Is your car battery always dying? While many assume its cold
weather that kills batteries, they are actually more adversely affected by
heat. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging the internal
structure of the battery. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your battery as
the seasons change from hotter to cooler or if you’ve been driving in a hot
part of the country.
To get the most life out of a battery, be sure the
electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a
battery as quickly as undercharging. Also, keep the top of the battery clean.
Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion
accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current
flow.