How does hot weather affect the battery on your tow vehicle, and what can you do to avoid summer battery snafus? Learn why the sizzling heat is so tough on automobile batteries, ensuring a reliable start on every summertime excursion with this battery prep advice from the experts at Ainsworth trailer repair shop.
Too Hot to Handle – Summer Heat & Vehicle Battery Chemistry
Soaring summer temperatures have a greater impact on the internal, power-generating chemistry within your car battery than winter’s chill. As heat under the hood rises, so does the potential for battery failure. Corrosion accelerates. Water evaporates from the battery liquid electrolyte. Battery performance suffers, reducing its ability to start the engine, resulting in increased strain and a shortened battery lifespan. Because of this, millions of unsuspecting motorists end up stuck roadside in the summer awaiting mobile trailer repair services annually.
Proactive Battery Service & Maintenance in the Summer is Crucial
Routine inspection of the battery, as well as other essential tow vehicle and trailer components, is a crucial part of pre-summer maintenance. How can you maintain this seemingly “closed” component?
- Have your battery tested.
Your battery may not give any warning signs before it fails. Make a routine battery test part of your annual boat trailer repair and maintenance checklist, particularly for batteries more than two years old. This simple test takes just minutes. - Clear corrosion.
Check your battery for corrosion, clearing any buildup. Ensure battery connections are tight. Your battery should also be securely mounted, as excess vibration can shorten battery life. When performing this maintenance, be sure to follow proper safety precautions for handling the battery. - Replace your battery.
Battery age is a strong indicator of the need for replacement. Though most batteries last 3 to 5 years, lifespan can be significantly shorter in southern regions. If your battery is old, struggling, or tests indicate it’s underperforming, have your local trailer repair service replace your battery now to avoid unplanned delays later. Nothing ruins a trip to the lake faster than a dead battery.
Beat the heat with a sound battery backup plan. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair to schedule a battery and charging system test today.
