Please Settle A Car Dispute....

[Smowball]

As if my day couldn’t get any worse Ive now broken down! Went to supermarket just fine. Was in there 15 mins. Came out and car is completely dead. It’s only a year old. Before I rang breakdown I went in and spoke to the staff because you get £75 fine if you’re there over 90 mins. A lovely guy decided to come and see if he could help. He got his car and tried to jump start mine but didn’t work, so he was baffled.
Anyway I’ve rang breakdown recovery and they’ll be here in a couple of hours. Rang Mr Smow and he said it’s because the car hasn’t done enough miles! It’s driven every single day but only locally. He says I need to do longer journeys. Am I meant to do long journeys for the sake of it??
Isn’t driving it every day enough??

[ladybirder]

Is it a Diesel?

[ladybirder]

The reason I ask is the following.

//If you cover a high mileage and the bulk of your driving's on motorways, then a new diesel (with a DPF) is still a good option. If your driving is predominantly short journeys on local roads, then petrol will be more suitable than a diesel because Diesel Particulate Filters don't like short journeys.\\

[pixie374]

Is it the battery? I am no car expert (!) But i am sure a year old car should cope a bit better than that.

[Smowball]

It’s petrol and manual.

[Smowball]

Like you said, it’s only 12 months old! I’ve had to abandon it and walk home, and they’re going to ring when on way and I’ll walk back. Think I need a stiff drink after the last few days!

[Baldric]

As LB says, if it's a diesel, the DPF, diesel particulate filter, needs a bit of a 'warm- up' on a regular basis to keep it clean.

[RATTER15]

Hubby could be correct, however, sounds more like a bad connection if a jump from another car wouldn't start it, maybe a faulty starter motor.

[Smowball]

What a flipping day!

[Prudie]

If it were a flat battery the jump start would have worked - unless he didn't connect the leads properly.
Can you confirm it's all dead ie no lights no nothing no noise when he tried to jump start it, did central unlocking work?

[Buenchico]

If the car can't be jump started then Mr Smow's theory about it not having been driven far enough to recharge the battery since you last started it is clearly rubbish.

[ladybirder]

OK. I have a petrol car and use it for very short journeys every day and it is older than yours. I have had it for 10 months and it has never let me down. The newer cars should be able to cope with short journeys but it is a good idea to give them a longer run now and again. And don't use stuff that uses the battery any more than you have to while you continue to do short journeys. I do find it odd that the chap couldn't start it so perhaps nothing to do with battery.

[ladybirder]

Ah I see Chris has beaten me to it.

[pixie374]

I have always had petrol and manual. I do constant short journeys daily, doing homecare and lifts for the children. I have never had that on any age car. What sort is it? X

[Smowball]

When I turn key all the lights on dashboard come on, then they all go off except the battery symbol. Car doesn’t make a single sound.

[Smowball]

It’s a Dacia Duster.

[Baldric]

Enough ^^ said.

[RATTER15]

Sounds like a bad connection.

[pixie374]

Google shows they commonly have problems with starter motors. But I will leave it to the experts and hope you get it sorted easily xx

[Old_Geezer]

Another one bites the dust ?

[Smowball]

Lol I’ve never ever had a problem with it. It’s a great car to drive, and spacious. Let’s see what Mr Breakdown says later on and I’ll update you all x