Munich - Battery problems are one of the most common causes of car breakdowns, especially during those cold winter months. Taking the right precautions can prevent much frustration. In contrast to older cars modern cars have a host of electronic systems that remain on standby even when the car is standing in the garage.
Many problems can be avoided if the motorist takes more care in checking whether all doors and windows are really closed. If not, an interior light would be left burning unnecessarily. Here are some more tips from the experts:
It is better to remove the ignition key and lock the car, even if it is standing in the garage to prevent electronics from remaining in the standby mode and draining energy from the battery.
If the battery is run down or disconnected you might have to reset numerous settings such as the car radio and clock. But on some cars the climate control and other electronics might also have to be reset.
A charger for a DVD player, navigator or mobile phone left in the power socket can also pull a lot of power from the battery. Unplug them before leaving the car.
Most car batteries last between four andfive years. But it is better to have the battery checked after three years, especially if you do a lot of short trips which shortens the lifespan of the unit.
Clean the terminals with a protector spray about every six months to prevent corrosion which can greatly reduce the battery lifespan.
Jumper cables are always nice to have in an emergency so that you can hook them up to another vehicle. But an even better solution is to have your own jump box so that you don't have to ask for help.
