Latest news with #southernregions
CTV News
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
How hot weather affects your car battery and what to do about it
Summer heat is tougher on car batteries than winter's chill. It may seem counterintuitive, but higher temperatures have a greater impact on the power-generating chemistry inside. And it's not just about air temperature. Hot summer temps drive up the heat under the hood and accelerate the onset of battery failure. As a result, many motorists wind up stuck along the roadside in the summer. AAA reports that it responded to 1.83 million U.S. battery-related service calls in the summer of 2024. 'Routine inspection is as important for the battery as it is for the rest of the car,' says John Galeotafiore, who manages Consumer Reports' car battery testing. To avoid being stranded, owners should be proactive about servicing and replacing their car's battery, he says. Car batteries typically last three to five years, according to AAA, spanning from 58 months or longer in the farthest northern regions of the U.S. to less than 41 months in the most southern regions. Inspections should be part of an owner's routine maintenance, but it's especially important to check before taking a long road trip. During an inspection, the mechanic should check the battery's charge, the condition of the terminals, and how securely the battery is mounted in the engine bay. AAA says that excessive vibration can shorten battery life. Most batteries no longer require checking electrolyte levels, saving a step. However, some batteries are translucent and you can see the level through the side to monitor levels. Galeotafiore recommends having your car battery load tested annually after it's two years old if you live in a warmer climate or after it's four years old if you live in a colder climate. Doing so tests its ability to hold voltage while being used, and the results will let you know when it's time to start shopping. The battery's age is also a strong indicator that it's time to consider a replacement. The manufacture date can be found on a sticker affixed to the top or side. A battery made in July 2024 will have a numeric code of 7/24 or an alphanumeric code of G4 or G-4. A is for January, B is for February, and so on. (The letter I is skipped.) When it comes time to replace your battery, buy one that's less than six months old—preferably three months or newer. Finding the right battery Consumer Reports tests 150 batteries in total each year in its lab (including five examples of each rated model), charging and discharging them thousands of times to find out how long they'll last. If you live in a hot region or have particular concerns about summer performance, pay special attention to the battery life score in our ratings. Battery life is measured by repeatedly discharging and recharging at a test temperature above 167° F for 15 weeks or until performance drops to unacceptable levels. This simulates the summer temperatures a battery can face in the engine bay. Car batteries come in many sizes. Among those that we have tested, there's significant variation in which is the top performer from year to year, and from size to size. This makes it impossible to make simple recommendations by brand or model. It also means you shouldn't assume that buying the same battery model you're replacing will get you the same results. There's one clear trend: Many of the highest-scoring batteries are pricey absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries, known for their long service life and ability to tolerate deep discharges. That's when the battery has been significantly drained to 10.5 volts or below, such as when the lights are left on overnight. 'If you live in an area with extreme temperatures and are looking for a maintenance-free battery, consider getting an AGM,' Galeotafiore says. 'While AGM batteries can also be affected by high heat, they tend to perform better overall than other sealed batteries in our tests.' He adds, 'We have seen that most of the AGM batteries excel in our heat-focused life testing, based on 15 weeks of continuous testing at over 160° F.' But there are even challenges with AGM batteries. AGM batteries will perform well in the heat, but high temperatures will hamper the life span, says Jeff Barron, research lab manager for Interstate Batteries. Barron says that while some traditional batteries, known as 'flooded,' can have their water replenished (with distilled water) to extend their service life, AGM batteries are sealed. In addition to routine inspections, Barron advises car owners to keep their batteries fully charged and to avoid leaving their vehicle parked unused for long periods of time. This is especially true for AGMs. If you must store a vehicle for weeks or longer, a battery tender can help ensure that the battery will be ready to start the vehicle when needed. Be sure the tender is suitable for your car's battery. Some flooded batteries are offered in North and South versions, each engineered for the specific challenges of the different climates. The North batteries emphasize cold-cranking amps (a measure of how well the battery starts an engine during extreme cold weather), while the South batteries have higher electrolyte-to-lead ratios that bolster durability in the heat. Most stores carry the appropriate batteries for the area where they're located. A general battery, without a regional focus in its design, can serve well in the temperate zone between the extremes, such as the mid-Atlantic states. In some cases, owners can replace an AGM battery with a flooded one to boost longevity in hot climates, Barron says, but it's best to consult a mechanic first. Many cars now come with AGMs to support an increasing array of electrical components, and the car's charge system may be configured specifically for the charging needs of the AGM. (For home charging an AGM battery, be sure to use a compatible charger.) Cars and their batteries are becoming more capable and sophisticated. This can add complication to the once-simple task of battery replacement. Barron points out that some recent models from Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and others require the battery to be registered by the car so it can optimize charging and usage. This typically requires a mechanic's scan tool, a professional-grade device that interfaces with the car's computer system. Even older vehicles can require some level of reprogramming by a mechanic when a battery is changed to allow all systems to work. Ultimately, this means that many DIYers may find that they need assistance from a professional. 