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: 4 Signs of a Failing Battery

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Fully electric vehicles might save you gas money, but they have other drawbacks at this stage in development. Hybrid vehicles attempt to take the best parts of electric and conventional combustion engines to give drivers something with competitive performance that is cost-effective, reliable and more sustainable for the planet. The electric battery and motors power movement where they can and the combustion engine kicks on to recharge the battery or at times when it’s needed by the system. Therefore, you’ll see both gas mileage and state of charge (SOC) at play. Here are some hybrid battery tips for recognizing the signs of a battery on its way out.

1. You’ve Got Gas

If you observe a noticeable decrease in fuel economy, it could be a failing battery pack. That’s because when the battery doesn’t have the power to do its share or it isn’t charging properly, the vehicle will rely much more heavily on the combustion engine, which will, in turn, require more fuel than usual. So if you’re making frequent stops at the gas station, take it to a trusted technician to figure out why.

2. Charge!

A battery is only as good as its charge. And there is plenty that can go wrong there: undercharging, overcharging, high rate of discharge, parasitic drains … even mechanical problems like bent pins, corrosion, and bad or damaged wiring. When working properly, the battery can be expected to lose charge, but only in a very reliable way. If you park your car overnight with a full charge, but return to the vehicle in the morning and find it to be low, that’s a solid indication of a battery issue.

3. Ups and Downs

Another sign to look for is big swings in the state of charge. Is it showing full one minute and low the next? Is it gaining and losing charge way too quickly? This indicates the battery may not be holding a proper charge or is overcharging or both.

4. Did You Hear That?

Strange sounds, a combustion engine that kicks in too often or a fan that seems to be blowing all the time could all be caused by battery issues. If the combustion engine is on too much, that means the battery isn’t doing its job. A near constant running of the electric fan means the battery is often running hot, which isn’t good for the battery or the components surrounding it.

Of course, there’s always the old warning lights on the dash to look out for. In any case, whether your car is telling you something is wrong in lights or you simply suspect something is off, it’s important to take your hybrid to a trusted mechanic for an inspection. By using these hybrid battery tips, you can catch a problem with your hybrid car’s battery before it leaves you completely stranded.

Check out all the electrical system products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 16,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to spot a failing hybrid battery pack, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photos courtesy of Blair Lampe.

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