Author: Neil Marritt

When it comes to car maintenance, many people are well aware that winter can wreak havoc on a car battery. However, the scorching summer heat can be even more detrimental. Understanding how high temperatures affect your car’s battery can help you keep it in top condition throughout the warmer months.

Can Heat Affect a Car Battery?

Absolutely! Car batteries perform best at temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the mercury rises above 80, the heat can negatively impact your car battery, leading to corrosion and a reduced lifespan.

The Science Behind It

Heat causes the evaporation of the battery’s liquid catalyst-electrolyte, which is crucial for the battery’s internal chemical processes. On a hot day, the temperature inside your car’s engine compartment can soar to 140 degrees or higher. This extreme heat accelerates the evaporation process, leading to corrosion of the battery’s lead plates and damage to its internal structure.

Moreover, high temperatures can corrode your battery’s terminals and connectors, speed up the battery’s chemical reactions, and cause a faster discharge. Heat can also lead to battery charging system malfunctions, potentially resulting in an overcharged battery. All these factors contribute to a shortened battery life.

Can Heat Kill a Car Battery?

Yes, it can. Given the multiple problems heat can cause, high temperatures can indeed lead to a dead battery. If your battery suddenly stops working during the summer, there’s a good chance the heat is to blame, and you’ll likely need a replacement.

5 Tips for Protecting Your Car Battery From Heat

1. Park in the Shade or a Garage: Keeping your car out of direct sunlight can significantly reduce the battery’s exposure to extreme heat. If a garage isn’t available, try to park in the shade or use a car cover to keep your vehicle cooler.
2. Avoid Shorter Drives: Short trips don’t give your car’s alternator enough time to recharge the battery fully. To help maintain a healthy charge, drive at highway speeds for about 30 minutes once a week.
3. Protect Your Battery from Corrosion: Regularly clean off any corrosion from your battery and use terminal protectors or anti-corrosion spray to prevent it. This will help prolong the battery’s life and performance.
4. Receive a Radiator Flush: Your vehicle’s radiator cools down the engine, which helps prevent the battery from overheating. Ensure your radiator is flushed every 50,000 to 75,000 miles to keep your engine and battery cool.
5. Schedule a Routine Inspection: Before summer hits its peak, have a mechanic inspect your battery. They can check its age, tighten any loose terminals, look for damage, clean off corrosion, and perform a load test to assess its health.

Choose Chapel Hill Tire for Car Battery Replacement Services in the Triangle Area

If you suspect heat has impacted your battery, Chapel Hill Tire is here to help. Our certified mechanics can inspect, repair, or replace your battery to ensure your vehicle remains reliable all summer long. Don’t forget to check our selection of coupons to save on your next service.

Learn more about our vehicle battery services today. If you need to bring your car in for service, please make an appointment at one of our convenient locations in the Triangle Area.

We are thrilled to announce Carlos Carter as the new manager of our Chapel Hill Tire Woodcroft location! Carlos steps into this role with a wealth of experience and a passion for automotive repair that has been rekindled throughout his impressive career.

Carlos began his journey as a machine repair technician at the airport, where his dedication to precision and excellence was evident. However, his true passion for automotive repair led him to seek an environment that would foster his professional growth. This search brought him to Chapel Hill Tire over six years ago, and he has been an integral part of our team ever since.

During his time with us, Carlos has completed hundreds of hours of company-sponsored training, focusing on both technical skills and leadership development. His commitment to continuous learning and improvement has earned him several certifications, underscoring his expertise and dedication to his craft.

Carlos’s approach to management is inspired by Chapel Hill Tire’s commitment to investing in its employees and implementing proven success principles. He believes in creating a positive, results-oriented workplace that empowers both his colleagues and customers. Under his leadership, we are confident that the Woodcroft location will continue to thrive, providing exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere for all our valued customers.

Carlos is taking over the reins from Troy Hamburg, who has moved to manage our Apex location. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Troy for his outstanding leadership and dedication at Woodcroft and wish him continued success in Apex.

As Carlos steps into this new role, his focus will be on ensuring that every visit to Chapel Hill Tire Woodcroft is efficient, professional, and satisfying. He is committed to maintaining the high standards of service that our customers have come to expect and looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships with the community.

