Flat car battery - how to jump start your car
GETTY Tips on how to jump start your car if the batteries dies
The cold temperature and decline in use could see the battery stop working causing no end of stress for motorists on the early commute tomorrow. Halfords said most car owners have not checked the state of batteries for a year, much longer than the recommended three months.
The firm also said that around one in six drivers aged between 25 and 34 did not know where the battery was located in their car, while half of all motorists had no idea how to jump-start a flat battery. "It's not just commuters who feel sluggish after the festive period - but their cars too," said Ella Colley, of Halfords.
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CAUSES OF A FLAT BATTERY -Leaving headlights, interior lights, flashers, and the radio on when the car isn't running. -Using the air conditioner when the car is not running. -Not starting a car for long periods of time (e.g., while it's in storage).
-Lack of battery maintenance - e.g not keeping terminals clean. -Failure of the diode bridge or voltage regulator in the alternator (the alternator charges the battery when the car is running.) -Low air temperature, which causes batteries to freeze - after the festive period it is more common that batteries die, if they have not been used for a few days.
GETTY Connect your car's flat battery to a car with a live car battery to charge it
JUMP STARTING YOUR CAR The most simple way to fix a dead a battery is by jump-starting it. For this you will need set of jumper cables and another car with a functional working (live) battery. One jumper cable is red and one is black - note that the positive cable is usually red and the negative cable is usually black. Connect the positive terminal on the ‘live’ car to the positive terminal on the ‘dead’ car.
GETTY Lack of battery maintenance can lead to a dead battery