I just traded in my 2010 mini cooper S for the white EX yesterday. I moved from CA to Phoenix, AZ a year ago and i'm worried about the crazy heat here. Both my Mini and my sister's 2006 Acura TL experienced starting up/battery issues on 4 different occasions. Both batteries were changed and it happened again. I jump-started the car and ran fine. I'm very certain it's not due to other causes such as bad alternator or devices draining the battery. It only happens when parked in the garage on a very hot day(+100 °F).

I'm super clueless about cars. What is going on? Would this happen to my FIT too? If this happens with my FIT, will I be able to jump start it? The financial manager said, once it dies, I wouldn't be able to jump start due to something about the EX-technology (not being analog???) and I would have to call someone get it towed. Is this true?

I also want to mention he was trying to sell me the bumper to bumper extended warranty because of this common problem in AZ. Is he just trying to sell me crap I don't need? Has anyone who lives in AZ or hot climates experienced any issues with their 2015 fit?

 

Heat is what wears batteries out because it speeds up the chemical reaction in them, so don't be surprised if yours only lasts 3 years. It's normal for that area.

It's hard to say what was going on with those other cars by that description alone.

 

Thanks Redd! That's what heard from other sources. How about the whole spiel with the financial manager? Can I jump start myself or got to get it towed?

 

You can definitely jump start your car.

 

You shouldn't need an extended warranty, the standard one should cover it and you should get 24/7 roadside assistance for the first 3 years as part of it. You will get a keychain card for it in the mail.

They are just trying to scare more money out of you.

 

Batteries tend to only last a year here unless you use a trickle charger. I used one on a fairly regular basis and got 5-6 years out of my stock battery in my 2007 Fit.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

My Honda batteries last 3 years in Phoenix. After that, no matter what replacement I put in, it is 2 years. After they get too low, and it can happen without warning, you can't even jump start them.

 

Also you are in Arizona... I would have done some research on AC performance, combined with the massive windows on this car, you kinda feel like you're baking slowly when the sun is out. But then again you might be used to it.

 

Live in HOT florida, battery on two of my previous Honda's died within five months of ownership, batteries are covered, and they gave me new one's free. Don't worry if your battery fails you within 3 years, they are covered.

 

Extreme heat and cold are what kill batteries. Sulfation build up on the internal lead plates will decrease battery capacity and longevity. Also heat causes water loss even in maintenance free batteries

 

I'm amazed at the bad luck folks are having with batteries in hot climates. I lived in Tucson for five years and never had a battery go bad. It was much worse in northern Nevada cold.

I now live in the SoCal desert fringe with near-Arizona temperatures and still get 5 years or more from a battery.

The only thing I've noticed is the increased need to add water to the battery. You can't do that with sealed batteries so I always make sure than any replacement I get has caps.

Now, considering that a Fit comes with a garden tractor battery I'd expect to get less time with it, but three years is still achievable.

As far as the finance guy scaring you with battery issues to sell a warranty I think that my response would be "Gee, I didn't know that Hondas had so many problems, maybe I should reconsider a Toyota." and then to push my chair back and watch him backpedal!

Who in their right mind would buy a 1000+ warranty to cover a $100 battery anyway?

 

I have been here since 1977. You never get used to it!