Batteries

An awful lot depends on your car battery. A healthy battery brings the car to life on a cold morning – you’re safe, warm, and on your way. A dud can mean a cold wait, unhappy passengers and missed schedules – and the AA attends over 500,000 battery-related breakdowns each year. Not much of a choice really – but how do you make sure the battery is up to its job? Here are some guiding notes.

Battery Care

Car batteries suffer if heavily discharged, damaging the cells as well as failing to start the car. So, if the charge warning light comes on, or if the battery seems very sluggish on starting, get the system checked as soon as possible. If the battery has removable vents (maintenance-free batteries may be sealed, and low-maintenance batteries may not be easy to open) check the electrolyte level. Top up to cover the plates with distilled or deionised water – de-frosted water from the fridge is ok provided it’s absolutely clean. With maintenance free or low-maintenance batteries, topping up should only be necessary every year or so. Have the charging rate checked if much water is being lost.

Corrosion of the battery terminals can cause starting problems. Before removing either battery lead make sure any radio and security codes are noted as given in the handbook, and the engine must be stopped. Remove the negative lead (Black - ) first, then the positive (Red + ), and just lightly scrape the battery posts and the inside of the terminals. Coat the faces with petroleum jelly and re-attach, tightening firmly but not over-straining the fixings. Re-enter any codes.

Battery Choice

Modern car batteries have a life expectancy of around five to seven years, but it’s pretty much impossible to predict when the end is getting near. So, the options are to soldier on until it fails, or change it at say five years – and the latter is probably the best option. At least this gives you the chance to choose a suitable battery at your convenience.

But what to look for? The basic voltage, current rating and size of battery will be given in the dealer’s catalogues, and these must of course be right for the make and model of car. There will then be the choice of battery make, capacity, grid type and warranty life. These factors will be reflected in the price, as generally the higher capacity and longer warranties go with the more expensive brands. In most cases they’ll be worth paying for – particularly in the case of a diesel where cold-start current demand will be higher than for the same sized petrol engine.

If you are in any doubt about your car battery call us for free advice
on 028 9023 8508.