Please join us in welcoming Carlos Carter as the new manager of Chapel Hill Tire Woodcroft. We are excited about the future and the positive impact Carlos will undoubtedly bring to our team and customers.

As the days grow longer and warmer weather beckons, it’s time to shake off the winter slumber and prepare your car for the adventures ahead. While spring brings its share of beauty, it also presents unique challenges for your vehicle. From unpredictable rain showers to fluctuating temperatures, a few key checks can ensure your car tackles the season safely and smoothly.

Why Do Vehicles Need Maintenance After Winter?

Vehicles should receive an inspection and maintenance after winter due to the negative impact ice, snow, and salt can have on them. Icey and snowy conditions can also cause more wear and tear on tires, windshield wipers, and the components under your vehicle, so an inspection and any needed repairs are essential before spring. 

Besides the chance of damage to your vehicle, winter conditions can also affect your vehicle’s appearance. Whether it’s salt stuck to your front bumper or chipped paint from ice, your vehicle probably won’t look its best once spring rolls around. Instead of riding around in a dirty vehicle or risking corrosion due to deicing products, it’s best to take your vehicle in for an inspection and thoroughly wash it early during the spring.

7 Tips for Spring Vehicle Maintenance

Since spring vehicle maintenance is essential for preventing corrosion, wear and tear, and other issues, you’ll want to evaluate a few key parts of your car. As you prepare your car for the spring, take a moment to review our seven top tips for spring vehicle maintenance below:

1: Check Your Tires and Tire Tread

With the change in seasons, it’s essential to ensure your tires are in top condition. Since fluctuating temperatures can affect tire pressure, check it regularly and make sure the pressure in your tires matches the range listed in your owner’s manual.

After you check the tire pressure, take a moment to examine the tread depth to ensure proper traction, especially during spring showers. If you switched to winter tires in the fall, you’ll also need to replace them with all-season or summer tires.

2: Inspect Your Wiper Blades

Spring brings rain, and your wiper blades need to be up to the task. Inspect them for any signs of wear or cracking. If they’re not clearing your windshield effectively, it’s time for replacements. Clear visibility is crucial for safe driving in wet conditions, and since the spring often brings rain, a new set of wiper blades is essential for your visibility and safety.

3: Test Your Battery 

Cold weather can take a toll on your car’s battery, and the transition to warmer temperatures doesn’t mean it’s off the hook. Have your battery tested to ensure it’s holding a charge effectively. The last thing you want is to be stranded with a dead battery.

4: Perform a Brake Check

Your brakes are vital for safety year-round, but they’re especially crucial in wet conditions. Have a professional inspect your brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid to ensure everything is in proper working order. Don’t ignore any squeaks or grinding noises—address them promptly.

5. Wash Your Car

Even if you don’t live in an area with lots of snow, winter can still bring ice and salted roads that can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s exterior. Plus, since most people don’t feel like washing their car in the cold, it may not have been washed in a while. Instead of letting dirt and salt stay on your vehicle’s exterior and corrode the paint, take some time to thoroughly wash the exterior of your vehicle or schedule a car wash appointment.

6. Replace Headlight Bulbs If Needed

Once you’ve washed your car, turn your headlights on at night to see if they’re both working and providing enough light. Dimmer lights could be due to dirty coverings, but if you’ve already washed your vehicle and given your headlights a good scrub, you likely need your bulbs replaced. 

When you find that a headlight is out or it’s not providing as much light as it normally would, have your bulbs replaced by a professional at a repair shop.

7: Schedule a Spring Tune-Up and an Oil Change

Give your car the TLC it deserves with a comprehensive spring tune-up. This includes checking fluid levels, inspecting belts and hoses, and ensuring all systems are functioning correctly. During this appointment, ask for an oil change, as oil can become less effective with age. Regular maintenance now can prevent costly repairs down the road and keep your vehicle running smoothly throughout the season.

Bring Your Car in for a Spring Tune-Up at Chapel Hill Tire

If you need a spring tune-up for your vehicle and live near Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, or the surrounding Triangle area, Chapel Hill Tire has you covered. With our team of expert mechanics in your corner, you can ensure every part of your vehicle is working at its best for the spring. From oil changes and tire services to brake repairs and battery replacements, we have a variety of car care services you can rely on every season of the year. Before you schedule an appointment, make sure to check out our available promotions to save even more money on our services.Learn more about our vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair services today. If you’re ready to bring your car in, please schedule an appointment at one of our many Triangle-area locations.

