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how to prevent

kiwi07
kiwi07 Posts: 1,739 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
in Motoring
How to prevent a car battery go flat in this cold weather? My car is only 1.5 years old. How likely it may happen?
«1345

Comments

  • Wig
    Wig Posts: 14,139 Forumite
    Not likely, if you drive it regularly.

    How often do you drive it and how far do you drive?
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    Stop killing your car by doing very short journey's with the heaters and demisters on full blast?
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

    <><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/
  • Red_Cat
    Red_Cat Posts: 1,040 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Check your alternator works properly. If it is , your battery will charge up when you drive. You can check this by using a voltmeter and measuring across the battery terminals with the engine idling and gear in neutral. Should read something like 13-14v. Don't try this if you are not sure what you are doing. Batteries are high current devices.
    Hoping this year is better than the last. :)
  • atrixblue.-MFR-.
    atrixblue.-MFR-. Posts: 6,887 Forumite
    all depends on how long the battery was stored at the manufacters really doesnt it. just coz its a newish car doest mean they put a battery in it that was only a day or two old before it ran off the production line. some battery's can be faulty from the get go, most are perfectly fine, and again it depends on how you used the vehicle during that time, if your mainly do short runs, and not much in they way of bug runs, using stereo, blowers, window demisters will suck the life out of it pretty quick.
  • Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!
    Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! Posts: 2,579 Forumite
    If you're doing a short journey, say less than 5 miles, do you really need that rear screen heater? Or the fan on full blast?

    Think ahead. If you're really concerned about flattening your battery, buy a charger and top it up each week.
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    With modern batteries there is nothing you need to do and nothing you can do to extend it's life. It is sealed for life and it's life in entirely down to it's initial quality and the life you lead it.

    The best advice I can give in addition to that already mentioned is to keep the rest of the car in tip top condition so that it bursts into life without 1/2 draining the battery on every start up.

    If you store or lay up the car for any period of time then a battery monitoring trickle charger such as the Optimate is a great tool. These as used by summer bikers and classic car bods etc to keep the battery healthy when NOT in use, otherwise just use it, it is a "consumable" after all.;);)
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • kiwi07
    kiwi07 Posts: 1,739 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Wig wrote: »
    Not likely, if you drive it regularly.

    How often do you drive it and how far do you drive?

    I do drive 3-5 days a week and not very far. Do I have to drive every day in order to save the batteries?
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    oki1875 wrote: »
    I do drive 3-5 days a week and not very far. Do I have to drive every day in order to save the batteries?

    No. Is there any evidence that the battery is beginning to fail?
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
  • kiwi07
    kiwi07 Posts: 1,739 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    maninthestreet wrote: »
    No. Is there any evidence that the battery is beginning to fail?

    I do not really. What can be a sign of it?
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    oki1875 wrote: »
    I do not really. What can be a sign of it?

    Well, how about a car that only turns over very sluggishly when you try to start it, and then only starts with difficulty??
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
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