Motorists urged to check battery life before hitting the road

The Automobile Association (AA) has called on motorists to check their vehicles, especially their battery life, before hitting the road this festive season.

The association says it responded to over 18 400 calls to jump-start vehicles across the country this year and expects this number to increase as temperatures rise.

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect the performance of your car battery. In hot temperatures, excessive heat can accelerate chemical reactions within the battery and lead to overheating.

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The AA says car batteries are one of the most underrated parts of the car.

‘’They are hidden from the attention of the driver and are, therefore, never top of mind. The calls for jump-starts to the AA were received mostly between 07h00 and 11h00 as well as between 16h00 and 19h00 during the week. These are the peak hour times to for school drop-offs and getting to work in the morning and are the times when most people are in a rush to get home in the evening. Unfortunately, most battery centres do not operate after 17h00 leaving many people stuck and without alternatives,” said Eleanor Mavimbele, AA spokesperson.

She said the amount of technology you have in your car can also take a big toll on the battery’s ability to do its job.

‘’Headlights, radios, and electronic device chargers all demand power from the battery to operate. This can be overwhelming and cause the battery to fail, especially if it is older and already struggling to hold a charge. That is why it is important to make it a habit to assess the health of your car battery.’’

“It’s important to make sure to get an annual check-up for the battery of your car. Drive the car regularly with distances over 10km, to give it enough chance to recharge. If the vehicle is left undriven for periods over three weeks, it is advisable to disconnect it thereby save the charge,” advised Eleanor Mavimbele, AA spokesperson.

 

Done by: Mitchum George