Course Blog

So, you are late for a meeting. You rush into your car, and it will not start. The engine refuses to power on, and the lights do not comply. The only unit that links the two components is the battery. You deduce that your battery is now dead. How did all this happen overnight?

It is useful to know the purpose of a car battery, and how it functions. The battery essentially transmits power from its starter motor to the engine is spark plugs. This action ignites the fuel and powers up all the other car components.



Pay close attention to any electrical components such as lights and alarms, as they will indicate if your battery is close to dying. Now that we have got the context out of the way, let us get started on your battery issues.

1. Faulty charging mechanism



We stated earlier that the battery is the catalyst in firing up the engine. Once the engine is running, the alternator that sits on top of it becomes responsible for charging the battery.

If your car suddenly will not start despite driving recently, it points towards a faulty alternator. You are advised to get a thorough diagnostics to check to identify where the issue lies, and how it can be fixed.

2. You forgot to turn off your lights



It happens to the best of us. Sometimes we are too tired after a hard day is work, and we forget to turn off the headlights or cabin lights. As the story goes, the battery drains overnight.

Your best option would be to try and start it with jumper cables. If that is not possible, make a booking from your resident flat battery assistant, ServiceMyCar.

3. Temperature extremities



Extreme temperature conditions can also affect your battery health. We do not really have to worry about icy conditions, but the summer heat should be on our radar. New batteries are better equipped to handle extreme temperatures, but older ones fare far worse.

If it is a hot summer day and you notice some abnormalities, it is best to get a car battery diagnostics to check at ServiceMyCar.

4. One too many short drives



As we mentioned earlier, the alternator charges your battery up during the course of your drive. If you do not use your car for long drives, it limits the alternators charging capabilities. In other words, too many short trips will affect your battery health on the long road.

5. The dreaded parasitic draw



Firstly, you can relax. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic angst, we are not claiming there is a new infection that only affects car batteries. The term parasitic draw refers to minor electrical abnormalities that occur when the car is turned off.

Yet again, we come back to the alternator and its behavior. Since it cannot power the battery when the car is turned off, some electrical issue could drain your battery while it s turned off.

The best way to deal with a potential parasitic draw is to ensure you turn off any electrical unit in your car such as the headlights and cabin lights. You must also ensure that your glove compartment, your trunk, and all the doors are closed correctly, as they tend to use battery power in various ways.

6. Finally, your battery may just be old



You know the saying nothing lasts forever. The same applies to your car battery. If you are lucky, you can have a battery that lasts up to 5 years.

However, if your battery is reaching the last stages of its life, it can start acting up. If your battery dies quickly despite repeated jumpstarts, it is time one-stop-shop.

ServiceMyCar is a one-stop-shop for all your car battery needs. When you have realized that you run out of power and require a car battery replacement, we offer a comprehensive service.

We can arrive at your location, jumpstart your car, and take it to the workshop, all at once with our car recovery service. Making a booking is easier than ever with our technological platforms.

For Example, If you are a dodge owner and you are facing a battery issue with your car, then you need to find dodge service center to get the best battery service , SMC application will assist you to find the top rated garages with free pick-up and delivery service.

Get a car battery replacement today at authorized service center. Book now using the ServiceMyCar app or website.

So, youâ??ve just gotten into your car and started it. Everything seems normal until a new sign appears on your dashboard. More often than not, itâ??s not too serious. These signs typically indicate that thereâ??s either something wrong with your car or a feature you should be aware of.

Regardless of which one it is, you should know what it indicates to stay on top of potential issues. While the signs depend on what car you drive, they mostly have a universal design. Still, it doesnâ??t hurt to peruse through the ownerâ??s manual so youâ??re aware of what each sign means.

To help get you started, weâ??ve created this guide for some of the most common car warning signs to look out for.

How do you check car warning lights?


Usually, youâ??d be aware of a warning sign when your car has a problem. However, if you want to check how all your lights look and function, itâ??s straightforward. You can start by turning your car on. If your vehicle has a key start, you can access the â??onâ?? mode.

To do this, you insert the key into the ignition. However, instead of twisting to the â??startâ?? position (two steps clockwise), you stop at the â??onâ?? position (one step clockwise). Once youâ??ve accessed the â??onâ?? mode, you can see most, or all, the dashboard signs illuminate.

Different cars have different methods of accessing this mode. Especially if your vehicle has a push-to-start function, itâ??s advisable to consult the ownerâ??s manual. We recommend you carry out this check-in in a dimly lit atmosphere as a bonus tip. Itâ??ll be a lot easier to see the signs properly.

What do yellow signs on your dashboard indicate?


As we mentioned earlier, the colour convention has a universal value, at least for the red and yellow signs. Red signs typically indicate an almost fatal issue with your car. If you see any of these signs, itâ??s best to avoid driving your vehicle at most costs.

