My Car Won't Start!

[Tilly2]

Dead as a dodo!

The AA are coming to rescue me.

[murraymints]

He may want to sell you one..surprise..get started and drive around for a bit ...how old is current one ?

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Melv and Minty.

[Tilly2]

The car is just over three years old, Minty.

[murraymints]

Indeed gulliver ! Melv..behave ! ;0)

[MargoTester]

Tilly have you tried a bunch of twigs and a good talking to a la Basil Fawlty

[murraymints]

That should still be good Tilly..any problems before ?

[murraymints]

Combination of cold and inactivity...will be fine after a jump..but drive around a bit before stopping again..half hour should do

[Tilly2]

Margo, I've done that but I hit it with a pair of gloves.

No, Minty, no problems before. I suspect it's because it's been standing for so long.

[davegosling]

Batteries don't last forever - three years is about average. Standing idle in cold weather really drains them. Remember, when the AA get the car started again, you need to drive it for around 20 minutes to get the battery fully charged again.

[murraymints]

Last car had same battery for 8 years..sold with it still good

[Tilly2]

Twenty minutes, half an hour, in the snow? Oh heck!

[murraymints]

Find a main road that's clear and poodle up and down

[Tilly2]

Will do that, Minty. I like poodling. :-)

[murraymints]

Dinnae tell Tilly you like poodles !

[bhg481]

20 mins to get the battery fully charged again! It takes 20 minutes' driving to replace a start, let alone charge it fully from flat. Batteries tend to be around 40-50 amp hours capacity, so would need to be charged at 40-50 amps for around an hour to charge from fully flat, without allowing for the fact that the charging is not 100% efficient; that would boil the battery. You need to get it on a battery charger or drive it for quite a while.

[Tilly2]

Andy, the AA man is here. He's sent me back into the house whilst he's checking the car. I asked him if he wanted a cup of tea but he declined.

[Hopkirk]

An original battery should last far more than three years.

In my experience Vauxhall ones last about ten.

Beware, these breakdown guys are on commission selling batteries.

[davegosling]

https://www.warrantywise.co.uk/blog/how-often-should-you-replace-your-car-battery

[Tilly2]

♫ On the road again...♫

Totally flat battery. Andy, the AA man recommended that I got a trickle charger.

[murraymints]

You got sorted Tilly ?