Beat the Heat: The Best Car Battery for Hot Weather

Everyone knows that freezing temperatures can damage your car’s battery. But did you know high heat can be just as bad? 

If you live in a hot climate it is a good idea to get a special battery that can withstand the heat. Read this guide to learn about the best car battery for hot weather and how to keep your battery running. 

Car Battery Basics

A car battery is what helps start your vehicle. Most car batteries rely on a chemical reaction to start your vehicle. The lead-acid battery uses the chemical reaction between the lead and acid to get your car moving. 

These batteries fall into the SLI category. SLI stands for starting lighting and ignition. It provides a short burst of energy that powers your lights, engine, and vehicle accessories like computer navigation systems and the radio. 

Once your car receives the initial burst on energy the alternator supplies the rest of the power needed. Most vehicles come stocked with an SLI battery from the dealership.

Battery Voltage

Voltage refers to the amount of energy your battery can potentially hold. The standard auto battery is a 12-volt battery. These batteries contain 6 cells that hold 2.1 volts when fully charged. 

A car battery is considered fully charged when it is 12.6 colts or higher. When a car battery drops even slightly there can be a big difference in your vehicle’s performance. 

How Does Heat Affect Your Vehicle’s Battery?

If you live in a warmer climate this can have an impact on your vehicle. How long do car batteries last in climates that are warmer can depend on a number of these such as the type of battery and how you care for it. 

The standard car battery does well in temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or about 32 degrees Celcius. Anything above that can be big trouble for your stock battery. 

Common Heat-Related Problems

Hot weather can be more harmful to your battery than cold weather. The average battery should last you 5 to 7 years but if you live in a warmer climate that might not be the case. 

High heat can accelerate your battery’s chemical reaction and this may cause your battery fluid to evaporate. The evaporation of battery fluid can cause internal damage to your vehicle’s battery. 

Keep your battery in tip-top shape by keeping it clean. Always check your terminals and scrub any corrosion off of them regularly. You can also have your battery checked regularly to see if it is fully charged. 

The Best Car Battery for Hot Weather 

The best car battery for heat depends on what type of car you drive. A maintenance-free battery is built with overheating protection. It has ventilation in the battery that helps keep the battery cool. 

A dry charged automotive battery also provides your vehicle with more power. These batteries can be the best car battery for heat because they can provide that extra jolt to get your car started even on the hottest day. 

Buying a battery made for hotter climates can help your car battery last longer. The best car battery for your car is generally the one recommended by your car’s manufacturer. 

Other Things to Consider

• Check the battery size. Vehicle batteries come in a wide range of sizes, lengths, and widths. Read your car’s owner’s manual to see what size battery will fit in your car. If you get a battery that is too big it might not fit under your hood. A battery that is too small can become damaged from excess movement. 
• Ask about the reserve capacity.  The reserve capacity is the amount of time a battery can run on its own power without the engine before it shuts off. This is helpful if you sit in your car to use the airconditioning without turning the car on. Opt for a battery that gives you at least 10 hours of reserve capacity so you won’t be stranded. 
• What about maintenance? Some car batteries do require some maintenance while others are maintenance-free. Ask if you need to add water to the car battery or if there are any procedures you should be aware of before you make the purchase. Sometimes the cheapest batteries require maintenance. 

Car Battery Maintenance

There are several things you can do to help maintain your car battery. First buying the longest-lasting car battery is already a step in the right direction. Keep in mind even the longest-lasting car batteries will still only last 5 to 7 years tops. 

Battery Maintenance Tips

Try limiting your trips. Going on long drives prevents your vehicle’s battery from fully charging. You can maintain your battery’s power by driving it frequently for shorter periods. 

Keep your battery terminals tightened firmly. If your battery is bouncing around under the hood it can damage the life of the battery.

Turn off all the lights and car accessories when you exit the vehicle. These can significantly reduce the amount of power your battery has. 

Get your battery tested. You should check your battery at least once a year. Take it to an auto parts store for a free test or ask your mechanic to check it next time you bring the car in. Stay on top of the life of your battery to prevent a surprise dead battery. 

Care for your whole car. You can’t simply care for your car’s battery. You must also look at the rest of the car. 

All the parts of your car work together. When one part is out of whack the battery could be drained. Take your car in for regular tune-ups to keep your battery and your car running well. 

Don’t Let Hot Weather Drain Your Battery

Most people don’t realize how damaging hot weather can be to their car’s battery. Follow these tips to buy the best car battery for hot weather and then make sure you take care of your battery to get the most out of it. 

RB Battery has many different styles of vehicle batteries. Contact them today to find out which battery is best for your vehicle.