NAPA Know How: The Effect of Temperature on Battery LifeNAPA Know How Blog

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Mild temperatures are ideal for the body as well as for machines. Under extreme conditions, humans and automobiles struggle, with the latter prone to outright failure. Your car’s battery is especially susceptible when operating in adverse conditions. The effect of temperature on battery life becomes particularly evident during the winter and when it fluctuates wildly.

Extreme Temperatures

There are three things to keep in mind regarding extreme temperatures and your car battery:

1. The optimum operating temperature. A car battery operates best when the air temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, the temperature under the hood will increase once the car’s driven several miles, and will stay at an elevated temperature for the trip’s duration. That’s why when a heatwave arrives (90 degrees Fahrenheit or more), you’ll see more vehicles under duress.

2. The impact of heat degradation. Extreme heat takes its toll on vehicle systems, including the battery. Weeks, if not months, of operating your car in hot temperatures will corrode its internal components and weaken its power. The heat might not cause outright failure, but it will set the battery up for failure later.

3. Here comes the cold. Autumn and spring may supply the best conditions for a car battery. But autumn will soon give way to winter and that’s when cold air increases internal resistance and lowers capacity. Specifically, a battery operating at 100% capacity under optimum conditions will lose about half its strength when the temperature reaches 0 degrees Fahrenheit. For older and weaker batteries, capacity is already reduced, which means a cold snap can do them in. Increased pressure on battery life also occurs when temperatures move back and forth between optimum and extreme conditions.

Battery Testing

There is not much you can do to extend battery life, as most batteries last three to five years. The average life span varies by region, with batteries in northerly climates lasting an average of 58 months to just 41 months in the deep south.

To head off “sudden death,” you should regularly inspect your battery. In particular, ensure that it’s secure in the engine bay, that the terminals are free of corrosion buildup and properly connected, and by testing its charge with a multimeter.

But that’s not enough: You should go one step further by having the battery load tested annually to determine its cold-cranking amps. This test, which involves connecting the battery to a load-testing machine, will demonstrate the battery’s ability to hold voltage. The results will help you decide whether to keep your battery or replace it.

Battery Replacement

If your battery is still in working order but is nearing the end of its life cycle, you can avoid a breakdown by replacing it immediately. Recycle the old battery at the store when you purchase a new one, or find a recycling facility that accepts them.

Remember these tips about the effect of temperature on battery life to avoid disasters and maintain the health of your car year-round.

Check out all the car batteries available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how climates affect car performance, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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NAPA Know How: What Do They Really Do?NAPA Know How Blog

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Bug splatter is a significant deal, especially if you drive in the early evening and in conditions that are hot and muggy. Within minutes, your grille, hood, and windshield may be covered with hundreds of dead insects, potentially impairing visibility and ruining your paint. Bug shields are the solution to this conundrum and a low-cost remedy you can install yourself.

Your Vehicle, the Bug Magnet

Insects rove throughout the day and include the usual flies, stinging insects such as bees, and butterflies. You may find yourself driving straight into a swarm of bugs, or they may find your car’s reflectors or daytime running lights an allurement.

When your headlights and taillights are on, especially at night, your vehicle’s bug magnetism becomes heightened. If the insect mix at twilight seems different (and larger), you’re correct. Moths, which we know are easily attracted to a flame, are also drawn to your headlights in the same way. Instead of burning up in a propane light, moths and other insects will crush themselves on the surface of your fast-moving car.

In some areas of the country, in particular Texas, insects high in acidity known as “love bugs” take flight in late spring and again as summer gives way to fall in search of a soul mate. Once they make contact with your paint, the damage begins. And unless you take immediate action, you may find the remedy involves costly detailing.

How to Prevent Bug Splatter

Fortunately, your vehicle need not become a bug magnet. Or at least not something bugs can adhere to. The solution is a simple and low-cost one, where you’ll install a bug shield on your vehicle.

Bug shields, also known as air deflectors, span your hood’s leading-edge, running from side to side. They’re customized for your make/model vehicle to ensure a precise fit. You can understand how a shield works the moment you begin driving as it pushes the airstream upward at the front section of your vehicle. In this case, bugs sail over the roof instead of landing on your hood or windshield.

Deflectors have changed over the years for improved effectiveness. Early bug shields were simply tall, upright pieces of plexiglass attached to the front of the vehicle. Sometimes they worked quite well, but not always. What researchers found is that deflector height isn’t nearly as important as the fit. Because vehicle designs vary so much, the only way to ensure that a shield works is to design it specifically for a particular make/model. Thus, the custom design means that the deflector not only is optimally designed and fitted but looks great too. Importantly, they’re easy to install with no drilling required.

Not every insect will deflect as some will smash right into the shield. That’s acceptable as bug shields can handle any mess. You’ll simply clean the shield as you would the rest of your vehicle.

Bugs, begone!

Bug shields serving in their joint role as air deflectors can also keep tiny pebbles and some road debris from hitting your windshield. You’ll still want to keep your distance from a salt-spreader, but at least what does hit your vehicle stands a chance of getting deflected.

Check out all the paint & body products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on bug shields, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

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