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Keep Your Cool While Your Car Sizzles; Is Your Battery at Risk?

31 July 1999

     -- This summer's headline-making heat wave is making automobiles fry 
and batteries fail.  Whether in the searing Southwest or sweltering East and 
Midwest, motorists should check the condition of their car batteries.

    "Contrary to what most people think, high heat is more brutal on a car
battery than extreme cold," says T.J. Coombs, vice president, general manager
of Field Sales and Operations, GNB Technologies.  Atlanta-based GNB is the
manufacturer of the Champion(R) automotive, marine, specialty and heavy duty
battery lines.

    Heat speeds up all chemical reactions.  Because a car battery works by
producing a chemical reaction, motorists with older batteries might get
stranded by premature failure during the relentless heat wave.  High outside
temperatures combined with stop and go traffic on overheated pavement can
drive under-the-hood temperatures to more than 200 degrees.  Factor in extra
heavy, parasitic electrical loads such as air conditioners, power windows and
stereo systems, and the dog days of summer can be deadly for a car battery.
    "Drivers can make their lives a lot easier during the summer by making
sure their car battery is fully charged and the engine is in good shape," says
Mr. Coombs.  "Start by having a load check on the battery.  This type of test
can be performed quickly by most automotive service centers.  If the power is
marginal, be on the safe side and get a new battery.  A heat wave isn't the
time to economize and hope for a few more weeks of battery life."

    When buying a battery, power is the principal consideration.  Automotive
batteries are ranked by two factors, starting power, called "cold cranking
amps" (CCAs), which indicate the power available to start the engine, and
reserve capacity (RC), the number of minutes the battery will operate the
essential accessories if the alternator fails.

    According to the experts at GNB, the more electrical devices in the car,
such as power windows, sun roofs and audio systems, the more power the battery
should have.  If the car will be exposed to extreme weather, either heat or
cold, the best guarantee against failure is a battery with a high level of
cold cranking amps, at least 550, depending on the vehicle's engine type.
    Several tips for good auto and battery maintenance during hot weather
include:

    * Keep the car engine in good condition.  Tune up and change the oil
      regularly.  In hot weather, use a higher viscosity oil such as 1040.

    * Watch for terminal corrosion on the battery and make sure the battery
      cables are tight.

    * Ideally, park the car in a shady spot during the day and in a garage at
      night, protecting the battery from damaging heat.

    * Periodically check the radiator fluids to keep the engine from
      overheating.