Car Battery Advice

Information and questions about driving in Andalucia, buying or importing cars and motorbikes plus legal issues surrounding taxes and licenses.
Unicorn
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Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:21 pm

Carrefour sell car batteries. Are they any good? My (old) Freelander's battery seems to be on its way out.

Cheers for any comments..............and Happy New Year.

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costakid
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby costakid » Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:59 pm

As long as you get the correct AH for your vehicle most cheap batteries will last at least 3 years. Make sure you get the correct one, even more important if the car is diesel.

Nimrod
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Nimrod » Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:36 pm

Good advice for batteries
1.Never warm them up on the barbecue to get the last few amps out
2.Never lick a battery. :think:
Last edited by Nimrod on Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Beachcomber
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Beachcomber » Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:00 pm

I always buy my batteries from a reputable car accessory outlet. They may cost a little more but they last a lot longer. The shortest life of any of my batteries was seven years. The longest one is fourteen years and still going strong.
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Unicorn
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:07 pm

Cheers mates!

Will not a) put on a BBQ or b) lick it.

I guess the info for which one to buy is on the battery already there. The car is a petrol one.

I take the point about paying more but the car is really old so probably doesn't have more than 3 years in it anyway.

I had to jump start it yesterday so will see if it starts tomoroow.

Thanks

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Enrique
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Enrique » Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:08 pm

Hi Unicorn,
There aren't many Battery manufactures. Most of the Superstore outlets will be badged Batteries from one of the main three companies.

The main thing is getting the spec right for your vehicle.
Last edited by Enrique on Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Devils Advocate
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Devils Advocate » Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:09 pm

Unicorn, is it just slow on cranking or do you get the solenoid click and nothing else?...........but then it starts.
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Nimrod » Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:02 pm

If you get the click a tap on the terminals may improve things...dodgy connection.
Always worth giving the terminals a clean and light coat with vaseline.

Unicorn
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Sun Dec 28, 2014 5:47 pm

Hi folks

I tried to use it on Xmas Eve - not having driven for a week or so, and it was clicking, lights on but didn't start. My neighbour jump started it yesterday and I drove for about 40 minutes and it seemed fine, but I have not tried today.

Even if it works should I get a new battery? I have had the car about 4 years and it was about 10 years old then, and have never changed the battery.

To be honest, I was just relieved it was just the battery and not something more sinister. :roll:

By the way, Costakid, what is an AH?

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Enrique
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Enrique » Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:26 pm

Hi Unicorn,
Ah.....some light reading................

http://www.motoringassist.com/motoring- ... r-battery/

The main thing for you is read info from old battery and get one of the same spec.


If you post make, model and year of your car then we can check spec for correct battery.

The battery markings are either on the top or side.
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Unicorn
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Sun Dec 28, 2014 6:49 pm

Hi Enrique

It is a Freelander 1800cc 3 door, year 2001, petrol. It is a 12V but looking at specs the AH seems to vary a bit.

Will save the car battery guide for bedtime!

Help is appreciated. Thanks. :wave:

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Enrique
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Enrique » Sun Dec 28, 2014 7:09 pm

Hi Unicorn,
A run through the Varta Find battery section.....................
For your Vehicle

12v 63Ah 610 CCA

Various web sites list battery for your vehicle, the Ah rating varies up or down around the 63 listed above.

Euro code.......... 563 400 061 this refers to size and post position.

242mm (L) 175mm (W) 190mm (H)
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Unicorn
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Sun Dec 28, 2014 7:37 pm

Cheers Enrique

Another large virtual G and T coming down the line................. :thumbup:

BTW (completely irrelevant)just watching Inspector Montelbano on iplayer. Have you seen it? What a terrific series!
Last edited by Unicorn on Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ebbnflow
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby ebbnflow » Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:06 pm

Nimrod wrote:Good advice for batteries
1.Never warm them up on the barbecue to get the last few amps out
2.Never lick a battery. :think:
How do you resist licking them after they're barbecued? :P

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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Manchesteral » Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:21 pm

Unicorn, I guess you've already checked these possibilities out, but, just in case you haven't, I don't suppose it could be the dynamo or a loose fan belt, could it ??

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knowal
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby knowal » Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:57 pm

Dynamo? Fan belt?
How old is this car? :lol:

Unicorn
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:10 pm

Hi folks

Just going to get a new battery fitted.

Oh the curse of always having company cars.........

Will keep you all posted on this gripping story. :clap:

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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby ajtg1952 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:29 pm

I was the same. My wife and I both drove company cars for 50 years between us. I had no idea what an MOT was until 2008. I put petrol in it, occasionally checked the oil, filled the washers and put it through the occasional car wash; usually just before a visit to head office. I never realised so many things can go wrong with them if you own them!

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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Unicorn » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:39 pm

Oh dear. Check the oil!!!!!

I agree. Congrats to all car experts, but I am not one.

But thanks for your comments and interest. Fan belt? What on earth is a dynamo?

Oh dear........I think I had better buy a bike! Or a strong pair of walking boots. :clap:

Manchesteral
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Re: Car Battery Advice

Postby Manchesteral » Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:45 pm

The fan belt is what keeps the engine block cool and charges up the battery !!


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