Can your car battery handle the heat?

Avoid deadly distractions behind the wheel

Not texting is a start, but there's more to safe driving. Here’s the bad news: Distracted driving causes thousands of accidents every year, many of them fatal. The good news? If you're driving, it's 100% preventable. You've seen them around your city or town. You may...

10 Tips to Protect Your Car’s Suspension System

Your vehicle's suspension system ensures a smooth and safe ride, protecting critical components from wear and tear. Understanding and maintaining the components of the system is essential, not just for comfort but also for the stability of the car on rough roads....

The what, why and how of a Vehicle Identification Number

If you’ve ever bought motor insurance, you’re likely to have come across the terms Vehicle Identification Number or VIN and chassis number. You must wonder why insurance companies insist on having this information. That’s because VIN is like a genetic identifier for...

What Is ORVM In Car And How Does It Work?

When you adjust the side mirrors before driving, you deal with the Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs). These mirrors are essential for safe driving, helping you see what’s happening beside and behind your car. This post will discuss what ORVMs are, how they function,...

How to Track a Vehicle with GPS: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

GPS-based vehicle tracking is today, one of the most helpful tools since it can be employed by any individual or company who wishes to keep track of their cars, trucks or any other vehicle. Thanks to today’s cheap GPS tracking devices, a vehicle owner can easily place...

How To Rebuild Your No Claims Bonus After An Accident

If you’ve had an accident, it can feel like all the good work you’ve put into building your No Claims Bonus (NCB) has gone down the drain. But here’s some good news, you can rebuild it. Your NCB in car insurance works like a reward for safe driving, and that lovely...

Safety Tips For Driving In Floods

Often when we get stuck while driving through floods we panic and force through the water. Instead you need to stay calm and follow these instructions. Situation One: Water Level Is Above Tyre Level  When water level is above the tyre level it's no use forcing...

Car Defogger and How to Use Them?

Have you ever experienced your car windows and windshield suddenly fogging up? It can be scary since poor visibility may cause a dangerous road accident. Driving in the cold or rainy seasons can often lead to foggy windows. This is a common problem, and can quickly...

How to choose the right commercial insurance policy

Unpredictability is the only predictable thing about business right now. Over the past few unprecedented data breaches, and global pandemics have all taken front stage in the insurance industry. And no business is immune.  With the range of commercial insurance...

Car Starting Problems: Reasons, Fixes, & Troubleshooting

Car starting problems are common for any car owner and are often a nuisance. Whether it's a car self-start problem or issues with the car's self-motor, understanding the underlying causes can help you address them quickly and efficiently. Common Reasons for Car Not...

As hard as it may be to believe, high temperatures do pose a threat to your car battery. The heat causes the battery fluid to evaporate, resulting in damage to the internal structures of your car battery. Extreme heat, like 35°C, combined with high temperatures under the bonnet, accelerates corrosion of car batteries. So, if you’re feeling the heat this summer, spare a moment to consider what your car’s battery could be going through.

Here are some tips to help your car battery handle the heat:

  • Preventive maintenance goes a long way when it comes to prolonging the life of your car battery. Why not take a few minutes to read about your car’s battery and familiarise yourself with it. Knowing what kind of battery your car has, where it is, how to safely clean it and what the indicator lights inside your car are telling you will help you in taking the necessary measures to ensuring the longevity of your battery’s operations.
  • If your battery has removable filler caps, open the caps and check the water level in each cell. Make sure the plates are covered by the fluid inside. If the water level is low, add distilled water until the plates are covered. Don’t use tap water. Avoid overfilling, especially in hot weather, because the heat can cause the solution inside to expand and overflow. If you’re scared to try this on your own, ask the petrol attendant for assistance during your next fuel-up stop.
  • Keep the top of the battery clean at all times! Dirt can double-up as a power draining conductor. Also, as corrosion accumulates on the battery terminals it becomes an insulator, preventing current flow. Clean up the battery connections by removing any corrosion, lead oxidation or paint from the top of the battery with a scouring pad or brass brush.
  • Do a visual inspection to see if the battery case is bulging, cracked or leaking. If it is, it’s time to replace it! It is advisable to have your battery and electrical system professionally tested every 3 to 6 months and especially before heading out on a trip.

Usually, a car battery can last from 3 – 5 years in optimal conditions. But ultimately, your battery’s life span will be determined by your usage and other factors like how much heat it’s exposed to.