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The AA reported that they have more call-outs for vehicles on 4th January than any other day of the year due to flat or dead batteries. Leaving your vehicle parked up over the festive period can lead to the battery being totally depleted.
Batteries that are older than three years old generally have reduced performance and with the colder temperatures reducing the performance further, this allows older batteries to discharge or flatten very quickly.
If your car’s central locking doesn’t unlock with the key or if your ignition lights on the dashboard aren’t illuminated once you’ve put the key in the ignition, these are signs that your battery may be flat.
If you have jump cables and access to another vehicle, jump-starting your car can help you get to where you need to be in the quickest way.
If this doesn’t work, you may need a replacement battery, call us on 01845 525007 and we can help.
Cold temperatures reduce the battery’s ability to hold charge due to the chemical process that produces and stores electricity inside the battery.
Charging your battery regularly (at least once a week) during these winter months can often prolong the life of your vehicle’s battery. If, however, you don’t have a battery charger, taking regular trips in your vehicle can help the battery to last longer as your vehicle’s alternator (electrical generator) charges the battery when it’s running.
Remember to switch off all electrical loads such as lights, wipers and the radio before turning the engine off. This helps to prevent any unnecessary drain on your vehicle’s battery.
If there is any corrosion on the clamps and battery cables, use a wire brush to clean off the corrosion so that it doesn’t restrict the current flow. Alternatively, ask us and we can help.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re having issues starting your car after the festive period. Flat batteries are a very common fault however, if you’ve replaced your battery and the problem still persists, drop your vehicle with us and let one of our technicians investigate your problem.
