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Is Heat The Main Cause Of Battery Failure?

Monday, 30 January 2017 / Published in Battery Advice

Is Heat The Main Cause Of Battery Failure?

heatwave failed battery

Let’s Talk About Car Battery Troubles

A failed battery is one of the most common culprits behind vehicle breakdowns, accounting for 52% of incidents in cars six years or younger. Despite advancements in technology, batteries remain a weak link, often falling victim to issues like acid stratification and improper charging habits. These problems not only impact performance but can also lead to costly disruptions and reduced customer satisfaction.

Driving habits play a significant role in battery health. Short trips paired with heavy accessory use, such as heaters and wipers, prevent the battery from achieving a full charge. Over time, this leads to reduced efficiency and a higher likelihood of failure. With factory defects responsible for less than 7% of battery malfunctions, it’s clear that how we use and maintain our batteries matters most.

Understanding the causes of battery failure helps us take proactive steps to ensure reliability and avoid unnecessary breakdowns.

Looking After Your Vehicle Battery

Proper care extends the lifespan of your vehicle battery and improves its reliability. Regular maintenance ensures it performs efficiently in all driving conditions, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns.

  • Routine Inspections
    Checking your battery periodically helps identify issues like swelling, corrosion, or leakage. Visual damage often signals the need for replacement before complete failure occurs. Look for a clean and undamaged terminal and ensure all connections are firm.
  • Clean Terminals
    Dirt, grease, and corrosion on battery terminals restrict power flow. Use a mild cleaning solution or baking soda with water to remove build-up. When connections are clean, reattach tightly to maintain power efficiency.
  • Limit Electrical Usage
    Avoid heavy use of electrical accessories when the engine is off. Keeping headlights, radios, or air conditioning systems active while the car’s stationary drains the battery unnecessarily and shortens its life.
  • Charge Fully
    Frequent short trips prevent a full recharge, causing poor battery performance over time. Where possible, combine journeys or use a battery charger periodically to maintain optimal charge levels.
  • Monitor Age
    Most lead-acid batteries last 3–5 years, though this varies by usage and care. Track when your battery was installed, and consider replacing it as it nears the upper end of its expected lifetime to avoid failure.

Proper use, cleaning, and regular attention to your vehicle battery minimise risks and maintain its functionality. These measures reduce costs and prevent avoidable breakdowns.

Why Do Batteries Fail?

Battery failures often result from a combination of mechanical, chemical, and usage-related issues. Understanding the main causes can help us take preventive measures to improve battery reliability and longevity.

1. Acid Stratification

Acid stratification is a frequent issue in lead-acid batteries. The problem occurs when the electrolyte separates, causing the solution to concentrate at the bottom of the battery while the top becomes acid-deficient. This imbalance reduces overall efficiency and capacity. Low charge levels, often below 80%, and short journeys with high electrical demands, such as using heaters and wipers, exacerbate stratification. Without regular full charges, this condition worsens, hampering performance.

2. Parasitic Drains

Parasitic drains occur when electrical components continue to draw power even when the car is switched off. Common culprits include interior lights left on or faulty systems like alarm sensors or controllers. Over time, these unnoticed drains deplete the battery charge, leading to unexpected failure.

3. Improper Charging Habits

Improper charging is a significant reason for battery failure in today’s vehicles. Short drives prevent batteries from reaching a fully charged state, especially when paired with high accessory usage. This repeated undercharging leads to sulfation, reducing the battery’s ability to hold power and shortening its lifespan.

4. Driving Patterns

Driving habits significantly affect battery performance. Vehicles operated mostly on short routes or in congested urban areas, such as 10 km daily in cities like Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, rarely reach optimal charge levels. Such conditions promote sulfation and acid stratification, especially in small batteries designed for basic functions.

5. Age and Natural Degradation

Most car batteries last between 3 and 5 years. Over time, their efficiency diminishes due to wear from repeated charging cycles. As they age, the internal components become less effective, increasing the likelihood of failure, particularly during peak demands like starting the engine in cold climates.

6. Environmental and Mechanical Factors

Extreme temperatures, both high and low, significantly affect battery performance. Cold weather impairs a battery’s cranking power, while heat speeds up internal chemical reactions, leading to faster degradation. Physical damage, swelling caused by internal pressure, or corroded terminals can further contribute to failures.

By identifying these key factors, we can proactively maintain our batteries and extend their lifespan.

 

We Come To You

A failed battery can disrupt our daily routines and lead to unexpected costs, but with the right knowledge and care, we can significantly reduce the risk. By adopting better driving habits, staying vigilant with maintenance, and addressing issues early, we can keep our batteries performing reliably for longer. Has your car, 4×4 or truck battery failed? Organise a battery replacement today by getting in touch with Wide Bay Batteries on 0406 653 956 or use our contact form here.

