{"id":51320,"date":"2023-12-17T04:49:31","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T04:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myroadnews.com\/?p=51320"},"modified":"2023-12-17T04:49:31","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T04:49:31","slug":"petrol-and-diesel-owners-issued-key-tips-to-dodge-number-one-winter-breakdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myroadnews.com\/car-reviews\/petrol-and-diesel-owners-issued-key-tips-to-dodge-number-one-winter-breakdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Petrol and diesel owners issued key tips to dodge \u2018number one\u2019 winter breakdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Petrol and diesel owners have been warned that battery breakdowns are the \u201cnumber one issue\u201d this Christmas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Colder temperatures have a major impact on how well batteries can hold their charge, likely causing havoc this winter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The RAC deals with around 400,000 battery-related breakdowns every winter making it one of the biggest problems for road users.<\/p>\n

However, a leading mechanic has warned road users can attempt to dodge falling victim to battery problems by following some simple advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking to Express.co.uk, James Lett, Technical Editor at AutoData said: \u201cBatteries are probably the number one issue with vehicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ MORE <\/strong> \u2018I\u2019m a car expert \u2013 this 15-second hidden feature improves visibility in winter’<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cTo diagnose a battery fault isn’t a problem but there are many things you can do to ensure your battery is going to keep working throughout the winter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first thing is to get the battery tested before the winter. So at the end of the summer or spring lots of independent garages or franchised garages will do a free battery check on your vehicle. Obviously their goal is to get you to buy a battery from them so keep that in mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBut make use of it, ideally to check a battery you need a drop tester or something so it’s unlikely consumers are going to have that equipment. So just get a battery tested.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe average lifespan of a battery ranges five to 10 years. If you have a ten-year battery it’s worth getting a new one anyway if you want it to start completely through the winter.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAlso corrosion on terminals, especially with the salt on the roads you’d be amazed what damage that does especially to the terminals on a battery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Experts at Howden Insurance stress that short journeys can put \u201cextra stress\u201d on the battery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They urge road users to make sure they regularly use their vehicles for longer drives of around 30 minutes to help charge a battery to an optimal state.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the AA and RAC both urge drivers to make sure they switch off extras such as headlights, wipers and heaters before turning off a vehicle. This will prevent any unnecessary drain on the car battery before the next time a car is started.<\/p>\n