Summer Battery Care Tips
Most people only think about their car battery during the winter, but summer heat can be just as hard on your battery — sometimes even harder.
High temperatures accelerate battery wear, increase water loss, and can shorten overall battery life. Under-hood temperatures can become extremely hot during the summer months, especially in stop-and-go traffic and heavy driving conditions.
Here are a few simple summer battery maintenance tips to help keep your battery performing properly.
Inspect Your Battery
Perform a visual inspection of your battery regularly.
Look for:
- corrosion around the terminals
- loose or damaged connections
- cracks in the battery case
- bulging or swollen battery sides
If you notice excessive corrosion or physical damage, have the battery inspected by a qualified technician.
Learn About Your Battery
Preventive maintenance can significantly extend battery life.
Take a few minutes to:
- review your vehicle owner’s manual
- understand what type of battery your vehicle uses
- learn how to safely inspect and maintain the battery
- become familiar with any battery or charging warning lights in your vehicle
Check Water Levels in Flooded Batteries
If your battery is a non-maintenance-free flooded battery, regularly check the electrolyte levels.
When necessary:
- add distilled water only
- avoid using tap water
- fill only until the plates are covered
- do not overfill
Hot weather can increase evaporation and water loss, especially during heavy charging and driving conditions.
Test Your Battery Before Summer Trips
Before heading out on a road trip or long drive, it is a good idea to test your battery and charging system.
A weak battery may still start your vehicle locally but fail unexpectedly during hot weather or extended driving.
Keep Battery Maintenance Supplies Handy
Helpful products for summer battery maintenance include:
- battery testers
- smart chargers
- battery terminal cleaner
- corrosion preventative spray
- distilled water for flooded batteries
Free Battery Testing in Toronto
Royal Battery Sales offers free battery testing to help reduce the risk of unexpected battery failure.
You can also read our winter battery storage and maintenance tips to help protect your battery during the off-season.
