Take care of your battery to avoid winter starting problems

Jan 11, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Stuttgart - Depleted car batteries, especially in winter conditions, are among the most common causes of breakdowns, which can be avoided by taking more care of the unit and choosing the right battery, experts say.

According to statistics from the Auto Club Europe (ACE), most car breakdowns, some 32.5 per cent, are caused by battery problems.

When choosing a new battery, motorists should however take care in choosing the right battery, which can vary substantially depending on the size of the vehicle.

'The more energy is required, the larger the battery and the more material is needed,' says Ina Longwitz from the battery producer Johnson Controls Power Solutions. She points out that more lead is for instance required for a 95-Ah battery compared to the smaller size 60-Ah battery.

Modern cars require more battery energy than the vehicles produced in the 1970s because they have more electronic components, according to Heiderose Dreiner from the car parts supplier Bosch.

However, motorists can influence the life span of a battery, says Dreiner. 'Rear window or exterior mirror heaters should be used as little as possible and if most of your trips are short-distance you should occasionally travel a longer distance so that the battery can be fully charged,' she says.