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• Superstitious battery charging 7 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  On cold mornings, about 1 mile from my work destination, I switch off: * heater fan * radio * lights (if safe to do so) I do this in the (probably mistaken) belief that this will ensure the battery is "well charged up" for when I have to start it again 8 hours later, at 5PM in the evening. Any factual basis for my superstitious behaviour? Bruce
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  The battery in my key keeps draining, what could the problem be? 28 Mar 2023 (Ask HJ)
  My 3 year old 14,000 miles Volkswagen Golf (which I love) is eating through key batteries and the keys were replaced last June under warranty. It’s still...
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  With EVs, is age or mileage more important on a used model? 8 Jun 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I'm looking at a used electric vehicle. I would spend up to £9000, which bring five year old cars into range e.g. Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf. Can you...
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  Do I need to change my driving technique if switching from a diesel to a hybrid? 16 Aug 2018 (Ask HJ)
  Having driven diesel cars for the last 30 years, I am about to buy a Kia Niro Hybrid. Are there any differences in driving technique? Do I need to change...
• Subaru Legacy/Outback - Car key woes 16 Feb 2016 (Forum)
   I tried to reprogram the key several times but no joy.  I bought two new batteries and changed in both keys.  The regular key worked but not the spare.  I then reprogrammed both keys and they then both worked.  I had been fooled by a double fault.  1.  The battery, although showing the full 3 volts, was sitting down when it was put under load.
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  Why is my new Toyota Auris flattening its battery? 21 Dec 2013 (Ask HJ)
  My brand new Toyota Auris hybrid Icon has flattened its 12v battery twice in the first 300 miles, after being left locked (with nothing left on) in a garage...
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  Can I thank J&A Rigbye and Sons of Chorley for helping with my Citroen C4 Picasso's flat battery? 2 Mar 2013 (Ask HJ)
  Murphy's law states that when it is cold, snowing and a Saturday morning, that your car will not start due to a flat battery. I have a Citroen C4 Picasso,...
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  Ford Focus won't start after standing 1 Jul 2012 (Ask HJ)
  My Focus Ghia Tdci had been sat on the drive for the past two months while I was on military training. I have come back and started up my car after putting...
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  I'm thinking of replacing my Honda Legend with a Toyota Prius - but how long will the Prius' batteries last? 8 Nov 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I own two Honda cars which, at 18 years old, are now coming to the end of their economic lives. So I now need a new or secondhand car to replace one of...
• fiat punto - charging problem 22 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I have fitted a new battery and alternator to my 1998 s60 punto but it does not want to charge the battery. any ideas to solve this problem thank you.
• Hyundai i10 - Hyundai i10 battery head scratching 22 Oct 2019 (Forum)
  So, what do people think in my case?  Should we spend over twice as much for another Korean battery than is likely to fail in three years time to get it done by the dealership (25 miles away) or should I just do what I normally do and swap it myself?
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  Can I reverse the emissions fix by disconnecting the battery? 19 Apr 2017 (Ask HJ)
  My SEAT had the "fix", which has ruined the performance and fuel consumption and will likely lead to EGR failure in the future. Can I reset it by disconnecting...
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  Will the battery go flat if I stow away my MG GS for a month? 22 Feb 2017 (Ask HJ)
  Will my MG GS be okay being stowed away for a month or will the battery go flat and will I lose the radio code?
• Ford Fiesta Saloon - Maintaining battery. When left unused 4 Sep 2015 (Forum)
  I have a new fiesta titanium which may be left unattended for a month or so. Last time I did this the battery was flat on my return. (No surprise says the aa man, modern cars consume current even when ignition is off) I have a 1.5 watt solar panel battery charger and am thinking of plugging this into the cigar lighter socket whilst I'm away.
• 2014 Golf GT Mark 7 Petrol and 2009 Fiat 500 Diesel - Battery when left for 5 weeks 9 Dec 2014 (Forum)
  Hello, we're probably going to have to leave both cars unused for about 5 weeks, and I'm after some advice about the batteries. Firstly, for that length of time is trickle charging really necessary or advised? Secondly, a solar panel in the car would be the most convenient solution compared to leaving plugged in to the mains, but I'm confused by the different sizes available and charging points (12v socket, direct to battery or via the diganostic port).
• Ford Fiesta - Buying - noticed a few things on test drive 6 Jul 2014 (Forum)
  Would appreciate more knowledgable opionion than mine... BATTERY When I arrived, dealer mentioned having to charge the battery before bringing the car out the front. Should I be looking to deduct the cost of a new battery from price? Could anything else more serious be going on (the battery light went off OK when starting)?
• Any - Battery and Alternator Management Systems 30 Jan 2014 (Forum)
  However there is always plenty of power to start the car before each journey. It appears to be the original battery. Any ideas about an inexpensive solution?   
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  What's causing mu car to screech at start up? 22 Oct 2013 (Ask HJ)
  My Nissan X-Trail makes an awful screeching noise when it starts up, yet rights itself once I get moving. Can you tell me what’s going on?
• Peugeot 308 - Jump start: Negative terminal is not reachable 11 May 2013 (Forum)
  Hi all, I have two Peugeots, 308 and 307. 307's battery is drained due to forgotten headlight. So I am aiming to run it by jump starting from 308. However, the problem is, the negative terminal of the 308's battery is not reachable. I can reach it by removing the red thing on top of the battery but I guess the car won't start before the jump start if I do so.
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  How should I change the battery on a modern car? 21 Apr 2012 (Ask HJ)
  Can you please provide me with appropriate advice and guidance on what precautions are advised and methodology applied when replacing the battery on modern...