Why Do Car Batteries Fail? To help our London and Essex customers prevent future issues, it’s important to understand the common culprits of a dead battery:
- Extreme Temperatures: Both the summer heat and the winter “Beast from the East” can affect the chemical reaction inside a lead-acid battery. Cold weather, in particular, reduces a battery’s cranking power just when the engine needs more energy to turn over.
- Parasitic Drain: Sometimes, a small electrical fault—like a boot light that stays on or a faulty alarm system—slowly drains the battery overnight.
- Short Journeys: If you only drive short distances around Barking or Dagenham, your alternator doesn’t have enough time to replenish the energy used to start the car.
- Age: Most car batteries have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. If yours is older, it may be time for a replacement before the next cold snap.
What to Do if Your Car Won’t Start If you hear a “rapid clicking” or see your dashboard lights flickering, follow these steps:
- Turn off all electrics: Make sure the radio, heater, and lights are off to save every bit of remaining power.
- Check the terminals: If they look corroded (white powdery substance), this might be blocking the current.
- Call 07590 247 247: Don’t keep trying to start the car, as this can drain the battery to a point where it becomes damaged (“deep discharge”).