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Grantley Davis
03:39 22 Feb 23
Today I had a client in Gympie who thought they had a battery issue, Errol was on his way to Tin Can Bay and turned around to help the stranded person, turned out the person didn't have a foot on the brake when trying to start the vehicle, Un flattered, Errol said all in a day's work. Sorry I couldn't give you 10 stars
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Great family business, very happy with the fast customer service and the price was really competitive with a great warranty to match. Thanks again.
Evan Kaniouris
07:54 13 Jun 17
Grant has been extremely helpful in every part of my purchase. Initially I requested for a particular battery that was unavailable though Grant went out of his way to attempt to source one. With all his effort he was still unable to source it so offered me a better, more expensive battery at the same price! You could not ask for better service. I would highly recommend Wide Bay Batteries to anyone that wants quality and efficient service.Thanks for all your help.
Nates Acoustic Sessions
22:19 03 Jun 17
Very happy with service and price for car battery. Come to vehicle and replaced /fitted within 15 min of phone call. Highly recommended
Ambrosia Derksen
05:22 20 Feb 17
Really friendly service and everything was so much more affordable than all the other places I've tried. Thanks again Errol.
Troy Parsons
01:40 21 Dec 16
Arrived early got the job done perfectly waited to make sure everything ran fine and took my old battery away. very happy and affordable will definitely use again in the future.Thank you
Serge Panayi
02:24 25 Oct 16
Wide Bay Batteries regularly supply my Company with batteries for our earthmoving, plant and other equipment. Grant and his team are exceptionally helpful providing immediate delivery and high quality batteries. We've recently fitted a bank of solar gel batteries for storage and Wide Bay Batteries looked after us in every way. Thank you guys.
Allen Smith
09:40 08 Oct 16
Turned out cheaper than road assist club we are members of, service was priced well and arrival time was good. Technician called 5 minutes before arrival to let us know and called again 1 hour after our battery service. This service level suprised us and was refreshing, will use again without a doubt in 3 or 4 years when its battery replacement time again!!
Grant Primomedia
07:23 19 Sep 16
My battery died on a Sunday evening and no one but these guys answered. The price was affordable , even more so considering it was Sunday night, got to me just under 30 mins and now I'm set with a new car battery. Thanks to the service person for a speedy professional service. I would highly recommend Wide Bay Battery service to anyone stuck with battery problems.
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Matthew Robinson
2020-08-07T08:53:47+0000
5⭐️ service. Called in morning wanting 3 x n200 batteries, no worries, where, at a boat ramp Tuan, pick them up in a duckie, no worries, thank you so much. Honest, reliable & delivery.
Sara Jayne-Dorothy Cooke
2020-04-22T09:27:50+0000
Wide Bay Batteries have a wonderful work ethics, they love to help people wherever they can, they have great prices, I recommend them 💯
Michelle Fleming
2020-03-25T02:56:23+0000
Called Wide Bay Batteries this morning and they came out installed new battery very quickly and great price. Will definitely use them again in the future.
Trina Crowe
2020-03-15T00:54:50+0000
Awesome customer service.8.30am on Sunday morning and as quick as a flash came to Hervey Bay and replaced 2 caravan batteries after one blew up this morning. 5 star service.
Gerard Kingston
2019-10-26T03:41:46+0000
Awesome customer service. cannot fault these guys. went out of their way to help me out.
Gary Wood
2019-08-08T01:25:29+0000
Great service and arrived on time could not fault. Thanks
Andy Dullaway
2019-02-23T05:31:10+0000
Thumbs up to Errol from Wide Bay Batteries, I rang him at 1pm today because my battery was buggered and he was at my place by 2pm to fit me a new one. Thanks for the excellent service.
Leesa Ireland
2018-04-23T01:15:13+0000
Quick, easy and affordable. Will definitely use them again. I highly recommend to my family and friends.
Jazmyn Svana Williams
2018-01-17T00:50:51+0000
Jaz Oshu
2016-08-28T06:04:06+0000
Chris Clarens
2016-08-23T07:12:50+0000
Excellent service. I will use them again.Need a Battery so just call them.
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© 2025 All rights reserved. Wide Bay Batteries | FAQ | Blog | Wholesale | Primomedia Web Design | Zip Pay
*Arrival time is dependent on weather and traffic conditions.

OUR BATTERIES

  • Car Batteries
  • 4×4 Batteries
  • Farm & Tractor Batteries
  • Marine Batteries
  • Truck Batteries
  • Deep Cycle Batteries
  • Ride-On Mower Batteries

OUR SERVICE AREAS

  • Maryborough
  • Hervey Bay
  • Gympie
  • Bundaberg
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Childers
  • Noosa
  • Sydney

CONTACT US

Phone: 0406 653 956

Email: info@widebaybatteries.com.au

Location: Shed 5 / 28 Railway Parade, Tiaro QLD 4650

Hours: Mon - Sun, 6am to 11pm

© 2019 All rights reserved. Wide Bay Batteries | FAQ | Blog | Wholesale | Primomedia Web Design | Zip Pay
*Arrival time is dependent on traffic and weather conditions.

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