Car Battery Maintenance

Car Batteries How to avoid a breakdown RAC attends more than 500,000 battery-related breakdowns a year Seasonal average number of battery-related call-outs caused by external lights being left on The busiest day of the year was the 25th April 2012 with: 4000 263 3000 battery-related breakdowns caused by drivers leaving their external lights on. 2000 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 2011 2012 Top 10 causes of a flat battery: 1. Accidentally leaving the exterior/interior lights, radio or other electrical devices on 2. Not using your car for several days or weeks - even the alarm will drain a battery after a period of time 3. Defective charging systems (e.g. alternator) can cause the battery to be over or under-charged 4. Very hot or cold weather can damage your battery or reduce the amount of energy it generates 5 Fitting your car with the wrong battery - different cars require different amounts of power to operate 6. Old age. Even a well maintained battery may not last more than 5 years 7. Too many short-distance journeys (e.g. to the shops) leave your car without enough time to fully recharge the battery 8. Corrosion, especially around the terminals, can interfere with a car battery's ability to function properly 9. Poor maintenance. You should check your battery's condition every time you look under the bonnet 10. Loose cables or brackets can interrupt the battery's electrical current or cause damage through vibration How to avoid a flat battery: Keeping your car battery healthy is a job that too many drivers ignore. By following these simple tips, you should be able to make sure you don't get caught out by a flat battery: Tip 1: Invest in a good quality battery. It could cost you less in the long run. Tip 2: When a vehicle sits in the hot sun for prolonged periods, the heat can have a negative impact on your car battery, in particular when the battery service life is in decline. Garage Tip 3: Ensure you get the correct battery for your vehicle's specification. Depending on the level of equipment fitted, the battery specification may vary. Check the owners' manual or call an expert if in any doubt. your car or park in the shade if possible. Tip 4: Cold weather is tough on car batteries. It makes the engine harder to turn over and reduces the amount of energy your car battery produces. If possible, keep your car garaged when the temperature drops. Tip 6: Consider purchasing a car battery charger for peace of mind. You never know Tip 5: Be sure to turn off all of your car electrical devices when it might come in handy. (e.g. wipers, lights, heated rear window) before shutting off the engine, especially in the winter. Not only can these drain your car battery, but you also risk damaging the car's electrical system if you start your car with these things turned on. Tip 7: If you don't use your car often, make sure you 'exercise" it on a weekly basis to keep the battery charged and engine/brakes running smoothly. Created by RAC. Visit us at www.rac.co.uk for more information. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons licence.