As temperatures rise during the summer months, the heat takes a toll on car batteries, making them more susceptible to damage.

The expected battery lifespan for most of New York state is 54 months, according to AAA. Testing your battery’s health, sheltering your car from extreme temperatures and keeping up on maintenance all help with preventing premature battery failure.

“The heat is far more detrimental to a new car battery than is the cold,” Dispatch Manager at AAA Western and Central New York Dan Fisher said. “A lot of times batteries fail in the winter because of what summer put them through.

How does heat affect car batteries?
High temperatures, like those experienced in the summer months, can result in decreased performance and reduction of the battery’s overall lifespan, according to AAA.

Evaporation of a battery’s electrolyte fluid reduces its ability to hold a charge and can create sulfation, or the buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the batteries’ lead plates, slowing down the chemical to electrical reaction needed to start your vehicle, Fisher said.

What are some signs your battery might be failing?
Unfortunately, you won’t get much warning.

The car could be a little slower to turn over, there could be a delay when turning on your air conditioning or the dashboard could dim a bit, but they are split-second occurrences.

“A lot of times, it just works today and then it doesn’t tomorrow,” Fisher said.

How to protect car batteries in the summer months
Batteries tend to last 3-5 years, according to Fisher, and the best way to know how your battery is holding up is to get it tested. Drivers can either give AAA a call and they will come out and check the battery’s health or stop by a local repair shop.

“Batteries are an often forgot about maintenance item on your vehicle,” Fisher said. “Because you can’t see the battery, a lot of people forget about it until it’s too late.”

How to protect your car battery

Here are some additional ways to protect the life of your car battery.

Do
Park in the shade or a cool, dry garage
Perform regular maintenance
Check the electrolyte level
Clean the battery terminals
Use a quality battery maintenance charger if you don’t drive your car often
Take longer drives to allow the battery to fully charge

Don’t
Expose your vehicle to extreme temperatures
Add distilled water to the battery
Use the radio without the car running