Hidden sign your car is seconds away from costly breakdown – make key post-winter check and save yourself £100s
EXPERTS have revealed the hidden sign your car is on the verge of an eye-wateringly expensive breakdown.
Motors whizz Just Kampers have revealed new tricks to motorists to help prevent your car from letting you down as the winter chill continues to bite.
A motors expert has revealed the key sign your car could be on the verge of a costly breakdown[/caption]The cold months can have a big impact on your vehicle’s battery.
Car batteries use a chemical process that produces and stores electricity.
But cold weather can affect this, slowing down the key part and stopping it from holding a charge.
With all of this done, it’s time to take a look at your battery and make sure it’s still in good shape.
“Some older VWs like the T2 Bay have a bit of an infamous habit of leaking battery acid, which then corrodes the battery tray located to the side of your engine,” the expert said.
“Gnarly blueish crystals forming on the terminals, or damaged metalwork under your battery, are a sign that your vehicle’s battery might be due a replacement.
“All automotive batteries have a fixed shelf life, so try to think when yours was last replaced and whether it might be nearing the time to consider a new one.
“Your vehicles battery is a fairly major component, and having it give out on you is a massive inconvenience, even if it is relatively simple to fix.
“If you’ve disconnected your VW’s battery because it’s been in storage for the winter, then it shouldn’t have lost too much juice since then.”
Scooping a fresh car battery can set you back hundreds of pounds.
Factors such as your car’s make and model, driving style, the size and shap can all impact the price point, but motorists can usually expect to fork out between £100 and £300 for a new one, according to ProTyre.
What you can do to check your battery
The RAC recommends charging your battery once a week if your car is regularly used for short trips throughout the winter.
Halford recommends cleaning the battery often and checking its water levels.
If battery plates are exposed, it means your water level is low and needs filling with distilled water.
If you want to check to make sure your battery is still running smoothly, you can do it yourself using a multimeter or you can take it to a local garage and have a professional take a look.
If you aren’t using your car often enough during the colder periods, sporadically turn your car on, just to make sure the battery is still running.
And it’s not just your battery you need to regularly check during the colder weather to avoid a breakdown.
The RAC uses the acronym FORCES, reminding drivers to keep check of their fuel, oil, rubber, electrics and screen wash.
Most drivers will have a pretty good idea of how much fuel they have left in the tank but check it daily to make sure you have enough for your journey.
Oil is commonly forgotten about and needs checking regularly.
Double-check the wear and tear of your tyres and wiper blades to make sure they’re ready for action.
Coolant levels need to be kept an eye on so the engine doesn’t freeze.
Make sure all lights are working, it’s hazardous to be on the road with any faulty lights.
No one wants a dirty screen, so keep your screenwash nice and topped up.
If you want extra tips for checking your car over the winter period, read our six top tips to avoid breaking down.
Driving in winter conditions isn’t always easy and cars need to be kept safe against snow and ice.