Car batteries

[Hom3r]

Is it better for a car that does short runs to drive with the lights on all the time, te idea being it should help the alternator to charge the battery as it is under load,

Or should you drive without lights (obviously at night put them on)

[demented]

Erm, best off doing long runs without the lights AFAIK?

[Hom3r]

The person who own the car has now retired and only uses the car for picking up grand kids, DRs, shopping.

Long runs are not needed.

[demented]

Fair enough, I'd still not use the lights. How old is the battery? From my limited experience of dodgy peugeot ones low batteries + december don't go well.

[Hom3r]

Brand new battery on a Mitsubushi Pajero 2.5L

[Gary L]

Drive with lights off.
turning the aircon and heater on isn't going to charge the battery any quicker.

[Matth]

The alternator will deliver more usable charging power when there is no other load, and for short runs, it's still got to replenish starter drain and self-discharge.

[bw41101]

If you're worried about your car battery at this time of year, then consider the following:

* Lights, heaters and windscreen wipers put high demands on the battery. If the car is driven mainly in dark rush-hour trips, the battery will give out eventually.

* Avoid running car electrics any longer than necessary – turn the heater fan down and switch the heated rear window off once windows are clear.

* If the car stands idle most of the weekend a regular overnight trickle charge is a good idea to give the battery a chance to revive.

* When you're starting up the car ensure that non-essentials like lights, rear screen heater and wipers are turned off.

* Use the starter in short five-second bursts if the engine doesn't start quickly, leaving thirty seconds between attempts to allow the battery to recover.

* Knowing how to look after your battery is also useful. Regularly open the inspection ports and have a look at the cells within. These should be covered to around 8mm (1/4") with fluid - if not, then top up with de-ionised/distilled water.

* Regularly check the battery connections for security, a smear of vaseline on the battery terminals works wonders.

* If you are unlucky enough to have a flat battery and require a jump start from another vehicle. When you connect the jump leads remember the following:

+ve of the donor (good) battery to the +ve of the vehicle with the dead battery.
-ve of the donor battery to a clean part of the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. Failure to do this can easily damage the diodes within the vehicle's alternator.

Also take into account that a jump start is (at best) a surface charge, the battery must be properly recharged at the earliest opportunity.

That's it and Si thee