Hidden code could save you from a breakdown as Storm Gerrit to bring icy blast – check if you’re at risk
A HIDDEN code on your car’s battery could save you from breaking down this winter.
Experts at Howden Insurance have revealed new tricks to motorists to help prevent your car from breaking down this winter.
Car batteries are one of the common causes of winter breakdowns due to the colder weather affecting the battery’s performance.
The RAC deals with over 400,000 battery-related vehicle breakdowns each winter.
A car battery normally lasts between three to five years, so knowing specifically when to change it can be tricky.
If the car was new when you bought it usually the battery will be a similar age to the car itself.
However, you are unlikely to know the battery’s age if the car was bought second-hand.
In this case, open the car bonnet and check the battery – some batteries will have a sticker on them with a recognisable date format such as 4/21.
If there is no date sticker, drivers must check the battery cover or the battery itself for a heat-stamped or engraved code consisting of numbers and letters.
The first two digits show which year the battery was manufactured.
The first number of the code represents the last number of the year the battery was made – for example, 7 for 2017.
The second digit, which ranges from A to L indicates the month it was made.
For example, 7D would signify the battery was manufactured in April 2017.
Depending on the manufacturer these first two digits could be swapped around (e.g. D7), but is still interpreted the same.
Battery Codes
Letter and corresponding month Number and corresponding year
A – January 2 – 2012
B – February 3 – 2013
C – March 4 – 2014
D – April 5 – 2015
E – May 6 – 2016
F – June 7 -2017
G – July 8 – 2018
H – August 9 – 2019
I – September 0 – 2020
J – October 1 – 2021
K – November 2 – 2022
L – December 3 – 2023
If your car’s battery is relatively new and you’re still struggling to start your car it is possible due to making regular short journeys that damage your battery.
According to experts longer drives of around 30 minutes help recharge the battery to a more optimal state.
Make sure to switch off anything that might cause extra wear on the battery such as lights, wipers, the heater and radio before turning the car on.
Monitoring your battery’s life and performance is not the only way you can prevent your car from breaking down this winter.
Check your engine coolant
Engine coolant includes ionised water and antifreeze which prevents the engine from overheating and stops the water from freezing in colder conditions.
Your car’s coolant does not need regular topping up – but drivers should check for leakage.
To check, switch off your engine and allow it to cool for 30 minutes – then open the bonnet and look for a semi-translucent reservoir known as the expansion tank.
The tank should contain the coolant liquid between the minimum and maximum marking on the side of the tank.
If you need to fill it up, use the recommended product for your vehicle’s manufacture as detailed in the car’s user manual – and fill it up to the maximum line.
Check your tyre pressure
Colder weather usually causes tyre pressures to drop more quickly.
Low tyre pressure can lead to excessive wear on your tyres and make punctures more likely.
To ensure your tyres are filled to the appropriate level regularly check them and use your vehicle handbook to make sure it is at the correct pressure for your car.
Drivers should check for tyre cracks, splits or bulges as these signs indicate that they need replacing.
Check your tyre tread depth
The minimum legal tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the middle three-quarters of the tyre – however, it is recommended to keep this above at least 3mm in winter conditions.
Ice and snow can cause the tyres to slide and rotate more often which can wear the tread down.
You can accurately check whether your tyres meet the legal requirement using a digital tread gauge, or you can use a 20p coin.
Place the coin into the tread groove of your tyre and check if you can see the outer banding of the coin.
If you can see the outer banding it means your tyre is below 1.6mm and needs to be replaced, if you cannot see it your tyre is road-legal.
De-ice your windscreen and wipers
A lot of cars breaking down this winter will be caused by a blown fuse when operating the wipers.
This happens when the wipers are frozen on the screen.
To prevent this drivers can cover their windscreen with an old sheet.
This will prevent ice from forming and stop your wipers from freezing on your windscreen.
Drivers should check their wipers are turned off before starting their journey.