On a frosty morning in Ratoath or Trim, the click of a car that will not start is a familiar sound. Batteries are one of the top causes of breakdowns in Ireland, and winter is their worst season. The good news is that most flat batteries give some warning.
Why batteries go flat
- Cold. A cold battery delivers less power, and a cold engine needs more to turn over.
- Short trips. A five-minute run to the school or the shop does not give the alternator time to put back what the start took out.
- Age. Most batteries last somewhere around four to six years. After that, they fade.
- Cars that sit. Modern cars draw a little power even when parked. A car left for a couple of weeks can be flat when you come back.
- Lights and accessories. An interior light, a dashcam or a phone charger left on overnight.
- Charging faults. A worn alternator or a loose belt can stop the battery charging properly.
Warning signs
- The engine turns over slowly, especially first thing in the morning
- The headlights dim when the engine idles
- The battery light flickers on the dash
- Electric windows or the radio act oddly
- The car is fine one day and reluctant the next
How to avoid getting stuck
- Do one longer drive a week, at least twenty minutes, ideally on the M3 or N2 rather than in town traffic
- Get an older battery (four years plus) tested each autumn
- If the car will sit for weeks, use a battery maintainer
- Switch off lights, heaters and chargers before you lock up
- Keep the terminals clean and tight
If it still will not start
Sometimes it is not the battery at all: a starter motor, an alternator or a fuel problem can look the same. If the car will not go and needs to go to a garage, ring us on 085 783 9202 and we will take it there. The price is our call-out from €150, then €2 a kilometre, agreed on the phone first.
A note for electric cars
Electric cars have a small 12V battery too, and when it goes flat the car may not unlock or wake up. Our electric car breakdown guide explains what to do.