How to avoid a flat battery this winter

The most common reason for a vehicle not to start in winter is due to a dead battery. According to statistics battery problems increase in November, with December being the worst month of the year. The busiest day for a battery to fail, according to the RAC, is on a Monday between 8am and 8.45 in the morning, after a vehicle has been left parked-up for the weekend.

Motorists can avoid a flat battery by following a few helpful tips. Motorists who suffer a flat battery can normally get started without having to call and wait for an emergency breakdown service. The following tips will help you avoid a flat battery and give you a guide of how to get started fast if you’re left stranded on your drive and late for work.

Be very careful not to leave your interior light on in your vehicle overnight – this is the most common reason for a flat battery.

Ensure your vehicle is serviced before the winter frost arrives.

If you only drive on short journeys with lights, wipers and heater blower on, switch them off before turning your engine off. This allows extra charge to be put back into the battery.

If you drive a diesel vehicle and the engine glow plugs break down your battery will take longer to turn the engine over before starting up. Change your glow plugs at the first signs of failure, saving wear on your battery.

A faulty alternator is also one of the most common reasons for a battery to go flat. If this happens you should not need to replace your battery. Replace your alternator and recharge your battery.

Be careful if you use jump leads to start your vehicle in an emergency. Putting a pair of jump leads on the wrong way round can damage your alternator.

A battery charger has been developed to instantly check the condition of a battery. It can boost start a low battery from the mains in about 15 minutes and re-charge a flat battery four times faster than most ordinary battery chargers. The Sparkrite Booster and Starter Charger costs £49 from online mail order specialist, Car Parts Direct.

Car Parts Direct also provides advice on its website explaining how motorists can test their own alternator, starter motor and glow plugs – some of the most common problems resulting in a flat battery. It also claims to supply one of the largest ranges of discounted alternators and starter motors in the UK as well as a set of diesel glow plugs for just about every vehicle on the road - visit carparts-direct.co.uk.