'To get the best long-term performance when you replace your battery, check CR ratings, consult your owner's manual, and confer with a technician,' Galeotafiore says. Tips to limit heat damage: Drive the car regularly to ensure it doesn't discharge. This means trips of 20 minutes or longer that can replenish the battery. If you're parking for extended periods, say longer than a week, consider using a battery minder or smart charger to trick energy in the battery. Heat can harm the battery even when you aren't driving. Park in the shade or in a garage when possible. Avoid using the battery to run lights, stereo, or accessories when the engine is not on, because all those activities will cause the battery to drain. Keep the battery posts clean, clearing away dirt, grime, and corrosion. By Jeff S. Bartlett, Consumer Reports managing editor, autos
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
A ‘New Star' Suddenly Got 3 Million Times Brighter — How To See It
A new star has appeared in the night sky and is rapidly brightening, according to amateur astronomers. Called V462 Lupi, it's currently 3.3 million times brighter than usual and visible to the naked eye, though only from more southerly regions of North America. The Lupus constellation, home to V462 Lupi, a nova that is rapidly brightening. getty The star has increased in brightness by almost 16 times in the 20 days since it was discovered. When it was first seen, V462 Lupi was +8.7 magnitude — too dim to be seen with the naked eye — but has since rapidly brightened to +5.7 magnitude, which is on the cusp of naked eye visibility. It's usually a +22.3 magnitude star, 3.3 million times dimmer than it's right now. Since this is its first recorded eruption, it's unknown how long V462 Lupi will be visible to the naked eye. It could take just a few days to return to its regular dim levels, or it could take months. V462 Lupi is in the constellation Lupus, the wolf, which is between the constellations Scorpius and Centaurus, but it's not known how far away it is from the solar system. The star is known as a nova, a Latin term meaning 'new star.' It's thought to be a classical nova, an outburst in a binary system where a white dwarf (the dense leftover core of a dying sun-like star) and an expanding red giant star orbit each other. According to NASA, the white dwarf's gravity pulls hot hydrogen from its companion, which builds up and triggers a thermonuclear blast. Unlike supernovas, which obliterate stars, novas are recurring events that only affect the outer layer of a white dwarf. These outbursts can make the system millions of times brighter. How To See V462 Lupi According to Sky and Telescope (which has a useful selection of sky charts), those observing from a latitude around 40 degrees north (California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey) will find V462 Lupi around 10 degrees above the southern horizon at around 10:30 p.m. local time. From the Florida Keys, at around 25 degrees north, V462 Lupi will be 25 degrees above the southern horizon. The higher it is in the sky, the easier it will be to see, though binoculars will make it easier. A finder chart for telescope users is available on the website of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. It's near the bright stars Delta and Beta Lupi. V462 Lupi has appeared as astronomers await the explosion of a recurrent nova — a "repeating new star" that explodes every 80 years. Called T Coronae Borealis (also known as T CrB and the "Blaze Star"), it's classified as a 'cataclysmic variable star' and was observed to brighten to naked-eye visibility in both 1866 and then 80 years later in 1946. A 10-year drop in T CrB's light was reported in a paper in 2023 — thought to be a precursor to a rapid brightening — but it's yet to do so despite predictions it would go nova in March. T CrB is approximately 3,000 light-years away from the solar system — significantly farther than most stars visible in the night sky — which means it exploded 3,000 years ago. Further reading Forbes A Star May Explode Next Week In Once-In-80-Years Event — What To Know By Jamie Carter Forbes NASA Urges Public To Look At Night Sky Now For 'Nova' Location By Jamie Carter Forbes NASA Spacecraft 'Touches Sun' For Final Time In Defining Moment For Humankind By Jamie Carter Forbes Get Ready For The Shortest Day Since Records Began As Earth Spins Faster By Jamie Carter
NHK
11-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Polls: 82% of Ukrainians 'categorically against' Russian peace plan
Recent public opinion polls show most Ukrainians are strongly opposed to accepting Russia's peace plan. The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology has published the results of surveys conducted in May and June. One survey conducted from May 2 to 12 asked about the Russian peace plan putting some of Ukraine's eastern and southern regions under Russian control. Some 82 percent of respondents said they are "categorically against" the plan. Only 10 percent said they are "ready to accept" it. Another survey conducted from May 15 to June 3 found that 52 percent agreed with the statement, "Under no circumstances should Ukraine give up any of its territories" to Russia. A total of 38 percent chose the statement, "In order to achieve peace as soon as possible and preserve independence, Ukraine may give up some of its territories." The institute said, "Ukrainians want peace." It added that they "are ready for difficult discussions and compromises," but "reject demands for surrender." Editorial Note: An earlier version of this story said the two surveys were conducted from May 15 to June 3. But they were conducted in different periods. One of the surveys asked about the Russian peace plan, not the memorandum presented by Russia on June 2.
