WARNING!
Despite the warm weather and the impending hose pipe bans your car battery could be heading for failure. High heat does significantly affect the life of a battery and if it is close to failure these conditions could push it over the edge. As soon as the battery starts to weaken go for the replacement option – don’t get caught out on your holiday with a dead battery. Call for any help or advice.
The Battery Guys.
Winter, Winter, Deka Marine Master Range, Deka Marine Master Range, Marine Master, Marine Master, Deka Batteries, Deka Batteries, Types of Battery, Types of Battery
Leave comment | Show comments (2)
WARNING!
Despite the warm weather and the impending hose pipe bans your car battery could be heading for failure. High heat does significantly affect the life of a battery and if it is close to failure these conditions could push it over the edge. As soon as the battery starts to weaken go for the replacement option – don’t get caught out on your holiday with a dead battery. Call for any help or advice.
The Battery Guys.
Winter, Winter, Deka Marine Master Range, Deka Marine Master Range, Marine Master, Marine Master, Deka Batteries, Deka Batteries, Types of Battery, Types of Battery
Leave comment | Show comments (2)
Car batteries can lose their charge for more than a few reasons. Leaving the lights on has to be number one. If you crank the engine and nothing happens, it means that the battery doesn't even have sufficient charge on it for a single start. Replace the battery and clean the battery connections to ensure good contact. If you can't replace it at that time of day and still need to get your car going, then you will have to jump-start it.
If your car's battery is around three years old, then chances are that it will be at the fag end of its lifecycle. Such batteries take longer than usual to recharge. When you are starting your car, from the small parking lights to the air-conditioning, must be switched off to reduce the load on the battery.
If your car comes with an automatic gearbox and refuses to crank up, chances are that it might be in some other mode than ‘P'. Press the brake and change into this mode if you have a problem. If your car has a manual gearbox, depress the clutch and start the engine. Some manufacturers such as Hyundai allow their cars to start when the clutch is depressed. This is a safety measure which ensures that you never start the car with the gear accidentally engaged, which could lead to the car jumping forward.
If the starter is still silent, it may mean a faulty ignition switch. Turn the key to the ‘on' position (not all the way to ‘start'). If the warning lamps on your dash don't light up (and your battery connections are clean), the ignition switch is bad. If they do light up, turn the key to the start position. The dash warning lights should turn off at this key position (in most cars). If you're not sure, turn on the headlights. When you try to start the car, the lights should either dim (a lot) or turn off completely. If they do, your ignition switch should be okay. If not, the switch will need replacement.
If your car's starter motor spins but the engine doesn't fire, then chances are that the spark plugs may be wet. Dry them and the leads with a water dispersant like WD40. Using a blow dryer to remove any dampness from them is also a smart move.
If the fuel pump is working properly and fuel is still not reaching the engine, the problem could be a clogged fuel filter. Ideally, you should replace the fuel filter every 10,000km or so.
Repeatedly cranking your car's engine puts considerable load on the battery and drains it. It's a good idea to give a 10-minute break before trying again.
Some owners run on bone-dry tanks. As a rule, keep at least five litres of fuel as reserve.
Check your car's battery first. If you live in a low-temperature area, chances are that the electrolyte solution inside the battery has frozen. Don't try to jump-start such a car. If there are cracks in the battery casing, don't try to jump-start it. Both ignitions should be off. Each battery has a positive (+) and a negative (-) terminal. The positive terminal usually has a cover and the negative usually an uncovered, plain black cable.
Connect the other end of the cables to your car's battery by installing the positive clamp onto the positive post of the dead battery. Make sure the clamps do not touch each other. Connect the negative clamp to a clean ground on the engine of the dead car or directly onto the negative battery post. Connecting the negative clamp onto the engine will reduce the possibility of a spark around the dead battery.
Start the car that is doing the jumping and let it charge your dead battery for five to 10 minutes. Then shut off its engine. Turn the key in the ignition to make sure you can start your car. Remove the negative clamp from the car providing the jump. Do not allow the clamps to touch. Remove the positive clamp from the same car. If the car still doesn't start, chances are that it's not going to.
Leave comment | Show comments (1)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/sport_leisure/drivingsnow_rac.shtml All included in the licence fee!
Simon
Leave comment | Show comments (2)
If it’s going to drop below -10°C overnight take your battery out of the car and store it indoors. Very cold batteries have almost no power.
Good luck
Simon
Leave comment | Show comments (1)
Extreme cold by itself will not cause battery failure. If the battery is discharged for any reason, such as the alternator did not fully charge the battery last time the engine was run, perhaps something was left ON last time the engine was running or possibly even the battery had an internal short, then another condition can enter into the situation. A battery cell can freeze and crack the case if the cell is allowed to completely discharge. Also, if the cell completely discharges then sits for a period of time, the plates in the cell can "sulphate", making them unable to ever take a charge again. The battery is nothing more than a storage device. It does not MAKE electricity; it only stores what was produced by the alternator. The battery will fail over time, typically a family car that is doing an average mileage and is well cared for should last around five years if of a decent build standard.
At the first sign of failure replace the battery.
Simon
Leave comment | Show comments (2)
Now the really cold weather has arrived any car battery that has shown a sign of weakness in recent days is likely to fail. A really hard frost will finish off any life in the battery and there will be little chance of recovery, no matter what type of recharging regime you put it through. Do not get caught out in the snow in the middle of nowhere – change the battery as soon as you can. Call our hotline for help and advice.
Safe motoring
Simon
Leave comment | Show comments (2)Having problems with the site?
Please fill in the simple form below and click send, we really appreciate it!