Winter brings more than just chilly winds and snowflakes, as it can also cause a common automotive issue: dead car batteries. As temperatures drop, many drivers find themselves facing the dreaded click of a non-starting vehicle. If you want to protect your car’s battery, learn more about why cold temperatures cause batteries to perform worse in cold weather and how to prevent dead batteries in the winter.

Why Do Batteries Lose Their Charge in the Winter?

When the thermometer dips below freezing, a car battery can lose 30% to 60% of its charging capacity. Car batteries often lose their charge due to slower chemical reactions, thickening vehicle oil, and increased energy demands from electrical systems. Find out more about how each of these factors affects a battery’s charge below:

• Slower chemical reactions: Most car batteries rely on chemical reactions to generate power and send power signals to terminal ends. During cold weather, a battery’s electrochemical reactions will slow down, resulting in a weaker battery.
• Increased energy demands: The winter can bring increased energy demands from your vehicle. For example, running your defroster and heater can put greater energy demands on your vehicle. Since your battery will already be impacted by slower chemical reactions, putting too much demand on your battery can lower its charge faster. As a result, it’s typically recommended to keep electrical systems off (e.g., your defroster, heater, radio, and headlights) when you first start your vehicle on cold mornings.
• Thicker engine oil: Another common challenge batteries face in the winter is thicker engine oil. In cold weather, your engine oil will be thicker, and the cold can strain other internal components, such as belts, hoses, and radiators. The increased strain and thicker oil slow down engines and require them to use more power to start. Depending on the condition of your battery, the increased power demands from the engine can cause your battery to lose its charge. 

With a reduced capacity and higher energy demands, even healthy batteries can be strained by the winter. Due to the extra demands placed on them, it’s essential to know the main signs of a failing car battery and take action to protect your battery from cold weather.

Why Do Old Batteries Perform Worse in Winter Weather?

In the winter, an older battery, already weakened by years of use, faces even greater challenges. Accumulated wear and reduced efficiency due to the thicker engine voil, increased energy demands, and slower chemical reactions make old batteries especially vulnerable to winter’s harsh conditions. When a battery that’s just getting by in warmer weather faces a cold snap, it often doesn’t have the power to turn over the engine, resulting in a dead battery.

Usually, batteries last between four to six years. If your battery is in this range before the winter, you’ll want to get it tested and potentially replaced to ensure your vehicle will have enough power in the winter.

The 9 Main Signs of a Failing Car Battery

Since winter can place additional strain on your batteries, you’ll want to be on the lookout for signs of a weak battery before winter hits. As you try to prevent having to jump-start your car this winter, review the nine main signs of a failing car battery below:

• Your headlights and power turn on, but your engine won’t start
• Your vehicle suddenly takes longer to start
• Your battery smells like sulfur or rotten eggs (your battery shouldn’t smell like anything!)
• Your vehicle starts but then shuts off right after
• Your battery is four to six years old (or older)
• Your headlights are dimming, but the bulbs don’t need to be replaced
• Your radio won’t turn on
• Your battery looks swollen
• Your check engine light won’t turn off, or it flashes

If you notice any of the above signs, you may need to replace your car battery. Even if the issue isn’t with your battery, you’ll still want to get your vehicle inspected as fast as possible to correct whatever is causing any of these signs to occur.

When Should You Test Your Battery?

Typically, a battery under three years old doesn’t need to be tested. However, once your battery is more than three years old, you should test it to ensure it can handle the cold. Since batteries tend to die after three to five years, the three-year mark is a great time to start checking it. If you find it’s starting to die prematurely, you can save yourself the hassle of the battery dying unexpectedly by replacing it.

How to Protect Your Car Battery in the Winter?

