Heat can reduce battery life

Q: Greg, my mechanic says that if I move my battery from under the hood to the trunk, I can extend the life of the battery because it is cooler in the trunk. Is he right? — Alma, Louisiana

A: Alma, your mechanic is correct. However, you can also protect your car’s battery from high under-hood temperatures with a heat shield or a special battery case. Make sure you keep your battery fully charged at all times, as this is probably the best way to extend life.

In the hot weather we are currently experiencing, the electrolyte levels need to be checked more frequently because, according to a study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), under-hood temperatures have increased more than 30 percent since 1985 due to engines running at higher temperatures.