PREVENTING CAR BREAKDOWNS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON 

Summer is upon us and for many people this means going on vacation, and in 2020 many will be travelling by car. The weather is great, the bags are packed, and you are ready to take your well-earned holiday only to find out that your plans are cut short by a flat battery. Having time off should be about fun, relaxation and exciting activities. The last thing you want to worry about is whether your car will start the next time you turn on the ignition.

THE PROBLEM WITH POORLY MAINTAINED BATTERIES

So, before you start your summer holiday, you should pay special attention to your car’s battery. As the latest ADAC roadside assistance statistics show, nearly 46% of all car breakdowns are caused by a failing battery.

The battery may have become flat for various reasons. At high outside temperatures, most drivers turn the air conditioning on at the highest setting. Additional electrical consumers, such as GPS devices, mobile phone chargers and large colour display screens put additional strain on the battery. At low engine speeds, for example in traffic jams when the engine is not producing much power, the alternator can no longer meet the demand for electrical energy. Then the battery has to kick in and provide the necessary backup for the vehicle and all its accessories. On top of this, the ambient temperature is crucial for the service life of a battery. A temperature of 20° C is optimal for a car battery. If outside temperatures are significantly above this value, electrochemical reactions and battery corrosion can be accelerated. This means that your battery can be discharged much faster and an already weak battery will not make it through the summer. So, before you start your summer holiday, you have your battery tested to ensure it’s in good working order.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE – AS IMPORTANT AS CHANGING TYRES

Breaking down during your vacation is not only time consuming and frustrating, it also costs you money. To avoid this, have your battery tested, before you begin your journey. For more information on testing and to find out how VARTA® supports workshops with the VARTA Battery Test-Check program, visit our website: https://www.varta-automotive.com/en-be/free-battery-test