A car battery will lose its charge and become flat if it is not used regularly, or if the car is used for short journeys only when the battery will not have enough time to recharge itself properly. The term for this is ‘undercharging’. This leads to a hardening of the lead plates within the battery that affects its ability to hold a charge. This is known as sulphation. Geeky, we know!

As a car battery works on a chemical reaction basis, the environment temperature and humidity can also play a crucial role in battery performance. A battery operates at maximum efficiency at a temperature of 26.7℃ or 80℉. Higher temperatures speed up internal corrosion within the battery’s cells which reduces the life of the battery. Colder temperatures inhibit a battery’s ability to provide sufficient power to start and run a vehicle. Leaving an interior light on accidentally can be enough to run your battery flat if left on for long enough. This has happened to us a few times.