Bad start to the week

[selenay]

Why is it always a Monday when cars decide not to start? The one day of the week when I have to be in work half an hour early?

Apparently the battery went flat, despite having nothing turned on in the car that would drain power. Nope, not even the lights. Had to drag my father out of bed to jump start the car and ended up late to work. And because there was no reason for the battery to go, there's a chance that it will do a repeat performance so I need to make sure that there is someone around to potentially give the car another jump when I leave tonight. Yay.

Can I have a refund on this week?

Comments

It's Dead, Jim

[margec01.livejournal.com]

Once batteries get to a certain age, they just can't hold a charge anymore. Usually sometime around 3 to 4 years old. If yours is that old, might just be time to replace it to solve additional problems in the next few months.

If it's newer than that, check for corrosion on the battery terminals. That can keep the charge from flowing properly.

I know, probably more than you ever wanted to know about batteries, and likely what your dad already told you. (g)

Re: It's Dead, Jim

[selenay]

My car is around 8 years old, I've had for around five years and haven't replaced her battery in that time. So it's entirely possible that your suggestion is right *sigh* Poor Baby. She started successfully this evening, so I'll have to see how she gets on tomorrow morning when she will have had a whole thirteen hours to lose her battery charge.

The annoying thing is that I planned to buy new glasses this month and a new battery (and the associated mechanic's charges - none of us know enough to safely replace the battery) will probably wipe out the new glasses fund. Grrr.

Re: It's Dead, Jim

[margec01.livejournal.com]

I suppose a car battery could be more expensive in the UK. Here it would be about $70 and includes installation (which is very easy, but I wouldn't do it either). Since my last pair of glasses in October cost me almost $500, I'll take a dead battery over new glasses any day!

Re: It's Dead, Jim

[selenay]

*g* My last pair of glasses cost £400, four years ago, so I'm probably looking at £450-£500 this time around. The battery, I hope, will come in at under £100 so it is a slightly cheaper purchase!

However, it's looking like a neccessary purchase - Baby wouldn't start again this morning so she's visiting the mechanic tomorrow. Poor thing.