Most people think cold weather kills car batteries. In south Louisiana, it's the heat that does the real damage — and the failure often shows up later, on the first cool morning.
Why heat is hard on batteries
High under-hood temperatures speed up the chemical reactions inside a battery and evaporate the fluid inside it. Over a few summers, that wears the battery down faster than in milder climates. Many batteries here don't make it past three or four years.
7 warning signs
- Slow cranking — the engine turns over sluggishly, especially first thing in the morning.
- Clicking when you turn the key — often a sign the battery doesn't have enough power to crank.
- Dim headlights or interior lights, especially at idle.
- Battery or check-engine light on the dash.
- You've needed a jump more than once in a short period.
- Corrosion (white or blue crust) on the terminals, or a swollen battery case.
- Age — if it's three years old or more, get it tested.
Battery or alternator?
If a jump gets you going but the car dies again while driving, the alternator may not be charging. If it starts after a jump and runs fine but won't start the next morning, the battery is the likely culprit. A quick test tells you for sure.
Get it handled where you are
Metairie Mobile Tires provides 24/7 jump starts and mobile battery replacement across Metairie, New Orleans and Jefferson Parish. We test first and only replace what you need. Call (504) 552-3338.