Baton Rouge summers are long, hot and wet. July highs average around 92 degrees, August is the muggiest month, and the city gets about 62 inches of rain a year. Heat works quietly on the battery, the tires, the AC and every fluid under the hood.
We’ve done auto repair on Baton Rouge cars from our Perkins Road shop since 1956, and the same heat problems show up every year. Here is what to watch for and what to check before summer and hurricane season.
Why do car batteries die in the summer in Baton Rouge?
Heat speeds up the chemical reactions inside a car battery, which causes internal corrosion and water loss that shorten its life. The damage builds all summer long. Many batteries finally fail on the first cool morning of fall, when a weakened battery can no longer deliver the power a cold engine needs to crank.
That’s why a battery that seemed fine in July can leave you stuck in October, especially after a summer of stop-and-go traffic on College Drive.
Car batteries in South Louisiana heat often wear out in about three years
In hot climates like Baton Rouge, many car batteries last about three years, sometimes a bit longer, compared with five years or more in cooler parts of the country. Age tells you more than how the battery acts today, because a heat-worn battery often starts the car normally right up until the morning it doesn’t.
Watch for a slow, labored crank, headlights that dim at idle, crust on the terminals, or a swollen battery case.
Expert tip: Once your battery reaches about three years old, ask us to test it during your next oil change. A load test shows how much strength the battery has left, so you can plan a replacement on your own schedule instead of finding out in a parking lot.
How much does heat change tire pressure?
Tire pressure changes about 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. A tire set correctly on a 70-degree morning can read several PSI higher on a 95-degree afternoon, and it drops again overnight. Always check pressure when the tires are cold, and set it to the number on the driver’s door jamb sticker.
The number molded into the sidewall is the tire’s maximum, a different figure from what your vehicle calls for. If the TPMS light comes on in the morning and goes off by lunch, a tire is running at the low edge.
What causes a tire blowout in hot weather?
Most hot-weather blowouts start with an underinflated tire. When pressure is low, the sidewall flexes more with every rotation, which builds heat inside the tire. Add hot pavement, highway speed and a loaded SUV or pickup, and that heat can weaken the tire until it fails. Correct pressure is the simplest protection.
Rubber also dries out and cracks in constant heat and sun. A bulge or bubble on the sidewall, often from a pothole, means the tire needs replacing. Our tire repair and replacement page explains when a tire can be patched.
Tread depth matters most when a Baton Rouge downpour hits
Tread depth decides how well your tires push water out of the way in a downpour. The legal minimum is 2/32 of an inch, and tires lose much of their wet grip well before they reach it. In a city that gets about 62 inches of rain a year, worn tread raises the risk of hydroplaning.
Try the penny test: put a penny upside down in the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, the tread is at or near the legal limit.
Why does my car AC struggle on hot Baton Rouge afternoons?
A car AC that blows warm air usually has a refrigerant leak, a failing compressor or clutch, a cooling fan that has stopped working, or a blend door stuck on the heat side. If the air is cold on the highway and warm at idle, the condenser often isn’t getting enough airflow.
The condenser sits behind the grille, where rocks and road debris hit it. Topping off refrigerant without finding the leak only buys a little time, which is why we leak test first. Our AC and heating repair page covers the details.
How can I help my car AC keep up in a Louisiana summer?
To help your AC keep up, replace the cabin air filter on schedule, keep the grille and condenser clear of leaves and bugs, and park in the shade when you can. On a hot day, open the windows for the first minute to let trapped heat out, then switch to recirculate once the air turns cool.
A clogged cabin filter chokes airflow and can cause a musty smell. Water dripping under the car is normal condensation, while water on the passenger floor usually means a clogged drain.
Expert tip: If your AC is slowly losing its chill over a few weeks, bring it in while it still blows somewhat cool. The compressor depends on oil that travels with the refrigerant, so a system that runs low all summer can turn a small leak repair into a much bigger job.
Heat breaks down engine oil, coolant and brake fluid faster
Constant heat, stop-and-go traffic and short trips put most Baton Rouge driving in the “severe service” column of your owner’s manual. That schedule calls for more frequent oil changes and fluid checks, because heat breaks down oil, works the cooling system hard and ages the rubber belts and hoses under the hood.
If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over somewhere safe and let the engine cool. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from humid air, and many carmakers call for replacing it every two to three years. Our brake repair team can test yours.
What should I check on my car before summer and hurricane season?
Before summer, check the battery, tire pressure and tread (including the spare), wiper blades, AC performance, coolant and oil, and the belts and hoses. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so it helps to have those items in good shape early, along with a full tank whenever a storm is in the forecast.
The August 2016 flood showed how fast Baton Rouge streets can fill. Never drive through standing water, since a foot of moving water can float many cars. If your car has sat in floodwater, have it checked before you try to start it.
Gordon & Sandifer checks cars for heat wear at our Baton Rouge shop on Perkins Road
Gordon & Sandifer can look over your battery, tires, AC and fluids at our shop at 3825 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Call (225) 343-3427 to set up a visit.
A battery test or tire pressure check is a quick stop. Grab a coffee in the waiting area, catch up on email over the Wi-Fi, and we’ll come find you. Directions are on our contact us page.