The good news is, with a little preparation, you can avoid winter battery blues. If you want to prevent a dead battery, check out the main ways you can protect your car’s battery in the winter:

• Regular battery tests: Throughout the winter, regular battery checks are crucial. When checking the battery, make sure it has its recommended charge. If you notice that its charge is lower than it’s supposed to be, you’ll want a professional to check it out. 
• Clean your battery’s terminals: Keep the battery terminals clean and free of corrosion, as dirty terminals can impact your battery’s performance.
• Drive regularly: Batteries recharge while you drive, so you’ll want to drive your car regularly in the winter. If you don’t give your battery time to recharge by driving your vehicle, the battery can drain. When you don’t drive your vehicle regularly, you may want to invest in a trickle charger, as these devices slowly recharge car batteries. 
• Park your vehicle in a garage: If you have a garage you can park your vehicle in, you’ll want to use it in the winter. By keeping your car in an enclosed place, you can shield your battery from the worst of the cold. Even if your garage is unheated, it will provide enough insulation to keep your battery warm and stop ice or snow from getting all over your car.

Choose Chapel Hill Tire for Car Battery Services in the Triangle

If you’re looking for car battery services near you in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, or the surrounding Triangle area, turn to  Chapel Hill Tire. Our team understands the importance of a reliable battery in the winter months. When you bring your car in, our experts will be ready to test, diagnose, and replace your battery if necessary, ensuring you’re not left out in the cold. If your car doesn’t start due to a dead battery, we’ll even come to you to jump your vehicle so you can drive it to our shop.

Learn more about our car battery services today. If you’re ready to replace your battery or just need it tested, please schedule an appointment at one of our many Triangle-area locations. Make sure to also check out our cost-saving promotions before your appointment.

At Chapel Hill Tire, our commitment to excellence is only outshined by the remarkable people who drive our mission forward. In this edition of “Our People,” we’re delighted to spotlight Dru Gualdarama, the esteemed manager of our Atlantic Avenue location. Dru’s journey in the automotive world is as inspiring as his dedication to our team and community.

Driven by Passion: A Journey from Fast Cars to Family Values

Dru’s love affair with automobiles began with a childhood dream sparked by fast cars and classic Chevys. This passion led him on an adventure from California to North Carolina, navigating life’s twists and turns with the same skill he once dreamed of applying to a 67 Chevy C10 Fleetside. Though life’s responsibilities shifted his priorities, Dru’s heart never strayed from the automotive world, ultimately leading him to our Chapel Hill Tire family.

A Memorable Moment of Kindness and Community

Dru recalls a particularly heartwarming experience during our “12 Days of Kindness (2023)” initiative. His involvement in repairing Mary Lucas’ Pathfinder — a tribute to her 25 years of foster parenting — exemplifies the spirit of giving and community that Chapel Hill Tire cherishes. Dru’s leadership in this initiative reflects his deep commitment to making a positive impact, one car, and one family at a time.

Empowerment through Leadership: Cultivating a Culture of Growth

For Dru, the true reward of management lies in inspiring and empowering his team. His passion for fostering a culture rich in growth, empathy, and resilience shines through his everyday interactions. Dru’s approach goes beyond fixing cars; it’s about building a community of professionals deeply attuned to the needs and aspirations of their colleagues, customers, and the broader business landscape.

Pursuing Excellence: Leading the Way in Automotive Expertise

During his tenure as manager at the Crabtree Valley store, Dru spearheaded the attainment of the esteemed Blue Seal of Excellence, showcasing their unparalleled proficiency and dedication. Upon transitioning to the Atlantic Avenue store, he continued his exemplary leadership, aiding them in achieving their own Blue Seal, underscoring his commitment to maintaining industry-leading standards and fostering continuous improvement

Staying Ahead: Navigating the Future of Automotive Technology

In an industry that never slows down, Dru keeps pace with the rapid advancements in automotive technology. His dedication to staying informed — through industry news, expos, online forums, and continuous learning — ensures that Chapel Hill Tire remains at the forefront of automotive service and expertise.

Dru Gualdarama’s journey with Chapel Hill Tire is more than just a career; it’s a testament to the power of passion, leadership, and community engagement. We’re proud to have Dru as a key member of our family, and we’re excited to see how his vision and dedication continue to drive us forward.

Stay tuned for more stories of the amazing individuals who make Chapel Hill Tire a place where everyone can “Work Happy.”

During the holiday season, we cherish the spirit of giving at Chapel Hill Tire. Nothing brings us more joy than contributing to our community. At Chapel Hill Tire, we are committed to reciprocating the kindness our community has bestowed upon us. That’s why, throughout the month of December, Chapel Hill Tire celebrated members of the local community through the return of a holiday tradition: 12 Days of Kindness. 

