Dead battery on a Sydney road?
If the car dies in traffic or on a motorway, put the hazard lights on, get everyone out on the side away from the traffic and somewhere safe, and call roadside assistance if you have it. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 000. Don't try to jump start a battery that's cracked, damaged or leaking.
Why Sydney is hard on a battery
The west runs hot
The western suburbs run 6 to 10 degrees hotter than the CBD in late spring and summer, and Penrith averages 67 days a year above 30 degrees. NRMA says extreme heat can shorten battery life, and RACV suggests parking in shade or a garage on hot days.
Short hops and slow traffic
RACV says trips under 20 minutes don't give the alternator time to recharge the battery. School drop-offs, the shops and crawling traffic on roads already at capacity add up to a battery that never quite catches up.
Stop-start and newer cars
Stop-start engines put extra load on the battery, and RAC WA says AGM batteries suit them. Some new batteries also need the car's electrical system reset once fitted, called battery registration. RACT warns that a wrong or substandard battery can leave a car that won't start even when it's fully charged.
Cars that mostly sit
A car that only comes out on weekends can run its battery down just sitting there. RACQ says a car with keyless entry stays awake looking for the key if nobody locks it, so lock it, even in a garage or an apartment car park.
Is it the battery or the alternator?
RAC WA says slow cranking and fading dash lights can also mean a faulty alternator, and a multimeter test tells the two apart. Ask for the charging system to be tested too, so a new battery doesn't go into a car that'll flatten it again.
If you've had a jump start, don't count on the drive home to top it back up. NRMA says a jump start won't fully recharge a battery, so have it checked soon after.
What to ask before a new battery goes in
- Is the replacement the right type for this car, standard or AGM, with the same size and terminal positions?
- Does it have the same or a higher cold cranking amps (CCA) rating than the old one?
- Does the car need a battery registration or reset after it's fitted?
- What did the charging system test show?
- Will the old battery go to a licensed recycler?
Where we'd start
If the battery in a Sydney car is past three years old and summer's on its way, we'd have it tested before the first run of hot days, not after it fails in a shopping centre car park. NRMA suggests testing once or twice a year from about three years on.