Summer Heat Can Leave Motorists Stranded

Test and Replace Car Batteries Before They Fail

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 13 -- As summer temperatures sizzle overhead, the heat could be cooking up trouble under the hood of your car. Corrosion caused by heat is the leading cause of battery failure, and automotive repair shops and retail outlets often report a spike in battery failures during periods of severe summer heat.

"The more heat a battery is exposed to the shorter its lifecycle," said Bruce Bonebrake, master mechanic and host of Weekend Mechanic on the DIY Network. "Motorists should take proactive steps to avoid unexpected battery failure. They should be prepared to replace car batteries before they fail and leave them stranded."

While most batteries last three to five years in ideal driving conditions, factors such as external temperature, the car's age and nature of usage can impact the life of a battery. Many motorists are unaware that under the stress of normal city driving, the average life of a vehicle battery is about three years or even shorter in warmer areas.

According to the National Car Care Council, a national non-profit organization that educates consumers about proper vehicle care, drivers with batteries more than three years old should consider replacing them since batteries rarely give warning signs that they are about to fail.

Bonebrake recommends the following: Test your battery at three years. If it's failing, replace it immediately. If the battery is more than 4 years old, replace it right away or you are asking for trouble.

"From navigation systems to DVD players, we are demanding more out of our car batteries than ever before," Bonebrake said. "Proactive battery testing and replacement, especially during warm weather, is the only way to ensure that your car's battery is performing as it should."

Automotive retail outlets such as AutoZone offer free diagnostic testing for car batteries. And motorists can learn more about car maintenance by visiting www.carcare.org.

                               Battery FAQs

  How does heat impact batteries?
  -- Corrosion caused by heat is the leading cause of battery failure.
  -- Many batteries that fail in early winter had already been significantly
     weakened during the hot summer months.

  Does a car's age, maintenance and driving style affect battery life?
  -- As a car ages, mechanical components related to starting the vehicle
     deteriorate, causing additional strain on the battery.
  -- Poor vehicle maintenance may increase the likelihood of premature
     battery failure.
  -- Frequent starts and stops of a vehicle's engine inhibit a battery from
     fully recharging. Motorists who drive very short distances are likely
     to experience shorter battery life.

  What are signs that my battery may be failing?
  -- Signs may include: dimming headlights and interior lights, slow engine
     starting, "check engine" light is on or accessories failing to operate.
  -- Since indications of battery failure are commonly subtle and
     misdiagnosed, many drivers only become aware of the condition when
     their car no longer starts.

  When's the best time to get my battery tested or replaced?
  -- Drivers should make a battery condition check a part of their cars'
     regular maintenance schedule.
  -- If the battery is more than 3 years old, get it tested. If it's more
     than 4 years old, it's best to get it replaced to avoid breakdown.
  -- The Car Care Council encourages drivers to proactively replace their
     batteries since the chance of sudden failure increase after three
     years.
  -- To avoid getting stranded during the hottest or coldest parts of the
     year, get car batteries tested during summer and early fall.