How to prolong the life of a van battery
Flat or faulty batteries cause the biggest number of breakdown calls in the UK, and often on a cold and frosty winter's morning. If you need your van for work, not only can it be costly but hugely frustrating for you and your customers. Checking your van battery regularly is an essential part of owning a van.
Starting your van is as simple as turning a key but your battery is working really hard to get the starter motor going and the engine turning over. If your battery is flat or low on charge then you may well be going nowhere until you get a van battery replacement.
Prolonging the life of your van battery
Five years is the normal life expectancy before you will need to consider a van battery replacement, but this can vary significantly depending on the type of driving and the weather conditions your van is subjected to. However, there are things you can do to ensure your battery stays in good condition for as long as possible. Your van's battery stays fully charged via the alternator which uses some of the energy created by the engine when driving, so make sure your van is driven regularly on trips of more than 20 minutes to ensure that the battery has time to fully recharge. Shorter journeys will cause the battery to eventually drain until it becomes flat. Extreme weather conditions at both ends of the scale will adversely affect the life of your van's battery – in these conditions, it helps to keep your van garaged.
How to spot a dying van battery
Problems can occur without warning but there are several easy to spot potential issues with the condition of your van battery. In our experience the most obvious one is to be aware of the age of your battery – if it is approaching 5 years get it checked. Eventually all batteries will need replacing, so you can't avoid it.
Other signs are a slow, sluggish start, dim lights, corroded contacts on the battery connectors and even smell – a leaking battery can give off a rotten egg smell. Some vans do have a battery warning dash light but that could equally signal a problem with the alternator.
Book with Protyre
If you have any concerns about the condition of your van's battery, or you feel that the charging capability of the battery is under par, then why not book a free battery check at your local Protyre garage. We may be well known for supplying and fitting a huge range of tyres from major brands such as Pirelli and Bridgestone, but with over 160 Protyre garages, we can meet all your motoring needs; wherever you are, we are the local garage you can trust.
We provide a full check of your van's battery condition and using the latest testing technology we will also check your battery starting and charging systems – we can even tell you how much life is left in your current battery.
If we do find that you need a van battery replacement, our qualified fitters will supply and fit your new battery and dispose of your old one at a very competitive price.
Book A Free Battery Check
Choosing the Right Tyre Made Easy
When it comes to your car's safety and performance, tyres can play a huge role. That's why we've put together a collection of helpful articles to guide you through the process of selecting the perfect tyres for your ride and maintaining your vehicle in general.
If you're looking for a smoother, more luxurious driving experience, premium car tyres might be the way to go. Or, if you want added security against flats, run flat car tyres could be your best bet. Trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres? We've got you covered there, too.
We also dive into the world of tyre brands, comparing top manufacturers like BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres.
But we don't just stop at helping you choose the right tyres – we also share tips on how to keep them in tip-top shape. From checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres properly inflated to extending their life through regular rotation and balancing, our articles have got you covered.
So, whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, our car help and advice articles are here to help you make informed decisions about your tyres. Check them out and feel confident in your tyre choices!