“Every December, we’ve always looked for ways to give back to the community and try to bring our customers into the process. It started with us partnering with local food banks and offering our customers $10 off oil changes if they brought in a can of food,” said Marc Pons, co-owner of Chapel Hill Tire. “We started exploring new ways of giving back to the community… Then during Covid, we renamed it the 12 Days of Kindness — because we thought the world could use a little more kindness — and it stuck.”

After a round of nominations, 12 members of the Triangle community were selected to receive $1,000 car care vouchers. Among them were individuals like Thagyan Moe, a Karen/Burmese interpreter for the Refugee Support Center in Carrboro; Mary Katherine Keyser, a local educator empowering students with learning differences; and Reverend Phyllis Cameron Rhone, a retired nurse who serves as the Pastor of Guilford Community Church.

“This year, I think we were able to strike a really great balance between having fun and doing good for the community,” said Pons. And after seeing the response from some of those selected for the car care vouchers, Pons was deeply touched. “The letters that we received from our community members are beautiful affirmations that we are on the right track. They lift the spirits of our whole team. It feels really good to use our God-given talents to help out members of our community, especially these folks who always give of themselves and never ask for anything in return.”

Videos announcing the people selected for vouchers were added to 12days.chapelhilltire.com from December 11-22. Please give the website a visit if you’d like to learn more about the amazing people chosen for this year’s 12 Days of Kindness.

When a car is driven off the showroom floor, it’s not just as beautiful as it will ever be — it’s also at its safest, with a fresh set of tires and brakes, and everything mechanical in perfect working order. 

In today’s cars though, safety features go far beyond the physical and mechanical, into what are collectively called Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, or ADAS. Relying mainly on computers, sensors, chips, and electronics, these powerful defense mechanisms can help correct for driver errors across the whole range of a vehicle’s functions. And in the future, they may even go so far as to allow for fully self-driving cars.

But to really understand these ADAS, let’s go back to the original driver-assistance system that started it all: Anti-lock brakes.

The First ADAS

From the time of the first automobile, ineffective braking has been a major cause of accidents. Applied too heavily, brakes could “lock up”, further sending the vehicle into a skid (or worse). 

As early as the 1920s, automobile manufacturers were looking for ways to prevent this worst-case scenario with hydraulic mechanisms, and later with purely mechanical systems in the experimental Ford Zodiac circa 1950.

But it wasn’t until 1971 when Mario Palazetti of the Fiat Research Center developed the first of what would become today’s ADAS: An entirely electronic, computerized system to prevent brake locking.

From there, it was off to the races, with designers creating a whole range of ADAS: Electronic stability controls, blind spot information systems, adaptive cruise controls, and traction control. With each advancement, cars became safer to drive — and more resistant to human errors.

Driver-Assistance Systems Today

With increasingly sophisticated technologies and more powerful computers available year by year, today’s cars are safer than ever thanks to comprehensive ADAS systems. In fact, there are so many different ADAS that the Society of Automotive Engineers has created a classification system, divided into six levels (0 through 5).

At level 0, ADAS provide information for the driver that they’ll then have to interpret on their own. These include parking sensors, lane departure warnings, blind spot information systems, forward collision warnings, and more.

At level 1, ADAS systems can take control over one function of the car, whereas at level 2 the car can take over multiple traffic functions at once. Adaptive cruise control, emergency braking systems, and lane centering all fall within level 1, while things like highway assist and autonomous parking fall firmly within level 2.

Levels 3 through 5 have not yet been fully integrated into cars that you can buy off the lot, with many of their features still in the experimental stage. With each level of increase, the car does more of the driving — with level 5 being fully autonomous driving.

The Future of ADAS

From the introduction of driver-assistance systems just over 50 years ago, we’ve progressed to a point where fully autonomous cars are being tested on America’s roads. Could we see a future where drivers will no longer need to have a physical hand in operating their vehicles? It’s certainly possible — but that will also mean that maintaining your vehicle’s systems becomes more important than ever.

That’s why we’re always keeping up to date on the latest developments in automotive technology here at Chapel Hill Tire: So that no matter how cars and driving change, you’ll always be able to rest easy knowing that you’ve had your maintenance taken care of at one of our 11 locations in the Triangle.