One of the most common reasons for calling out the breakdown cover patrolman is a flat battery.

As we now live in an age of electric windows, satellite navigation, air conditioning, cd players, electric seats, electric mirrors and not mentioning the complex electronic management systems within the modern car it is no wonder that this little box lets us down now and again.

But a simple bit of intelligence can give that battery a bit more life or at least enough to get you started.

One basic tip is to switch all electrical stuff off before you turn the ignition off or at least before you restart the your car. Your generator can normally handle all you electrics whilst your car engine running, but before and during starting, your poor car battery has to handle it all, so give it a break. As soon as your engine has fired hen switch your electric stuff on, such as rear heated windscreen etc.

If you need to put your lights on before you start your engine, consider if your side lights will be sufficient for others to see you, then pout your main lights on when your engine has fired.

Your battery just like most parts, have a limited life. If it now past the 3 year mark you should at least consider getting it checked. Many car assesory shops offer this service for free and do this on front of you, so there is little chance of being cheated into buying a new battery.

If you live in an area which experiences extreme weather or harder weather conditions than normal, you may want to consider a heavy usage battery, These are generally made to handle a higher ampage ands start in harder conditions.

the reality is, that most people do not ever consider their battery until it fails, this of course happens either on a cold morning or night when you need your car most.

Minimise the Need For Breakdown Cover

So minimise the need for the breakdown cover patrolman and get your battery checked out the next time you pass the motoring shop and consider how you start you car, with or without electrics on. Also consider how old your battery is and is it now powerful enough to handle the extra load, you apply to it with exta assesories. Go on give the breakdown cover man a break!