Problem starting car? This can be avoided. Check the status of this device!

A bad car start is the most common unpleasant surprise that drivers face during the Christmas and New Year period. Most failures are caused by electronics being severely tested by the weather.

On holidays and the New Year, we spend more time with the family at the table, and not in cars. During this time, unused cars that sit for several days in frost, cold or damp are at risk of accidents and serious breakdowns, mainly electronics. They question visiting relatives, returning home, or going to work after a vacation. They can also lead to high repair costs. In such cases, a motorcycle assistance service comes to the rescue.

– During the Christmas and New Year period, the mobility of Poles is reduced, and therefore there are fewer relief interventions. However, they apply to special situations where our clients cannot come for Christmas, New Year or return home. Most of the interventions, i.e. almost 88%, relate to problems with starting vehicles. This is 12% more than in other cold months of the year. The reasons for the calls are primarily battery failures, as well as glow plugs and spark plugs of cars that have not been used by their owners for several days, says Piotr Ruszowski, director of sales and marketing at Mondial Assistance.

Plague of dead batteries

Cars, especially new generations, are crammed with electronics. In addition to the obvious benefits, this makes him more susceptible to the elements. What's more, in the event of a failure of, for example, a battery, "normal" connecting cables or a charger are no longer sufficient. In turn, they can do more harm than good. Another issue is that in many modern cars, in order to get to the energy storage device, a visit to a specialized workshop is required. For the same reason, the number of complaints about breakdowns is steadily growing.

A common cause of failure is also driving short distances, which does not allow the battery to be fully charged. In the case of older vehicles, modifications to the electrical system or the use of cheaper substitutes, such as actuators or immobilizers that are not resistant to low temperatures or moisture, can also be a source of problems.

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– Technical assistance drivers called to the scene of an accident are people who have the knowledge and special equipment to start vehicles, regardless of their age and technical progress. As a result, more than half of interventions at the scene are effective. Of course, there are situations when it becomes necessary to have the vehicle towed to an authorized workshop. In this case, victims willingly use a replacement car or transport to their place of residence, emphasizes Piotr Ruszovsky from Mondial Assistance.

To minimize the risk of battery problems, there are seven basic rules to keep in mind:

1. The risk of failure increases with age.

2. Battery capacity decreases as the ambient temperature drops.

3. The battery is not fully charged when driving only for short distances.

4. Most energy is consumed when starting a car. More power is required when the battery is loaded with additional devices such as air conditioning.

5. After starting the car, immediately drive a few kilometers to charge the battery. Then plug it in to recharge.

6. The cause of problems with starting can also be a faulty alternator, starter, glow plugs or spark plugs, as well as tarnished contacts.

7. Too high or too low electrical system voltage will shorten battery life.

Source: Mondial Assistance

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