If you reside in the Pacific Northwest, specifically in Tacoma, then you understand what we mean when talking about unpredictable weather. One might be driving along with nothing but the glare of blue skies in front of them, when suddenly they’re fighting off waves of rain. The Pacific Northwest region gets almost 40 inches of rainfall per year with more than 140 days of rain. Consequently, what occurs if your car battery is dead, when it chooses to rain?
Car battery replacement is not complicated. Car battery replacement in the rain, however, is an altogether different matter. While changing the battery in your car might be messy, doing so in the rain can be…well, hazardous.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the dangers of changing a car battery when it’s wet, how to protect yourself if you must change one yourself, and when it’s more practical to call in a local expert such as Courtesy Auto Service & Tire of Tacoma.
Table of Contents
Hidden Dangers of Car Battery Replacement in Wet Conditions
You might think, ‘A little drizzle won’t hurt,’ but here’s why you might regret making such an assumption:
1. Slips, Falls, and Injury
Rain and car repairs don’t go well together. And wet driveways and garages become slippery in an instant. What if you lose your balance when leaning over the engine to work on it, or when loosening the battery clamp? You might just take a heavy fall.
2. Water & Electricity Do Not Mix
Your car’s 12-volt battery may seem low voltage, but boy, does it have current. Then when you add water to the mix, you could be talking shocks and short circuits.
If you’re doing work in an environment with standing water, be careful if you need to work with wires.
3. Corrosion and contamination
Rainwater in the PNW is not ‘pure’ water. Rather, minerals and contaminants in the water can cause corrosion of battery terminals. One might not notice the problem immediately, but over time, the accumulation can cause sparking, failed connections, and shorter battery life.
4. Poor visibility and awkward working angles
Let’s be honest—a cloud-covered day or darkness isn’t an environment in which you’ll enjoy fixing your car. When you can’t see what you’re doing, chances are higher that you’ll drop the tool, misalign something, or even over-tighten the clamp.
5. Increased demands on your battery in cold, damp environments
But even before you decide to change it, your old battery might be struggling. The Pacific Northwest weather patterns aren’t very kind to batteries in terms of performance. So when your battery does ultimately die in the rain, chances are, the weather patterns might have already worked against it.
10 Safer Steps for Car Battery Replacement on a Rainy Day
If you absolutely must change the battery yourself when in wet weather, you can follow these steps to change the battery properly:
1. Locate a dry, level area
Before you do anything, get your car under cover—a garage, carport, or even an awning will work. If you’re stuck outside, lay down a rubber mat or some heavy cardboard to protect yourself and your toolbox from the wet ground.
2. Always disconnect the negative terminal first
This is the golden rule when doing any battery work, but in wet weather, this rule becomes even more important. Disconnecting the negative connection first helps stop the system shorting out if your wrench touches metal.
3. Wear insulating gloves and eye protection
Gloves will protect you against shock and battery acid. Safety glasses or goggles are also important, especially if your old battery is leaking or corroded.
4. Maintain your tools in clean, dry condition
Always avoid using wet tools when dealing with a car battery replacement. Using a wet wrench can easily cause current flow in a place where it should not, potentially causing sparks.
5. Do not stand in or near puddles
But what might seem obvious is often forgotten. Don’t stand in standing water when doing work in your engine compartment. Water can move quickly up your shoes or your gloves.
6. Protect the battery area from the rain
If you’re out in the elements and can’t remain completely dry, you can protect the battery compartment with a tarp made of plastic, trash bag, or waterproof cover. This will protect the battery compartment from drips of rainwater.
7. Check cables and connectors for corrosion and water damage
Before putting in your new battery, inspect the plugs, wires, and brackets. Be sure to clean off any corrosion if you notice any whitish buildup, rust, or water. Otherwise, your brand-new battery could be affected.
8. Reconnect in the right order—positive first, then negative
When you’re ready to put in your new battery, first attach the positive, or red, terminal and then the negative, or black, terminal. Be sure both clamps are tightened tightly.
9. Test your system
Turn on the car and ensure all the functions work properly. If the lights in the car appear to be weak or if there are some clicking noises, then double-check your connections.
10. Follow up one week later
Because the PNW is known to be moist, the corrosion process might be slower, and you should inspect your battery terminals in a week or two. Simply make sure the clips are secure and remove any corrosion build-up.
Factors Making Pacific Northwest Battery Maintenance Challenging
The PNW is lovely, but it’s also very tough on cars. Since the weather is constantly saturated, cold, and cloudy, your car never gets the opportunity to fully dry out.
Here’s how this affects your battery:
- Rain or humidity can cause corrosion, especially if the drone is parked outside.
- Cold start engines consume more power. They drain your battery quicker.
- Shorter days mean more usage of your headlights and windshield wipers, therefore more usage of your battery.
According to local statistics, Tacoma gets an average annual rainfall of 39.5 inches, and this figure just keeps inching higher. That’s lots of wet. And when water gets into battery terminals or other electronics, you can bet your batteries will be dead when you come down to start your car on a rainy day.
The moral of the story? Car battery maintenance can go a long way in helping you avoid being stranded. Don’t wait until the storms come to find out you have one.
When to Call a Professional Instead
Let’s be honest, sometimes it just isn’t worth the trouble (and risk). If any of the following apply, don’t bother with the DIY route:
- You don’t have access to a dry, covered workspace
- You don’t own proper insulated tools and gloves
- The battery is corroded or difficult to access
- Your car’s battery is in an unconventional location (such as underneath a seat or in the trunk)
- You just prefer peace of mind
If that’s you, then bring your car to a reputable mechanic familiar with the ways of the PNW environment, such as Courtesy Auto Service & Tire in Tacoma.
Courtesy Auto Service is the Professional You Need for Car Battery Replacement
This reputable local business has been serving the city of Tacoma for years, with a proven track record of integrity, expertise, and quality guarantees. They have extensive experience in battery testing, car battery replacement, and electrical troubleshooting, and they will get your car up and running in short order.
When you bring your car in to have the new battery installed at a reputable garage such as Courtesy Auto Service, you save time. You also have the assurance of knowing the battery will be installed correctly, even in the wetter weather found in Tacoma.
Final Thoughts
If car battery replacement in one’s car can be considered an uncomplicated task, but when rain, mist, and the chill of PNW air come into play, things get complicated. Slippery surfaces, short circuits, and hidden corrosion areas provide multiple points at which something could go wrong. If you have the right equipment, a place to work, and confidence in your work, then go ahead and do the work.
However, if you would rather be safe, dry, and sure that your car is in good hands, then contact Courtesy Auto Service & Tire in Tacoma. They also have experienced personnel to both change the battery to get you back on the road and diagnose any issues with your car’s electronics. They will also ensure you don’t get soaked in the process. Be safe. Be dry. And don’t forget: clean, closed terminals mean happy terminals.