While many of us worry about our car batteries dying in the frigid subzero temps of Chicago winters, more batteries actually fail in the high heat of summer. And with record-breaking heat across the nation this summer, it seems there’s no better time than the present to take a look at some battery basics.

The myth is that cold weather is harder on batteries because it takes more power to crank a cold engine, but the opposite is true because batteries are chemically more active when they’re hot than when they’re cold. Batteries in very cold climates have an average life expectancy of 51 months compared to 30 months in very warm climates. (Only 30 percent of vehicle batteries overall last for an average of 48 months.)

A car battery will actually start to discharge on its own within 24 hours in hot weather. It takes several days in cold weather. When batteries are left too long in a state of partial discharge, the discharged portion of the battery plates actually, for the lack of a better word, ‘die.’ Recharging the battery will not restore the dead part of the battery plate.

This is a challenge for motorists who drive short distances with several starts and stops. Their batteries are often partially discharged. As you may know, the battery’s primary job is to start the car. After starting, it takes some time for the alternator to recharge the battery. When you drive short distances, your battery may not fully recharge.

Another burden on our batteries is that vehicles are coming equipped with more and more electricity hungry accessories like navigation systems, DVD players, CD and MP3 players, heated seats, heated steering wheels and so on. And we often plug in cell phones, computers and other gadgets. Combine that with short trips, and it’s no wonder that our batteries are partially discharged.

A protective measure you can take is to avoid deeply discharging your battery. For example, don’t run the headlights and stereo with the engine turned off. That will take months off the battery life every time you do it.

As we discussed earlier, heat is hard on a battery. A dirty, greasy battery holds more heat. You can wipe off excess dirt with a paper towel or ask your service advisor at Star Auto Authority to clean it for you. Star Auto Authority can even test your battery and tell you if it’s time to replace it.

When it is time to replace it, always make sure you get a new battery that meets the factory specifications for your vehicle. If you feel you need more battery capacity than what came with your vehicle, talk with your service advisor at Star Auto Authority about appropriate upgrades.

Caution: Most of us have had a dead battery at one time. If try to jump start it, be careful to inspect it first. If the case is bulging, cracked or leaking, do not jump start it. Damaged batteries can explode or catch fire. Also, deeply discharged batteries can freeze. Do not jump start a frozen battery. Finally, there are a lot of theories out there about the best way to jump start a battery. If you are uncertain, do not attempt it. It’s not worth the risk to yourself, others  or your vehicle’s computer system if you do something wrong. To learn how to properly, safely jump start a vehicle, sign up for one of our upcoming Car Care Clinics.

A client of ours with a 2001 Volvo S80 replaced his own battery early last week. Unfortunately, doing so cost him $1,600 in the end because this seemingly straightforward procedure destroyed the car’s climate control computer. (The fancy term for the computer that control the heat and air conditioning.)

Interestingly, it seems this wasn’t a fluke. Online industry and consumer forums turned up a host of similar cases. Consumers reported losing heat, A/C, power locks, power windows and radios after the Volvos (mostly model year 2001) had:

• a jump start;
• a new battery installed;
• the battery cables removed to clean the terminals.

The root of the problem appears to be residual power to the control computer, which causes a voltage spike when the battery cables are reconnected. In other words, simply turning off the ignition isn’t enough. A period of time must pass before all of the car’s computer controls completely drain of power. (We would highly recommend removing the key from the ignition and waiting 20 to 30 minutes to disconnect the cables.)

In some of the cases we read about, consumers were lucky and were able to reset the climate control module by removing the battery cables and holding the terminals together for 30 seconds. In other scenarios, an auto repair shop was able to reload the climate control software. But in severe cases, like our client’s, the climate control computer needed to be replaced.

If you have any battery or starting issues with these vehicles, I strongly recommend relying on your favorite automotive technician. I realize I have an inherent bias in saying that, but the $1,600 risk isn’t worth saving a $100-$200 trip to the shop for a new battery. If you are determined to tackle battery problems yourself, exercise every caution to ensure the modules are powered down.

While we’ve been following the government bailout of U.S. automakers, who have been chastised for their slow adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles, China’s largest battery manufacturer has begun to sell its plug-in hybrid vehicle for about 150,000 yuan (about $21,900).

Called the F3DM, this vehicle will be on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 11-25. What’s notable is that the car’s on sale in China now, at least two years before the Chevy Volt; it has a range of 62 miles vs. the Volt’s 40-mile range; and it’s being offered at a much lower cost. (The Volt will have an estimated $40,000 price tag.)

