Conquer the school run
The school run is one of those everyday routines that rarely goes according to plan.
You’re trying to get everyone out the door, but bags are missing, someone’s forgotten something, the dog’s escaped and traffic’s building.
The last thing you need is a car that won’t not start.
But repeated short trips can be tougher on your battery than many people realise. Starting the engine uses a reasonable amount of power. If the drive to school is only five or ten minutes, the charging system might not have enough time to replace all of that energy before the engine is switched off again.
One short trip is unlikely to cause a problem. The issue comes when the same routine is repeated day after day. Cars used mainly for school runs, supermarket trips and short local driving can spend much of their time without giving the battery a proper chance to recharge.
Modern vehicles also place more demand on batteries than older cars. Air conditioning, heaters, phone charging, lights, demisters, alarms, keyless entry and onboard electronics all drain power. If the battery is already a few years old, those everyday demands can be enough to expose a weakness.
What are the warning signs of a failing battery.
You might notice the engine turns over slower than usual. The lights might dim when you start the engine. Warning messages can appear on the dash. Or the stop-start system can stop working.
These signs are easy to ignore, especially when the car still starts. But they’re often a signal that the battery is losing strength.
Most car batteries last around three to five years, although it completely depends on the vehicle, the battery, your driving habits and how often the car’s used.
A vehicle that regularly travels longer distances usually has more time to recharge properly. A car used mainly for short trips may not.
A few simple ways to help
- Try to give the car a longer drive from time to time.
- Avoid leaving lights, fans or the radio running with the engine switched off.
- If your car sits unused for long periods, a suitable smart charger can also help keep the battery in better condition.
At the end of that day, the easiest way to know what shape your battery’s in is to have it tested.
A free battery check
At Battery Town, we offer free battery testing at our convenient locations right across New Zealand. A trained technician can check the battery and charging system and let you know if everything’s working as it should.
It only takes a few minutes, and it could save you from a flat battery at the school gate, in the supermarket carpark or outside home when you are already running late.
So give yourself one less thing to worry about. Visit your local Battery Town for a free battery test.