After a minor car accident: what to do and record
Stay safe, stay at the scene, record the right details and tell your insurer, even when the damage looks small.
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Car battery keeps going flat: what to check
Work out whether the cause is the battery, the charging system or something draining it while parked.
Easy causes first (4)
- Check for a door, boot or glovebox light left on
- Check nothing is left plugged into a power socketDash cams and trackers can drain a battery while parked.
- Think about your driving: lots of trips under 15 minutes?Short trips may not put back what starting takes out.
- Has the car been parked for 2 weeks or more?A parked car slowly drains, and an old battery may not cope.
Look at the battery (4)
- Engine off. Check for white or green crust on the terminalsWear gloves and eye protection, and do not touch your face.
- Clean the terminals and check the clamps are tightLoose clamps can look like a dead battery.
- Check the date on the battery labelMany last around 3 to 5 years, less in hot climates.
- Check the case for swelling or leaksIf you see either, do not jump-start it. Get it replaced.
Measure it (3)
- With a multimeter, engine off for a few hours: about 12.6 V is fullAbout 12.2 V is roughly half charged. Under 12 V is low.
- Engine running: about 13.7 to 14.7 V means the alternator is chargingBelow that, have the alternator checked.
- Ask a garage or parts shop for a battery load testMany do it free or cheaply. A battery can show good volts and still fail under load.
Look for a drain (3)
- Remove added accessories and see if the problem stopsAlarms, stereos and trackers are common causes.
- Listen after locking: relays or fans still running after 30 minutes?
- Ask a garage to do a parasitic drain test if nothing else explains it
Stay moving (3)
- Keep jump leads or a jump pack in the car
- Parked for weeks? Use a battery maintainer or take a 30 minute drive each week
- After any replacement, recheck the charging voltage
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