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Original poster

What are you doing about your cars?

82 replies

QuestionableMouse · 27/03/2020 10:31

Mine hasn't moved for the best part of two weeks. I have no essential reason to go out but I'm thinking about going for a quick drive just to keep the car ticking over. (Can do a loop, up to the motorway and back) I really don't want a flat battery if I do need to go out because I don't have anyone to jump start it!

OP posts:

Original poster

QuestionableMouse · 27/03/2020 12:03

The brakes like to stick on mine which can be a pain.

OP posts:

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 27/03/2020 12:08

A friend went to go out in her car for the first time yesterday after 14 days of isolation and the battery was dead! Halfords we’re going to charge her £500 so she called a local garage who came out and only charged £150.

I’ll be just starting mine up once a week.

LillianFullStop · 27/03/2020 12:12

I think that sound sensible OP

MigginsMrs · 27/03/2020 12:16

Oh well, I’ll be driving it tomorrow anyway about a 20 mile round trip

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 27/03/2020 12:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

IntermittentParps · 27/03/2020 12:23

I know someone who's shielding who is offering her car to an NHS worker so they don't have to get public transport to work.

MsChatterbox · 27/03/2020 12:24

I can't click on the RAC advice link, what does it say please?

Stefoscope · 27/03/2020 12:25

I don't drive my car much anyway, so I have a charger and plug it in for a few hours if I've not used it in a while.

playthestation · 27/03/2020 12:28

Halfords we’re going to charge her £500 so she called a local garage who came out and only charged £150.

ONLY!!!!

That is an absolute rip off of she just needed a jump start!!

Bojo1 · 27/03/2020 12:30

I’m back at work on Monday so will need to charge it before I go. Thankfully I have a car charger. It’s a life saver at times

playthestation · 27/03/2020 12:31

I’ll be just starting mine up once a week.

If you start it and don't give it a decent run you will just be contributing towards the battery decline.

FartingInTheFence · 27/03/2020 12:32

Christ, you all must drive fucking shit cars if the batteries are dying because they are stood still!

LOL

ClientQueen · 27/03/2020 12:39

Mines just been out for a run as the garage collected it for it's service and MOT

playthestation · 27/03/2020 12:39

*Christ, you all must drive fucking shit cars if the batteries are dying because they are stood still!
**
*Christ, you are nasty and judgemental.

LOL

And you think it's funny.

I feel embarrassed for you.

ClientQueen · 27/03/2020 12:42

Just to add if you can get your MOT done sooner it is worth it even though it's been extended - mine has advisories and likely would have failed and been dangerous if I had left it another 6 months

MigginsMrs · 27/03/2020 12:47

*Christ, you all must drive fucking shit cars if the batteries are dying because they are stood still!

LOL*

Yeah it’s not the worlds greatest car but I can’t afford a new one. Pleased you think it’s funny

ginghamstarfish · 27/03/2020 12:55

We drove 10 miles last weekend to a remote area to have a quick walk, but it was really to use the car as it had been standing on the drive for 2 weeks (we are both WFH) with some frosty mornings. Can't do that any more, and managing to get groceries delivered, so fingers crossed the weather is now warmer it will be ok when needed again.

mencken · 27/03/2020 12:55

don't just start it and then turn it off. Go out for 20 mins or so. But think about it - if you went on holiday it would sit for a week or two and you'd still expect it to start.

myusernamewastakenbyme · 27/03/2020 12:55

Can someone pls explain the hysteria when someone suggests going out in their car....if its because of the risk of having an accident then surely just as many accidents happen in the home.

mencken · 27/03/2020 12:56

BTW it is the newer cars that are more likely to drain the batteries due to vast numbers of pointless gadgets. Old bangers will last much longer.

it is the new cars that are shit. A fairly common rule with newer stuff.

playthestation · 27/03/2020 12:59

Can someone pls explain the hysteria when someone suggests going out in their car....

It's not hysteria so much as acknowledging the 'stay at home' idea.

if its because of the risk of having an accident then surely just as many accidents happen in the home.

What car crashes? In the home? Nah.

stargaze2 · 27/03/2020 13:05

I was just looking on the AA website and it says to run the car for 15mins once a week. I'm confused 🙄

playthestation · 27/03/2020 13:13

I was just looking on the AA website and it says to run the car for 15mins once a week. I'm confused 🙄

That is general advice not new cornavirus advice. The AA are not suggesting people go out for a drive at this time. Nothing to be confused about. A 15 run means drive it for 15 mins, not round the block for 2/3 mins. 15 mins is enough to give the battery some power.

CallmeAngelina · 27/03/2020 13:21

It's an automatic so can't be jump started if the battery is dead

Eh? Since when? I've had an automatic for the last 15 years and have always jump-started it with leads if required.
It's perfectly adequate to leave it running on the drive for 20 minutes or so - you don't need to actually drive it anywhere (so said the last breakdown guy I saw).

MsChatterbox · 27/03/2020 13:25

Would just having it turned on on the drive be acceptable as opposed to driving it?

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