If you live in Arizona, you’re all too familiar with its famously hot weather. Not only can this mean higher cooling bills and more time spent indoors, but it can also mean a higher chance of discovering that your car battery has died. At Barnett’s Towing, we often respond to calls from drivers stranded due to dead batteries, a common issue in our state. Why do car batteries tend to die faster in Arizona? Here’s a hint: it’s the heat.
1. Heat Accelerates Fluid Evaporation
Car batteries operate through a chemical reaction that is facilitated by certain fluids inside the battery. In Arizona, where summer temperatures can easily go above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat can cause these essential fluids to evaporate. This evaporation can diminish the battery’s ability to hold a charge. As the fluid levels decrease, the battery’s internal components can be exposed to air and other elements. This exposure can cause corrosion and shorten battery life.
2. Increased Load on the Battery
The Arizona heat not only directly affects your car battery’s fluids but also puts additional strain on its overall performance. For instance, the use of air conditioning is almost non-stop during the hot months, and this puts more wear and tear on the battery.
3. Voltage Stability and Heat
Your car battery runs most efficiently at certain temperatures. Extreme heat can cause the voltage regulator, which helps charge the battery while the engine runs, to falter. If the regulator overheats, it may fail to properly manage the charging process, leading to overcharging. Overcharging a battery can significantly reduce its lifespan by causing further fluid evaporation and damage to the internal cells.
4. Shorter Trips, More Wear
In urban areas of Arizona, drivers may take shorter trips to avoid the heat or because city living doesn’t require long commutes. Shorter trips can prevent the battery from fully charging, which chronically keeps it at a low charge state. This frequent undercharging leads to ‘sulfation’ where lead sulfate crystals build up on the battery’s internals.
How to Protect Your Car Battery from High Temperatures
Try some of these expert tips from our auto body experts to make sure battery last as long as possible and reduce your risk of a dead car battery:
- Regularly Check Battery Fluid Levels: Make sure your fluid levels are adequate and top them up if necessary. Most batteries have a translucent casing where fluid levels can be checked.
- Keep Your Battery Clean: Dirt and grease can insulate and trap heat around the battery. Keeping it clean helps to avoid excessive heat build-up.
- Use a Battery Insulator: Battery insulators can help protect your battery from extreme temperatures.
- Regular Battery Checks: Regular maintenance checks can catch battery issues before they stop your car from starting.
Dead Car Battery? Contact Barnett’s Towing for Reliable Towing Service in Arizona Today
If your car battery has died and left you stranded, call Barnett’s Towing for fast and reliable towing services. We offer 24/7 towing services throughout Arizona. Get in touch with us today to schedule your towing service!
