winter period

[joejag308]

While i get the chance to pass on our best wishes to all members for the Christmas festivities...........Dave and Myself wish all our members a happy fault free Christmas.......
But the basics at this time of year are an important part of your year.
Make sure of the anti freeze content,check all water hoses for signs of wear, all belts are at correct tensions and the old normally reliable alternator is giving out the nessessary power,check the tyres for any wear or flat spots, keep some extra fuses in the car just in case.
But one thing we all tend to forget is the battery, how many times in the year do we revert to some battery problems?
Now is the time of year for the battery to recieve it own service.
Take off the leads clean the terminals and wipe them with some vaseline then chagre the battery with a suitable charger.
Better still have a drop test done to check for dead cells.
If all is fine reconnect the battery .....peace of mind.....better now than in the pouring rain or snow dressed to the 9s.
Quite a few members use the in line battery top up units keeping the battery topped up at all times, JEC Direct do a simple unit. CETEK do a middle of the road priced unit which i use the XS3600 for about £40 a top performance unit.........an hour or so spent on the basics now can sve a long wait for the AA or RAC just to give you a start boost......anyone giving a jump start these days be careful to know your cars own set up re the jump start proceedures......or better still one of those booster units now in the boot are quite effective ( if they themselves are fully charged)......
Dont get caught out........Joe

[daveji]

I agree with Joe (in part) that a battery checkover....condition of terminals and electrolyte level (if applicable,take care not to overfill) is sound common sense, particularly as the winter is now upon us.
However I would not "sweat" the battery with a drop test unless I had good reason to suspect a problem with the battery.-----don't mend it if it aint broke !
My experience has shown that regular use will keep the battery fit with modern alternators and electrical systems. If the car is not used regularly and will be stood for long periods a suitable "trickle charger" is a really good idea.
If a charger is used for any purpose "READ THE HANDBOOK FIRST"----
PRECAUTIONS MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID DAMAGE TO THE CAR ELECTRONICS.
I am advised the safest method is to disconnect the battery (as per the handbook method) and connect any charger direct to the battery---once it is fully disconnected from the car.
When the car is needed, disconnect the charger, then reconnect the battery as per the advice in the handbook.