Why Car Batteries Fail in Summer, and How to Make Yours Last

Most people expect batteries to fail in winter, but heat is harder on them. High temperatures speed up the chemical reactions inside the battery and dry out its fluid, which shortens its life.

Warning signs

• The engine turns over slowly when you start it.
• The headlights dim when the engine is idling.
• The battery warning light comes on while you drive.
• The battery case looks swollen, or there is white or green powder on the terminals.

Making it last

• Park in the shade when you can.
• Keep the terminals clean and tight.
• Take a longer drive now and then, because short trips never fully recharge the battery.
• Have the battery and the alternator tested before summer, especially if the battery is more than three years old.