Is Heat Bad For Your Hybrid Car Battery?

Every car battery has an optimum temperature – the temperature at which it functions at its maximum efficiency. At a temperature above their threshold, they are unable to perform as efficiently as they are supposed to.

Excessive heat drains car batteries – but the impact can be much severe on batteries used in hybrid vehicles that use nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries. As compared to a conventional car battery, hybrid batteries perform more functions. They store the charge and also power the electric motor that runs the car. 

In this guide, we examine the effects of heat on hybrid car batteries and take a look at how you can protect them from the scorching summer heat.

Effects of Heat on Hybrid Car Batteries

The two most common hybrid car batteries are the ones that use lithium ion and nikcle hydride The optimal temperature range for a nickel–metal hydride car battery is between 75°F (24°C)  and 78 °F (26°C) and temperature for lithium ion battery should not go beyond 45°C (113°F). On one hand, low temperatures cause the engine oil to thicken and make the engine less responsive, which in turn uses more electricity from the battery. On the other hand, excessive exposure to heat can cause the battery fluid to evaporate quickly resulting in rust on the battery terminals and disrupting the flow of electric current.

An insufficient amount of electrolyte can disrupt the electrochemical process in the battery causing it to malfunction as a result of which the overall efficiency of your hybrid battery declines. In addition to this, heat can cause bubbling and bulging in nickel-metal hydride batteries used in several hybrids. As a result of hybrid car battery damage due to heat, battery won’t fully charge and will need a replacement sooner than expected.

Heat Management In Hybrid Cars

While most hybrid car batteries have a temperature control function, prolonged exposure to hot temperatures can eventually degrade the battery’s health and performance. It is essential to make sure optimal conditions are maintained to mitigate the effects of heat on car batteries. Although you are aware that heat is bad for the life of your hybrid car battery, it is out of your hands to control the heat or change the weather. However, minimising the effects of heat on a hybrid car battery is completely in your hands. You can prepare your car for summers and save the battery by following these practices.

1. Park your car in the shade — If you’re looking to protect your car from the summer heat in the UAE, there is no need to look elsewhere other than a shade. Parking your car under the shade will limit your vehicle’s exposure to the sun. It will protect your cars exterior, interior as well as the internal components.
2. Allow ventilation – Leave the windows slightly open (about a couple of centimetres) while parked so the hot air accumulated inside the vehicle can escape. Some people also install electric dash fan to keep the interior cool.
3. Block the heat – Batteries in hybrid vehciles are generally located under the back seat instead of under the bonnet. That is why it is important to keep the cabin cool in order to save the battery. You can install a solar control glass in car or UV-tinted sheets to minimize the effect of heat on your car.

If your hybrid battery life has come to an end, you can buy batteries online in the UAE on dubizzle where you can also find a huge collection of used cars for sale in the UAE.

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