Checking Battery

[milly143]

My car seems to have trouble starting in the mornings recently. Is it likely to be the battery that's the problem and if so can you just go and get a battery checked, like you can with tyres?

Please do not berate me for being dumb when it comes to this.

[gingejbee]

Yes, go to a tyre and battery specialist and ask. Or get a small battery tester yourself - mine was £1.50 from Lidl and it measures the output voltage.

[deggers316]

if the engine is turning over fast but not starting its not likely to be the battery at fault but if its "just" turning over then yes it would be

[milly143]

Can you offer any likely cause if it seems it is not the battery Deggers?

[jake-the-peg]

It is most likely to be the battery because as the weather gets colder the oil gets thicker and it takes more power to turn over the engine.

It could be the starter motor or even the alternator not charging the battery properly but the battery is the most likely and cheapest thing especially at this time of year.

Mine was being slow and difficult about 6 weeks ago so I swapped it out then knowing that it would let me down in the winter - it's been fine since - I guess it was about 6 years old

[Davethedog]

Milly when you turn on the ignition does it whirr slowley or turn over like normal but not start.

[Hopkirk]

Sorry Jake, but cold oil is actually thinner than hot oil.

[ttfn]

Milly - the mechanic checked mine and reported "Madam - your battery is no longer of serviceable use" It is a quick way to spend £70

[TWR]

If poss, check if there is water in the battery if it's has caps (6) on top of the battery, it might need topping up with distilled water, if it's a sealed unit any Auto spares shop with check it for you, whatever you do, do not go to Quick Fit they will end up telling you that your cars needs a new tyre, oil change all the bull sht, is the car a Diesel?
Hopkirk! how do you come to that conclusion?

[gingejbee]

TWR: you're obviously of the same opinion as I am - hot oil IS less viscous than cold.

[ttfn]

A little harsh there TWR imo. That same firm saved my life -probably. My exhaust fell off one night and I went to them first thing in the morning for a replacement. They checked my tyres as a matter of course. To my utmost horror, when they had rotated the wheels they had found on one of them a bald spot the size of a tennis ball where the rubber had total come away revelaing the metal strands like a splayed praint brush. To all intents and purposes the rest of the tyre looked perfect. I had been travelling 50 miles a day on hospital visits for 2 weeks, some of the distance at 70 mph. I have no qualms about continuing to use this same branch now.

[TWR]

Well, that's a first ttfn, I've yet to hear apart from your plight a good word said about that company.

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps I am wrong, but I always understood that a 20 / 50 oil had a viscosity of 20 at low temperatures and 50 at high temperatures.

I will kneel down and put my head on the block. Do your worst.

[ttfn]

I shouldn't say that to me Hoppy - not tonight!

[snowyball]

my car didnt start the other day, but its probably because i have driven it for couple days and it has been cold. my radio, and all lights were working fine so i suspect it wasnt the battery.

i forced the engine to start, took a good five mins, then yipppiii the engine started. this is the third time it has happened in two yrs. and it only happens in extreem cold weathers and that not driving it for more than two days.

[Hopkirk]

I feel safe from you today ttfn. If you tried to hit me you would miss and hurt yourself.

[ttfn]

I have to agree with that, but once the burn has gone from my shin young man.... :o)

[gingejbee]

I know that it seems an anomaly but forget the figures; oil should be changed when the engine is hot because it flows much more readily.

[TWR]

We all make errors Hopkirk! but there are a few on here that cannot compromise that!!! strange world we live in?

[milly143]

ooppss, forgot I asked this! It happens almost every morning recently but seems to be more common now it is getting pretty cold. It turns over at what seems to be the normal rate but then just doesn't start. I have to either just keep trying and try a minutes later and it starts up. Once it's going it's fine the rest of the day.

[Andyvon]

It sounds as if the car just needs a good service Milly.

Like any other machine cars need to be serviced regularly otherwise they start to develop problems. You should change all the filters, various ignition parts such as leads and spark plugs, have the fuel system checked and the engine properly timed and tuned. You should have all those items changed quite regularly as a matter of course, despite them still working at the moment. The car will love the new parts and provided the battery is in good condition then the car should start with no problems in the morning.