Need a New Car Battery?
If your car won’t start then there maybe a problem with your car battery. The cars battery is a very important component and is responsible for a lot of the functions with your car. Essentially, a car battery is a rechargeable battery that supplies electrical current to a motor vehicle. Its main purpose is to feed the starter, which starts the engine. Once the engine is running, power for the car's electrical systems is still supplied by the battery with the alternator charging as demands increase or decrease.
Please find our top tips for improved Battery Maintenance
1. Turn off electronics
Electronics are the main source of parasitic loads (small currents of energy the battery needs to continuously deliver). Electrical items such as air conditioning, electric windows and stereo systems all have heavy electrical loads. Before you leave your car, ensure all electrical appliances are off to give your battery more time to discharge.
2. Check and check again
A drop in temperature can affect the chemical process inside the battery and cause it to slow down and reduce the ability it has to hold charge. Older batteries are more prone to a reduced performance so checking and charging the battery if needed on a weekly basis is recommended.
3. Be Patient
A cold car with a battery more than a few years old may need a bit of help to get started. Turn off everything electrical in your vehicle and dip the clutch to reduce the load on your battery before turning the ignition.
4. Regular Use
If you are planning a long journey and your car has not been used for a few days during a cold spell, your battery may need charging before you head out. One of the biggest reasons for roadside recoveries during winter is car battery related problems.
5. Keep it cool
In the summer months, as temperatures rise, where possible, keep your car parked in a shaded area. The heat speeds up the chemical reactions in the battery and those with older batteries run the risk of being stranded by premature failure of the battery.
6. Risk vs Cost
If your battery is more than five years old and showing signs of difficulty to start, it is worth considering getting it replaced. Investing at this stage could save costly roadside repairs further down the line.
If you do find the cold temperatures have an impact and you require a replacement battery, our full range of automotive batteries are available through all of our Protyre garages.
Still Need Help? - Find your Car New Battery at Protyre
All batteries can be purchased at your local Protyre. With same day fitting available.