21 Feb Auto Repairs 101: The Australian Summer and Proper Car Battery Care
Over the last few days, Australia has seen some of the highest temperatures ever recorded in the country. Across the continent, Aussies came up with different ways to beat the scorching heat, with some spending a day at the beach or simply staying indoors with the air con blasting cool air. Amid the intense heat wave, make sure that you don’t forget about your car. If the heat of summer is wearing you down, it’s very likely that it is affecting your car, particularly its battery, too. As such, be sure to visit experts on auto repairs if you notice something unusual with your car.
How Extremely Hot Temperatures Damage Your Battery
Contrary to popular belief, car batteries are more likely to experience problems in the summer than in the winter. In fact, according to car care experts, summer highs pose greater threat to battery life than winter lows. It is because excessive heat causes the battery fluid to evaporate. This negatively affects the internal structure of the battery, making it more prone to damage.
Overcharging is another culprit. If there’s a malfunctioning component in the battery’s charging system, the voltage regulator usually, it may lead to a very high charging rate. This results in a slow death or the battery.
When temperatures start to drop, the problems with the car battery becomes more pronounced. Colder temperatures make the engine oil much thicker. This makes the engine hard to turn over. As a result, the battery has to work harder to start the vehicle.
Taking Care of Your Car’s Battery
Your car’s battery is an important part of your vehicle. As such, if you don’t want to get a replacement sooner than you expect, you should take good care of it. Here are some tips from mechanic Richmond SA to get the most life out of your battery
1. Ensure the battery is charging properly
Both overcharging and undercharging can damage the battery. As such, ensure that the battery’s electrical system is charging at the correct rate. Take it to the nearest repair shop to know if your battery’s electrical system is in tip-top shape.
2. Keep it clean
Always keep the top of the battery clean. Otherwise, accumulated dirt can become a conductor and drain battery power. Also, corrosion can inhibit current flow to and from the battery terminals.
3. Check your battery regularly
Check your battery from time to time. If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, be sure to add distilled water when needed, especially in this hot weather.
While it may not be considered vital car spare parts, the car battery is needed to ensure the functionality of your car. As such, you must take good care of it at all times.