Sweltering summer heat, no matter what part of the country you live in, can seriously damage, and possibly destroy, a car battery. The Car Care Council advises you to have your batteries tested and replaced periodically.

According to the Car Care Council, excessive heat and overcharging shortens the life of a car battery. Heat will cause battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging the internal structure of the battery.

It is often thought that cold, harsh winter weather is damaging to car batteries, but the reality of the situation is that summer heat can do some serious damage to your battery. A lot of battery problems start way before temperatures begin to drop for winter.

To prolong the life of your car’s battery, here are a few simple suggestions…

1)   Make sure your electrical system is charging at the correct rate. Overcharging it can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging it.
2)   If your battery is the kind that has to be topped off, check it regularly, especially when it’s hot outside. If necessary, add distilled water to it.
3)   Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the original battery.
4)   Keep the top of the battery clean of dirt and corrosion. Dirt on battery becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Also, if corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, which will inhibit the current flow.