Robertson’s Road Tip

Another Robertson’s Road Tip … Battery Best Practices: Charging During a Heatwave

Article By: The Robertson’s Service Team

We talk a lot about winter battery health here at Robertson’s, but the extreme heat of a New England summer can be just as demanding on your vehicle’s battery. Whether you are driving a full electric vehicle (EV) or a truck with advanced start-stop technology, high temperatures accelerate chemical reactions inside your battery, which can lead to faster degradation if you aren’t careful.

As temperatures climb, your vehicle’s battery has to work harder to keep everything running smoothly. Here are a few smart strategies to maintain battery health, efficiency, and longevity when the mercury rises.

1. Charge During the Coolest Part of the Day

Charging generates heat. If you plug your EV in during the peak heat of the afternoon, you are adding heat to a battery that is already struggling to cool itself.

• The Pro Tip: Set your scheduled charging for the early morning hours (between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM) or late evening. This allows the battery to cool down during the night before it starts the charging process, keeping it within its optimal temperature range.

2. Park in the Shade Whenever Possible

This sounds simple, but it is one of the most effective ways to preserve your range and battery health. When you park in direct, sweltering sun, your vehicle’s thermal management system has to work overtime just to keep the battery and the cabin at a safe temperature—often pulling energy from the battery even while you’re parked.

• The Pro Tip: If a garage or shaded spot isn’t available, even simple steps like using a reflective windshield sunshade can significantly lower interior temperatures, reducing the strain on your cooling systems.

3. Maintain Your State of Charge

Extreme heat is toughest on a battery that is either completely empty or fully maxed out at 100%. If you know a heatwave is coming, try to keep your charge level in the “sweet spot”—generally between 20% and 80%. This prevents the battery from sitting at high-stress states (like 100%) while exposed to high ambient temperatures.

4.  Keep Your Coolant Levels Checked

If your vehicle uses a liquid-cooled battery system (common in modern GMC EVs), ensuring that system is topped off and operating correctly is vital. If you notice your vehicle’s cooling fans running louder than usual or the cabin isn’t cooling down as effectively, bring it by our Service Department in Wareham. It’s better to catch a cooling system issue early than to let your battery run hot. 

       5. Smooth Driving = Less Battery Stress

Just like in winter, how you drive matters. Aggressive acceleration creates a massive surge of current, which generates internal heat within the battery. During a heatwave, practice smooth, gradual acceleration. It minimizes that internal heat spike and helps your battery stay cool while you’re on the move.—–Need a Battery Check?

Think of us as your “heatwave headquarters.” If you are concerned about your battery’s performance or just want to ensure your cooling systems are ready for the summer, pull into our service lane. Our team is here to make sure your ride stays cool, no matter how high the thermometer climbs.

See you on the road,

The Team at Robertson’s GMC—–To schedule your service appointment online, please visit our service scheduling page. You can also contact our service department directly at (508) 273-2496.