How To Keep Car Battery From Draining

With lockdown coming swiftly into place mid-March, millions of cars were forced to come to a standstill. When your vehicle isn't used frequently, it tin can lose charge which may result in y'all not being able to start your machine the next fourth dimension y'all demand to use it.

Endsleigh's partners, the RAC, take washed research that shows that around one-in-ten of united states accept completely stopped using our cars during lockdown. This is being reflected in the RAC's huge increase in abode flat battery breakdowns – which is at the highest number information technology's ever been.

For this reason, they've shared some helpful information with us so we can help you lot continue your car bombardment healthy during lockdown.

Why is my bombardment affecting my machine starting?

There are lots of components that contribute to your vehicle's engine starting, your battery being one of them. Here are a few reasons your car battery may impact your auto starting.

• Your car'due south battery is old and doesn't concur its charge also as information technology used to.

• You lot've only used your motorcar for brusk runs for the concluding few months. For example, a weekly trip to the supermarket. This can hateful you machine's bombardment hasn't had enough time to charge.

• Your vehicle's battery is drained. Accessories such every bit dash cams tin can bleed your battery if they're left plugged in. Besides with immobilisers, your radio and interior lights.

Tips for preventing a flat car battery

You may have institute that your car battery keeps going apartment during lockdown, leading you to search how to stop your auto battery from going flat in time to come. If and then, here are some things you can do to save your car battery when it'south not in employ.

i) Utilize a trickle charger or battery conditioner

Trickle chargers or battery conditioners are slap-up for preserving your battery for long periods of time if you're non using your car. They can also forbid things that are known for draining your machine's battery (like immobilisers/dash cams) from doing and so.

2) Avoid turning your car on and so off again

You may think information technology's helping to power up your engine for a few minutes every few days and so switch it off again immediately, but it really does more harm than good.

3) Avoid short journeys

Forth with switching your car on and off again, taking short trips in your vehicle could drain a battery if it'south already weak.

4) Drive your car for 15-20 minutes at a fourth dimension

Using your essential journeys to drive your car for 15-twenty minutes at a time should hopefully be plenty to acme up your motorcar'southward battery charge.

5) Alternate trips if your household has more one vehicle

If you have more than ane car at home, it's a good idea to switch cars each time y'all make an essential journey to make sure each vehicle is getting a decent run.

six) Bank check electric vehicle (EV) and plugin hybrid (PHEV) manuals

EVs and PHEVs still rely on batteries which can drain when your vehicle is not in use. Advice will vary depending on the car's manufacturer, but could include putting your EV in 'ready style' for some time every few weeks to charge the battery.

It'due south important to note that y'all shouldn't go out the principal loftier voltage battery on charge. Information technology's normally suggested to maintain these batteries at around 50% charge (but never beneath 30% if you're non using your automobile).

7) Make sure a new battery meets/surpasses your vehicle's specifications

If your battery has died, attempts have been made to recover it but it's not holding charge anymore, you'll probably be purchasing a new battery. It'southward of import to brand sure the new battery meets/exceeds your vehicle'due south specifications.

This is to make certain that your new battery has enough power to start a vehicle which may not have been driven for a while – which of course, yours probably hasn't. In that location are two reasons for this:

Manufacturers acquit out standard tests to make certain that their batteries tin restart a car which hasn't been used for a few weeks. Nonetheless, things that may drain a auto'southward battery (such as plugged in dash cams) aren't considered in this test.
New batteries only tend to be half charged when they're purchased, so you lot may have difficulty starting your car with one.

This is why information technology'southward important to practise your enquiry earlier purchasing.

eight) Unplug unnecessary accessories

Whilst nosotros're still in lockdown and you're not using your car, information technology may be a good idea to unplug annihilation which may cause your battery to drain. For example, dash cams.

How to start a machine with a flat battery

If you've simply just come across these tips for how to keep your car bombardment from dying when it's not in use, you may find yourself here because you'd like help with how to outset your machine again. If so, hither are some things you tin do:

i) Spring-get-go your automobile

Jump-starting your car is usually one of the go-to options when your battery goes flat. For this, you'll need:

two) Get professional person assist

If jump-starting your automobile hasn't worked, or you don't accept the equipment needed to do so, call the RAC (on 0333 2000 999) who volition happily assist you.

Car Insurance with Endsleigh

If y'all've found yourself ready to take out new car insurance, you're in the correct place. To compare prices from over 60 providers and get all your quotes in one identify, cheque out Endsleigh Compare today.

For more than driving communication, travel guides, automobile reviews and money saving tips visit RAC Drive.

This mail was contributed past RAC. The RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business concern motorists and are committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more than enjoyable for drivers and road users.

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