Despite getting more calls in the winter months, CAA Manitoba says extreme heat is worse for your vehicle’s battery than the cold.
Calls for service, particularly dead batteries, have nearly doubled during Winnipeg’s latest heat wave, according to CAA Manitoba spokesperson Liz Kulyk.
“What we see in the summer is peoples’ batteries completely die because it almost overcharges your car when it gets so hot.”
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A battery is typically good for three to five years, but if people are getting to that three-year mark during a heat wave, Kulyk said it’s best to get the battery checked by a mechanic ahead of time.
People can check for any bulging, cracking, or leakage, she added.
“You might not realize it before it’s too late.”
If people notice their headlights dimming, or their vehicle taking longer than normal to start, Kulyk said those are signs a new battery may be needed.
To get the most of out a vehicle battery, Kulyk recommends parking in the shade, limiting how much time you spend with the radio on, and not always charging a phone.
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