Interestingly, the car has three power options to extend its 62-mile driving range:

• full battery-powered electric mode;
• series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator to recharge the batteries (the Volt will feature a range-extender like this);
• parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor work like a hybrid vehicle, such as the Toyota Prius.

Even more intriguing is that BYD, the company that manufactures it, began making vehicles in just the past few years. The company has announced plans to sell its F3DM vehicle in the United States in 2010, which means it could hit the U.S. market before the Volt does.

The company is also working on the BYD E6 electric car, which it showed at the Beijing auto show back in April. Although it’s currently a concept car, BYD is hoping to roll it out in 2010. It will be interesting to hear consumers’ opinions about these BYD vehicles, especially during a period when more auto manufacturers are expected to be introducing hybrid-electric vehicles of their own.

Dissatisfaction with our petroleum-fueled way of life is boosting many vehicle engineers’ desires to find new ways to transport people while minimizing the environmental impact.

One such company is Norwegian electric vehicle producer TH!NK, which reports that it is “moving from an entrepreneurial stage toward full industrialization” of its electric vehicle, called the TH!NK city. Made of recycled materials, the car is also 95% recyclable, releases no local emissions and meets the safety requirements of a large car in the U.S. and Europe. Ford had a major stake in the company for four years but divested it in 2003.

Th!nk city, which will be in stores in Norway this month, can travel 111 miles (180 km) on a single battery charge. If fully run down, it takes about 10 hours to recharge. One unique feature of the car is its battery pack, which the vehicle owner leases from the car company via the “Mobility Pack.” For a monthly fee, the company maintains the battery and will deliver a new one at no charge should it malfunction. (The fee also includes a maintenance service agreement, carbon offset payments, insurance and, in some countries, all electricity used.) The company says it is structured this way because the batteries are expensive, and it wants to create a zero-risk investment for the consumer.

The car will also have 18-month service intervals because fewer parts require maintenance. For example, there is no exhaust pipe, engine oil or other mechanical components. The company says this will add up to a lower service bill.

As part of its holistic approach to engineering, Th!nk’s production facilities are carbon neutral, with very low emissions from production processes and minimal material wastes. The Th!nk city features a recyclable exterior and interior materials, and plastic panels are unpainted, reducing both pollutants and energy consumption.

As always, we want to consider the pollution released into the environment when generating the electricity needed to power electric cars. Coal- and nuclear-generated electricity have different environmental risks than petroleum, but the caveats currently remain. Whether vehicles like these catch on is up to consumers worldwide, and the choices in the next couple of years are bound to be numerous.

Source: TH!NK

With light snow in this weekend’s forecast, it’s a good time to think about preparing your vehicles for winter. The process doesn’t have to be expensive, and it could save you time and headaches when the heavy flakes begin to fall.

For starters, consider using snow tires for navigating those snow-laden side streets that don’t get cleared as quickly as major thoroughfares. If snow tires are not in the budget, at least check your tires’ air pressure and make sure all tires have adequate tread depth. Also, be sure your vehicle’s four-wheel drive system is working properly after not being used in summer months.

While you’re under the hood, check to make sure the transmission and gear oil levels are correct. Then, change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade for wintertime driving. Be sure to inspect the belts and hoses for problems because cold weather can exacerbate any issues that might be festering. Next, inspect the wipers to make sure they can stand up to freezing rain and snow, and replenish wiper fluid if necessary.

Be sure to check the vehicle’s battery because cold temperatures can reduce battery power by up to 50 percent. If the battery is older than three years, we can test it for you to make sure it’s ready to handle the rigors of winter.

Next, check the antifreeze mixture using an antifreeze tester. The ideal mixture of antifreeze and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised.

Finally, it’s always best to be prepared for any situation by carrying an emergency kit inside the car. If you don’t already carry these items, consider putting together a package that includes the
following:

• A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit.
• Jumper cables, a tool kit and tire chains.
• A blanket, warm clothes and gloves.
• Paper towels.
• A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter for when tires are stuck in snow.
• A snow brush, ice scraper and snow shovel.
• Extra washer fluid.
• Extra food and water.

Don’t wait until the thermometer drops below freezing to make sure your vehicle is prepared! As always, we are standing by to help with your wintertime preparations.

Source: Edmunds.com