June 13, 2022

Southern Arizona heat takes annual toll on car batteries

Experts say motorists should plan to buy a new one every 3 years.

Heat effects Experts say car batteries last for only three years in desert heat.
Pixabay

The onset of daily 100 degree weather in southern Arizona is a reminder for motorists to check their car battery.

Leroy Ingram with Oooroo Auto in Tucson says a typical car battery lasts just 3 years in the desert Southwest. He notes the battery is basically a plastic box filled with lead plates and liquid acid, or electrolytes.

"it's just like water or anything else, it's getting hot, the liquid inside is evaporating," said Ingram. "So then the plates become exposed, they start to oxidize, and the battery fails over a period of time."

Researchers have found temperatures under the hood can range up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Experts say motorists should get a battery health check with every oil change to make sure they aren't caught off guard.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona