A car battery is vulnerable not only during periods of frost, but also in the heat of summer. Find out more about how to protect your battery from high temperatures and other summer care tips

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It may come as a surprise to many drivers that a car battery can fail not only in winter but also in summer. The article below explains how the heat affects the battery, what malfunctions can occur due to high temperatures, and how to properly care for the battery.

Summer car care: how to protect your car battery from the heat?

Due to high temperatures, drivers can face troubles and unexpected car breakdowns. General tips on car care in the summer can be found here.

However, as it turned out, the battery also requires special attention, as car batteries are very vulnerable and can fail due to the heat if you do not pay sufficient attention to their care, as their operation in high temperatures leads to a significant acceleration of the wear process.

How does heat affect the battery in a car?

● High temperatures under the bonnet (up to 120°C) cause sulphation of the plates, accelerating the wear process of the battery, which can lead to premature failure.

● Prolonged operation in a partially discharged state, especially in summer, exacerbates the sulphation problem and further damages the battery.

● High temperatures also cause the electrolyte to evaporate, which leads to a loss of battery capacity.

● Contamination of the battery surface contributes to the formation of conductive films that cause self-discharge and terminal oxidation. These factors combine to significantly reduce the battery's service life.

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Summer car battery care: tips for drivers

● Minimise exposure of the battery to direct sunlight;

● clean the battery surface from dirt on a regular basis;

● check the condition of the terminals and the electrolyte level. The optimal voltage at the terminals is 12.4-12.8 V;

● to keep the battery in optimal condition, it is advisable to use special chargers.

Important! All drivers in Ukraine should remember that an insurance policy is mandatory for every vehicle in the country.

Motor Third Party Liability Insurance (MTPL) is a compulsory vehicle insurance in Ukraine that guarantees compensation for damages in the event of an accident. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can buy a CTP insurance policy from a licensed insurer for reliable protection on the roads of Ukraine. Packages with a deductible of UAH 3200, UAH 1600 and UAH 0 are available.

However, if you plan to drive a car with Ukrainian registration abroad, a Green Card insurance policy is mandatory. The Green Card is a mandatory international motor third party liability insurance policy that covers the costs of compensation for damage caused to life, health and property of third parties as a result of an accident in the territory of the member states of the international Green Card agreement.

You can apply for a Green Card online on the Visit Ukraine portal. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

Just a reminder. TruCAMs are special devices that allow police officers to control the speed limit on Ukrainian roads. Read more about the radars, how they work and how many of them are currently in use in Ukraine here.

Photo: Freepik

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