Batteries
It is of course the battery that enables your car to start every time. As you drive the car, the battery is being continually recharged, so that it is fully charged for the next start.
A car battery can become flat and unable to start the car through a number of means:
- age: the battery simply wears out - you will need to replace the battery.
- lack of use: if the car has not been driven for a while, the battery will go flat - you may be able to recharge the battery or jump start the car and charge the battery while driving. If the car has not been driven for an extended period of time, the battery may not hold a charge and may need to be replaced.
- leaving your headlights, interior lights or radio on, or using the air conditioner, when the engine is not running - you may be able to recharge the battery or jump start the car and charge the battery while driving.
- failure to charge: alternator is not performing correctly and fails to charge the battery. Check the alternator and fix or replace, or fix connections if applicable.
- dirty or damaged battery connections: limits the ability of the battery to fully charge or charge at all - cleaning the connections or fixing the connections will enable the battery to charge.
What to watch out for:
- car slow to start
- lights dimming
- accessories not working
You may be able to jump start your car if the battery is flat. The problem may occur again if the battery is not able to charge whilst driving or is unable to hold a charge.
Not sure if you have a battery issue, alternator or starter motor problem? Contact your nearest AutoPlus service centre. We can check your battery for its level of charge as well as its charge capacity and we can check and accurately diagnose alternator and starter motor problems or broken and loose connections.
