Dr. Eberhard Meissner, battery expert at Johnson Controls, explains why our mild winter will make summer battery testing essential and what you should look out for during summer time.

2014 will be an important summer to check your battery

This summer could be unlike any other when it comes to battery replacements. Winter is usually a time when cold weather proves too harsh for weak batteries to survive. But due to the mild winter, some relatively weak batteries are still functioning. My advice is that you take your car to an independent workshop, authorized workshop, parts dealer or automobile club to test your battery before the start of summer vacation.

Your battery wears more quickly in the summer than in the winter

The life of a car battery depends on a number of factors, for instance, the ambient temperature during battery operation. A temperature of +20°C is optimal for your car battery. If the outside temperatures are significantly warmer than that, electrochemical reactions and corrosion of the battery mesh are accelerated. Your battery discharges more quickly. If you need to replace your battery, the VARTA^® Automotive app is a useful tool that helps you to find the right battery for your car and lists all battery dealers near your current or desired location. The app provides battery dealer contact information, including for facilities abroad. To download the VARTA Automotive app, head to the app store on your iPhone.

Your battery is put under greater demands during summer vacation

Summertime is travel time. It’s also the time when most drivers run their  air conditioning on the highest level. Additional electricity-consuming functions like mobile GPS units, coolers and infotainment display screens represent an additional load for your car battery. At slow speeds, when the engine is not generating much energy, the alternator can no longer handle the electrical needs of these power demands. That’s when the battery has to help, supplying energy to power the vehicle and its accessories.  This is particularly the case when you operate your cooler and your infotainment electronics when sitting in neutral, for example on a break at a service area, stopping at a camping place, or stuck in a traffic jam.

Disconnecting the battery won’t preserve the life of the battery

You should not disconnect your battery, even if you don’t use your car during summer vacation.
As technology becomes more complex, so too does the integration of the battery into the electrical system of the car. If the electrical circuit between your battery and your vehicle computer system is broken, it can lead to data loss in vehicle control units and infotainment electronics. Disconnecting the battery won’t preserve the life of the battery. When you go on vacation, you should ensure that no external devices, like a GPS unit or cooler, are connected during your absence as they could additionally drain the battery. For additional information or to get your battery tested, I recommend you visit your local automotive service station.

For more information, please contact:

Johnson Controls Power Solutions EMEA
Anja Buschatzky
Am Leineufer 51
30419 Hannover
Tel.: +49 511 975-1032
Fax: +49 511 975-2168
E-Mail: Anja.Buschatzky@jci.com

Power Solutions

Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for Start-Stop, hybrid and electric vehicles. Its 50 manufacturing, recycling and distribution centers supply more than one third of the world’s lead-acid batteries to major automakers and aftermarket retailers. Through its innovations the company is building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles. Johnson Controls was the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles. The company's commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.