The Bureau of Meteorology says Queensland's spring and summer are likely to be hotter than usual, with a higher risk of heatwaves. Most of us think about air conditioning when we hear that. Your car battery deserves a thought too.

Why heat is hard on car batteries

Many drivers assume cold weather kills batteries, but Repco notes that heat can be even more damaging. High temperatures speed up the chemical reactions inside a battery. That evaporates water from the electrolyte and accelerates internal corrosion.

RACT also lists extreme temperature as a major cause of battery failure. In South East Queensland, a car parked in the sun all day gives its battery plenty of heat to deal with.

Five warning signs

  1. The engine cranks slowly when you start the car.
  2. Your headlights or interior lights dim.
  3. A battery warning light appears on the dashboard.
  4. White or green corrosion builds up around the terminals. This is more common near the coast because of salt air.
  5. The car has needed a jump-start recently.

Any one of these is a good reason to have the battery tested before it leaves you stranded.

How to help your battery through summer

  • Park in the shade or under cover when you can.
  • Keep the battery and terminals clean and dry.
  • Avoid relying only on short trips, which may not fully recharge the battery.
  • Turn off lights, audio and air conditioning when the engine is off.
  • Have the battery tested before a long drive or holiday trip.

What to do if your battery goes flat

Stay somewhere safe first, especially on a hot day or beside a busy road. Then call for help rather than trying to sort it out in the heat.

A flat battery doesn't always mean a tow or a trip to the workshop. New Car Battery is a mobile service that comes to wherever your car is parked, including your home, work or a shopping centre car park. We test the battery on the spot, and if it needs replacing we fit the right one there and then, including AGM and EFB batteries for stop-start vehicles. If the battery isn't the problem, we'll tell you.

We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and typically arrive within 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your location and demand.

Need a hand?

Call New Car Battery on 0422 771 992, or see our service pages for Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

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