How Heat Affects Car Batteries
Car battery performance and lifespan can be significantly impacted by temperature. Heat, in particular, poses a range of challenges to car batteries. Here’s a detailed explanation on how heat affects car batteries and what you can do to mitigate these effects.
Accelerated Chemical Reactions
High temperatures can speed up the chemical reactions inside your car battery. While this might sound beneficial, it actually leads to quicker degradation of the battery’s internal components. The accelerated reaction rates can shorten the battery’s overall lifespan, causing it to fail sooner than expected.
Increased Self-Drain Rate
When exposed to high temperatures, a car battery’s self-discharge rate increases. This means the battery loses its charge more rapidly, even if the vehicle is not in use. As a result, you might find yourself with a dead battery more frequently during hot weather.
Electrolyte (Acid) Evaporation
The electrolyte in your car battery is essential for its operation, but excessive heat can cause it to evaporate. As the electrolyte levels decrease, the battery’s performance suffers, and it may become less effective at holding a charge. In severe cases, low electrolyte levels can lead to permanent damage to the battery.
It is a little unknown fact that the standard automotive Lead-Acid battery, is factory sealed however it actually has vents. In fact, all cathode / anode electrolytic based batteries are ventilated.
Thermal Stress
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can create thermal stress on your battery. This stress can warp or damage internal components, leading to a decrease in the battery’s efficiency and potentially causing it to fail.
Reduced Battery Capacity
High temperatures can diminish your battery’s capacity to hold a charge. When a battery’s capacity is reduced, it struggles to deliver the necessary power for starting your vehicle and running electrical systems, affecting overall performance.
Increased Risk of Sulfation
Sulfation occurs when lead sulfate crystals build up on the battery’s plates, hindering its ability to charge and discharge effectively. Elevated temperatures can accelerate this process, leading to reduced battery efficiency and lifespan.
Potential for Battery Leakage
Heat increases the risk of leaks or ruptures in the battery, which can be hazardous. Battery leaks can cause damage to your vehicle and create safety risks, including potential chemical burns or fires.
Corrosion is often caused by a crack in the plastic battery housing, located near the terminal connection.
Inspect the battery for cracks
A crack in the plastic housing allows battery acid vapors to escape and contact the battery terminal, causing the corrosion.
If you find a crack in the housing, you’ll need to replace the car battery. See our article on tips for selecting the correct battery for your vehicle:
Once corrosion occurs, you may have to replace the battery terminal connector.
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