Car Breaks Down, Breakdown Cover Just Expired

McKneff

Dont both cars have to be running to use jump leads?

Quentin

No (the dud car wouldn't be running anyway if it needed jump starting!)

Using another battery like suggested is just like using a good battery in your own car.

But it is advisable to have the "good" car running to stop the good battery getting exhausted.

That's why I said get someone to do it who "knows about these things". You can try this a few times without flattening the donor battery.

systemchokes

I've left the car sit, used it once a week for a very short distance, and then left it for 3 weeks while out of the country. The last time it started after a couple of tries, but now it seems to be done. Never had this problem before. Do you think there is a chance the battery is ok and just needs a charge? Or is it probably done and need a new one? How would I check the health of it?

Quentin

There is a chance it just needs a good journey to charge it up.

If you can get someone to help you, (or pay a garage to come and get you going), then go for a decent drive before switching off to get it charged. Then take the car to your choice of battery supplier. Ask them to see if yours needs replacing which they should do without payment, and take it from there.

Whether or not you get a new one, give the car regular drives to charge the battery or get a charger and put it on charge regularly.

systemchokes

Thanks all for your help. I think I have a plan now!

Premier_2

systemchokes wrote: »

Hi all,

I recently moved to London and have used our car very little ever since. Wouldn't you know it now the car won't start. I took out breakdown cover last year but it has recently expired and I forgot to renew.

So what can I do? Can I take out breakdown cover knowing my car is already broken down and call them out straight away?

Thanks for any help!

Who was the breakdown cover with?
If it was the AA or RAC, they will usually extend a goodwill rescue to you if you agree to another year's premium. It depends on how nicely you ask, how long ago the last cover did actually expire, and perhaps how many years previously you were with them and/or how many past claims you made.

Mark_Hewitt

systemchokes wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance but does jumping it also charge it or is that just a temporary solution?

Jumping just gets the engine going without needing the electric starter to start the engine. Once the engine is running the battery will charge up. From a flat battery I'd recommend driving the car around for about 30 minutes. Note, drive the car, don't let it idle as quite often the battery doesn't charge properly when idle.

However, you may have a problem with your alternator (the bit that charges the battery) in which case just jump starting won't do you any good, you'll need to get it fixed.

Mark_Hewitt

systemchokes wrote: »

I've left the car sit, used it once a week for a very short distance, and then left it for 3 weeks while out of the country. The last time it started after a couple of tries, but now it seems to be done. Never had this problem before. Do you think there is a chance the battery is ok and just needs a charge? Or is it probably done and need a new one? How would I check the health of it?

I've had that problem with brand new cars before. One time I left it for just 4 days and by the time I returned the battery was completely flat. I jump started it (going backwards off my driveway!) and ran it for a bit and it was fine.

CHR15

McKneff wrote: »

Dont both cars have to be running to use jump leads?

Someone explain this whilst I sit here giggling like a child :rotfl:

Quentin

And it got a thank you for being "a useful post"