Drivers are only just realising there’s a ‘hidden code’ which reveals if key car part needs replacing
DRIVERS are only just finding a hidden code in their car that could be the key to knowing the perfect time to replace a very important part of your motor.
An insurance expert has revealed the secret engraved combination could be the best way to avoid your car breaking down this bitterly cold winter time.
The clever people over at Howden Insurance have shared that the special code is hiding on everyone’s car battery – a key component in the car – that tells you exactly when it needs replacing.
Car batteries are one of the most common causes of breakdowns in the winter due to the freezing temperatures affecting how well the batteries can hold their charge.
The RAC reportedly have to deal with more than 400,000 battery related vehicle breakdowns each year as the days get shorter and the mornings become bitterly cold.
A car battery typically lasts up to five years so knowing when it’s time is up and it needs changing is a vital skill to have.
Experts recommend to be careful at anywhere past three years and keep an eye on your motor so you stay safe on the roads.
Cars that were bought brand new should have a battery that’s also fresh so knowing the age of it should be simple.
Second hand cars are a little trickier however as the batteries age could be sitting at any age unless you get the right information.
Howdens have a cheeky method though to solve all of these problems and once and for all catch up with the battery and figure out when it’s time to move on.
Firstly open your car bonnet and find the battery.
If you’re in luck it could have a sticker on it which tells you the month and year it was manufactured in.
The format will be something like 4/21, which shows the battery was made in April 2021 for example.
If the year is before the three to five range then the battery is probably going to be fine for another few years at least.
If there’s no date sticker, check the battery cover or the battery itself for a heat stamped or engraved code.
It would be made up of a series of numbers and letters that reveal the important details about the battery.
The first two digits tell you when the battery was made – the first digit is the last number of the year that the battery was made, such as an 8 for 2018.
The second digit is a letter that corresponds to the month it was manufactured from A to L to correlate with January to December.
As an example, if the sticker reads 2F it would mean the battery was made in June 2022.
Note that different manufacturers might have the first two digits swapped around but it still uses the same formula.
Experts have also recommended taking your car out for longer drives of at least 30 minutes to help recharge your battery to a more optimal state as short trips can put extra stress on it.
Make sure to also switch off anything that might put extra strain on the battery such as lights, wipers, heaters and the radio before turning on the ignition.