‘Number one cause’ of winter breakdowns can be easily avoided & the check is free, expert mechanic reveals
THE "number one cause" of winter breakdowns can easily be avoided through a free check, an expert mechanic has revealed.
Sinking temperatures can drain the charge from car batteries - especially older ones.
Salt on the roads can also damage battery terminals through corrosion.
The deals with around 400,000 battery-related breakdowns every winter.
But top mechanic James Lett said you can avoid a breakdown by doing a quick check.
He told the : "The first thing is to get the battery tested before the winter.
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"At the end of the summer or spring, lots of independent garages or franchised garages will do a free battery check on your vehicle.
The expert said that battery checks use a drop tester - a piece of kit which few drivers are likely to have at home.
But he warned that motorists should stay vigilant when getting the free battery check from a mechanic.
He said: "Obviously their goal is to get you to buy a battery from them so keep that in mind. "
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The expert added that the average lifespan of a car battery ranges from five to ten years.
If your battery is living on borrowed time, you should get a new one to ward off a breakdown.
Drivers should also take their motors out for a spin lasting more than half an hour to help charge up the battery.
When pulling up, make sure to switch off your headlights, wipers and heaters before you turn the motor off.
James said that when you go on holiday, you should buy a battery conditioner or trickle charger.
These devices will help stop the battery sapping while the car sits idle.