A yellow sign indicates an issue that would need to be serviced shortly. You can note such signs and inform your garage or mechanic when your car is in for a service. There are other colours used too, such as green and blue. They typically indicate a particular feature of your vehicle is being used.

What are the most common dashboard warning lights?

The Oil Pressure Alert
This alert indicates that your engine oil levels are low. It could also signal an issue with your oil pressure system.

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Alert
Anti-lock brakes are essential since they prevent your car from skidding every time you brake. This alert indicates that your ABS isnâ??t functioning properly, putting you at risk of skidding.

The Check Engine Alert
Since your engine is an intricate module with many moving parts, this alert could indicate an issue with just about anything. It could be anything from a problem with your oxygen sensor, to an unfastened fuel cap.

The Adaptive Headlights Alert
This alert indicates that thereâ??s an issue with your adaptive headlights system. Itâ??s not a significant concern since your headlights should work fine. The adaptive aspect is only used to ensure your headlights swivel towards the same direction your car is turning to.

The Washer Fluid Alert
This oneâ??s a lot easier to understand than the others. It simply means you need to refill your washer fluid.

The Tyre Pressure Alert
While this alert may be a little challenging to identify at first, itâ??s self-explanatory. This indicates that some of your tyres may not have proper air pressure in them. Itâ??s best to get your tyre pressure checked, and filled appropriately if you see this sign.

The Traction Control Alert
This could mean one of two things: one, either your traction control is turned off, or two, your car will not stay stable when you make turns.

While both of them result in the same thing, only one of them is in your control. If your traction control is still on, then itâ??s advisable to go to the nearest garage and get this issue fixed.

The Low Fuel Alert
This is another simple one. Your fuel is too low, and you need to get it filled ASAP.

The Engine Temperature Warning
This warning is indicative of your engine overheating. If this light is on, itâ??s best to avoid driving your car without checking if it has cooled down first. If the light persists, itâ??s advisable to get it checked immediately.

The Battery Warning
This red alert typically indicates that thereâ??s something wrong with your charging system. It may momentarily light up when you start your car, but if it remains, and your vehicle doesnâ??t start, it could be a problem.

What to do if you see any of these signs?


Whether itâ??s one of the more innocuous ones or one of the fatal ones, these signs have to be taken seriously. In this case, itâ??s crucial to have a trusted car repair like vw service thatâ??s easily accessible through Android/iOS application.

It even doesnâ??t matter if youâ??re a driving pro, as the drivers around you can put you in harmâ??s way. Our fog driving guide is made to ensure youâ??re aware of the best practices to follow for such situations.

It's necessary to do all the checkups and services from top-rated service centers like ferrari repair before the season starts.

When it gets hazy, remember to follow these tips, so you get back home safe and sound.

Turn on your low beams and fog lights.

This is the critical first step to follow when driving in fog. It seems obvious, but many people donâ??t really heed it. Weâ??re conditioned to use our headlights on full when thereâ??s low visibility. However, when itâ??s foggy, thatâ??s an absolute no-no.

You must turn on your low beams and your fog lights to ensure that you remain visible to other cars around you.

Reduce your speed. This is not a normal driving situation.

This is another obvious tip. Yet again, not enough people take this seriously. You must always reduce your speed to safe levels when thereâ??s low visibility.

If the fog is too dense, it practically impairs your vision. This means you can never be slow enough. Still, by maintaining a safe speed, you mitigate the risk of getting into an accident.

Turn off cruise control.

You need complete control of your vehicle for such conditions.
Thereâ??s low visibility. You never know what surprises lie ahead on the road. Itâ??s best practice to have complete control of your car, and not rely on features such as cruise control.

Maintain a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you.

Along with decreased visibility comes longer braking times. This is where the increased safe distance comes in. It not only ensures your safety but that of other drivers too.

Try to minimize any distractions.

Turn off the music and keep away from your phone. All your focus should be on the road and getting back home safely.

Use the right-end of the road as a guide.

Lane discipline can be a nightmare when thereâ??s low visibility. Itâ??s best to stay close to the right end of your lane to counter this. This ensures that you donâ??t drift too close to the left end and get into the other lane.

If you want to pull over, use your indicators and move as far to the side as possible.

If fog driving is too taxing for you, you may want to stop by the side. Itâ??s absolutely vital to turning on your hazard lights once youâ??ve stopped. You can never be too assured that people can see you stopped at the side, so try your best to move as far away from the road as possible.

Take proper care of your car to avoid surprise breakdowns in the fog.

The only thing worse than driving in the fog is dealing with a car breakdown in the mist. Taking proper care of your vehicle by following routine service schedules is the best way to ensure its top condition.

Moreover, itâ??s a good idea to ensure your fog lights are working correctly, so you can put them to use in such situations.