How to Avoid a Flat Car Battery

A car battery is one of the most important parts of the car. Without it, the car engine won’t start. A weak battery causes damage to the internal engine parts, so it’s always better to keep an eye on it from time to time. This will save you a lot of money, as battery repairs can be costly.

• Turn off your car lights
• Take your car for long drives
• Start your car with the clutch down
• Regular Car Servicing
• Purchase a trickle charger
• Check your car battery

Additionally, during winter, batteries experience greater stress than usual, as the chemical mechanism inside the battery that generates and stores electricity, is impacted by cold temperatures, which causes it to deplete more quickly than usual.

But if you take good care of your car battery, this can be avoided. To make this easy, we have put together a few points on how to avoid a flat car battery.

1. Turn off your car lights

Don’t leave your car lights on when the engine’s off, as it will drain the battery. When this happens, your car will have difficulty starting the next morning or cause a stall. Therefore, make sure you turn off your interior and exterior lights each time you switch off your engine. Otherwise, this can result in a costly error.

2. Take your car for long drives

The car battery charges itself when it’s up and running. To ensure that it has time to recharge on its own, it would be wise to drive your car continuously for 20 to 30 minutes at least once every week. Going for short rides will create a danger of the battery being potentially undercharged.

3. Start your car with the clutch down

The starter motor and battery are relieved of stress when you press the clutch pedal while starting the car. It would be a good practice to leave your car in gear while parking it. This will help you remember to start your car with your leg on the clutch pedal, and doing this will keep the car from rolling away.

4. Regular Car Servicing

Getting your car serviced on time will keep it in good condition. A poorly maintained car will lead to extra stress on the battery.

 

 

5. Purchase a trickle charger

If your car is old or you don’t use it often, it would be worth purchasing a trickle charger. It's a great tool for preserving your battery for long periods as this kind of charger is known for maintaining your car battery's performance, which helps minimise any battery-related issues.

6. Check your car battery

Lift the bonnet of your car to check the battery’s condition. If corrosion has built up, it needs to be cleaned right away. Otherwise, it can prevent the battery from functioning properly. It’s recommended to check this at least twice yearly or every 6000 miles. Alternatively, you may also take your car to the nearby garage for a thorough inspection to ensure all the connections are secure.

Once the battery's guarantee expires, replacing it would be a good idea to increase safety and security while driving. Most companies guarantee a new battery for 3-5 years as batteries gradually deteriorate after a certain age, so the chances of breakdown are higher during this time. It’s always a good idea to keep yourself prepared for the worst, even after taking all the precautions to keep your car in good condition, as unforeseen circumstances are unpredictable.

Always keep a set of jump leads ready in your car and consult your vehicle’s manual to jump-start your car accurately. Make sure to move your car to a safe place and warn the traffic about the obstruction using a warning triangle. If in any doubt, contact a vehicle rescue team so they can help you out.

We hope our article has helped you understand what causes a flat car battery and how to avoid it. Click here to keep yourself updated with all our other interesting articles.

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