Car Battery

[hippyhoppy]

Being a bit dim (quelle Surpise on that one!!) but my car battery is being tempremental and not working on a random basis (ergo making me hoick the neighbours out of bed to give me a jump start of a morn to get to work!).. so my Q is 'do batteries have a 'life'? and if replaced (at probably crippling expense) can I guarantee a stress free Winter.. (I know.. very vague.. but then again am exhausted at having to push the car...!) Thanks

[TWR]

If you are doing 7 miles that's enough to recharge Hippy, get the thing checked, BUT ASK for a price for the new battery, the vary from garage to garage, do not go to the dealership, & as said make sure you have the radio code handy.

[TWR]

What date /year is it Tony?

[ChuckFickens]

I'll stand corrected... I've not seen a non-sealed battery for years though.

[TWR]

No Probs Chuck, I cock up often lol lol

[hippyhoppy]

TWR.. that was I thinking.. a simple (slash lazy) trip down the road for last nights tea then a quite hard frost this morning lead to the battery having a 'hands on hips' moment and refusing to work... Right, will get the thing checked out on Weds (first day off) and now am motivated to get the garage 'car friendly'.. anyone need a double bed....?

[TWR]

Bloody hell, leave the front door open, I'm on the way lol lol Good luck with the Battery but be carefull, what make is the car? check the prices on ebay, that will give you some idea,

[tonyav]

My car is a 2005 Saab, TWR.

[TWR]

That's one I've never owned Tony, very reliable I gather?

[hippyhoppy]

It's a puegeot (spelling..?) two 05 s reg... ready for the clappers yard/daughter (if she was still here... she's living it up down under the the next 9 months!!)

[tonyav]

There not to bad TWR, but can be expensive if things do go wrong, but I think thats pretty much the same with most makes of cars these days.

[hippyhoppy]

I meant I've a double bed stored in the garage when we turned the box room into Joey's living room so need to flog it so I can put the old lady to bed of an eve...

[EDDIE51]

Use this site for a quote for a new battery, you just need the reg no.
http://www.eurocarpar...sag2bMCFXDLtAodlzQACQ
Yes battery's have a 'life' and this is the time of year when they are most likely to 'die'. You almost certainly need a new one.

[TWR]

Its a bit warmer there Hippy, your car, they are very good if the like any car they are serviced well, I am fortunate to do my own the same as a few on here but I feel for people that SOME garages rip off, that really get my back up.
If you are going for new make sure it is warranted ( It should be, some 1 year, some 3. but whilst the car is running check around for prices.

[Electrochem]

How far are driving? If you are only doing short journeys, typically less than 15 minutes, you are not putting back into the battery what you have taken out by starting it. This is particularly true in the winter months when you have your lights, heated rear window and blower on. As has been suggested get the battery checked by reputable garage and get them to check that the alternator is delivering enough voltage as well.

[jomifl]

If you have flattened your battery more than a couple of times you may as well throw it away and get a new one. If your battery is failing now at the beginning of the winter it hasn't got a hope. Discharging a battery more than 25% without immediately recharging it will damage it. It is worth your neighbours good will to get a new one..

[Electrochem]

Apologies for not reading previous answer about mileage!

[Toureman]

No one has told you that the battery is full of corrosive acid so be careful,if it needs topping up use distilled water so it just covers the plates in the battery.

Your local garage would do it for you for next to nothing!

[hippyhoppy]

Getting the battery checked out after work today... apparently I've been lucky that it's still (just about!) going after 9+ years.... Who knew!!!

[tonyav]

You have done well to get 9 years out of it ( lucky ) hippyhoppy.