without driving it. This can drain the battery, even if it’s parked in the shade.
AAA recommends getting your car battery checked and to make sure battery cables have a clean and tight connection to battery terminals.
