Author: Ryan Hirons

What is it?

Remember when a Porsche SUV was considered sacrilege? Those days are long gone, in no small part thanks to a modern market that sees pretty much everyone in on the action.

Porsche will always be the first to popularise the Sports Utility Vehicle though, with the Cayenne in 2002, and it’s almost hard to believe its smaller sibling in the Macan has already been around four years. In fact, the German firm has decided now is the time to give the latter a facelift — and that’s what we’re looking at here.

What’s new?

Visual changes for the Macan are pretty light here, but certainly noticeable. Up front, new LED headlights now come as standard across the range alongside a slightly tweaked bumper design. It’s at the back where changes become really noticeable though, with a new full-width LED strip connecting the rear lights. New 20-inch alloys are available for no extra cost, while a fresh 21-inch option is also on offer.

Inside the car, a new dashboard houses a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system — which comes loaded with Porsche’s Connect Plus system, relaying real-time traffic data to the driver. There’s also now a Sport Response Button — which gears the car up for max power for 20 seconds.

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#Porsche #Macan #carsofinstagram #mallorca #spain

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What’s under the bonnet?

In Macan S guise as tested here, a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 can be found underneath the bonnet — sending power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Power has been boosted slightly over the outgoing model, now producing 349bhp and 480Nm of torque — up from 335bhp and 460Nm.

What that translates to in performance figures hasn’t been officially revealed but expect the 0-60mph sprint to be quicker than the previous car’s 5.2 seconds and higher than its 158mph top speed. Efficiency figures have yet to be finalised.

In typical Porsche fashion, it’s a fruitful and strong engine — delivering consistent power delivery across the rev range, and really coming alive beyond 5,000rpm. That said, it is hampered slightly by a hesitant gearbox.

What’s it like to drive?

The Porsche Macan has always been up there as one of the best driving SUVs on the market, if not the, and a refresh has only built on that. When pressing on, the chassis remains composed and does a great job at hiding the size, weight and higher centre of gravity of the car. Steering weighs up well too — and there’s the sense that this is about as close to a proper Porsche hot hatch we may ever see.

As well as offering a genuinely compelling spirited driving experience, the Macan is a capable cruiser too. At motorway speeds, it feels well-refined and comfortable. Cabin noise is pretty low, and switching off the optional active exhaust takes the engine from raucous to relaxing.

How does it look?

A first glance at the refreshed Porsche Macan might leave you a little stumped as to what’s actually changed but delve deeper into the details and there’s a lot of differences to be found.

New (standard equipment) LED headlights and a revised bumper design don’t set the world alight but do give the SUV a fresh edge, although a major revision at the back brings a full-width LED strip connecting the rear lights. It harks back to 911s of old, while also bringing it in line with Porsche’s new offerings. We like it.

From an image standpoint, it still comes with that prestige the Porsche badge brings. Sure, die-hard fans of the firm may still condemn it — but this is the car that drives sales of its more exotic machinery.

What’s it like inside?

Hopping into the Porsche Macan is a pleasant experience from a luxury standpoint. The cabin is draped in premium materials, with leather featuring on almost every surface — plus the option of metal, carbon-effect or wooden trim inlays,

It all feels wonderfully put together, and the Alcantara steering wheel fitted to our test Macan S is a must-have option in our view. That said, there are some drawbacks — with the layout of controls remaining identical as before. The centre console is clunky, and it can be difficult to manage various car settings while keeping eyes on the road as a result. The latest generation of Porsche models has rectified this problem, so it’s a shame to see the Macan refresh is yet to benefit.

What’s the spec like?

UK pricing and specs are still a while away from being revealed, so it’s hard to predict where the new Macan S stands from a value perspective — but there’s definitely a lot to be excited about.

Along with the now-standard inclusion of LED headlights, there’s a new 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that boasts a clever new Connect System that can feed real-time traffic information to the driver plus a fresh selection of both 20-inch and 21-inch alloy wheels available.

A new key addition too is the Sport Response Button. When operated, this sets the car up for a burst of full grunt. Gimmicky, sure, but it can be a lot of fun to use on the right road.

Verdict

A refresh hasn’t drastically transformed the Porsche Macan S, but it has turned it into an even more appealing package. It continues to prove that opting for an SUV doesn’t mean sacrificing a true driving experience nor performance — while also building an appetite for a real Porsche hot hatch.

The S, in particular, proves to be a more compelling option than the four-cylinder base car, offering a new world of performance in comparison. How it fares on a value perspective remains to be seen.

Room for improvement remains, though. A sharper gearbox would add a lot to the package, and we’d like to see a more streamlined cabin layout.

Facts at a glance

• Model: Porsche Macan S
• Price: N/A
• Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
• Power (bhp): 349
• Torque (Nm): 480Nm
• Max speed (mph): TBA
• 0-60mph: TBA
• MPG: TBA
• Emissions (g/km): TBA

What is it?

Land Rover has just revealed an all-new version of its ever-popular Range Rover Evoque, and we got the opportunity to get behind the wheel for some brief, but challenging, all-terrain driving — giving us a first taste of its off-roading credentials, and a glimpse at some of the impressive technology on-board.

What’s new?

Off the bat, the new Evoque is recognisable as being just that. It retains the silhouette of the outgoing car, along with similar dimensions, but brings the latest corporate Range Rover face to the machine for a mini-Velar appearance.

There’s also bags of new tech — the highlight being ClearSight Ground View, which projects an underside view of the car onto the central display. A trick rear view mirror uses a roof-mounted camera to project a clearer image, too, while an updated infotainment system rounds out the package.

What’s under the bonnet?

As mentioned, the Range Rover Evoque will launch with petrol and diesel engines — with the firm key to stress the latter remains a core part of its range — available with either front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. There’s also the option of a six-speed manual on the entry-level diesel engine, while a nine-speed automatic gearbox features elsewhere.

We drove the diesel mild-hybrid powertrain which will arrive later in 2019 alongside a petrol plug-in hybrid option — although Land Rover says there’s no plans for full electrification. Covering no more than 5mph on our brief drive, we’ll have to wait for a full on-road test before coming up with a final verdict on the ‘MHEV’ powertrain.

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Got behind the wheel of the new Range Rover Evoque today — albeit incredibly briefly. Looks the part, and a ton of impressive kit on-board too. #LandRover #RangeRover #Evoque #carsofinstagram #Shoreditch

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What’s it like to drive?

Our short course took us over some obstacles to demonstrate the go-anywhere capabilities of the new Range Rover Evoque, including faux-hills, train tracks and even through a swimming pool.

The compact SUV dealt well with everything thrown at it — although you’d expect so when the firm themselves designed the layout — giving off early positive signs.

It did also give us a chance to try out the new ClearSight tech. The Ground View system proved vital in positioning the car correctly on the train tracks — so we have no doubts it’ll be perfect to help avoid kerbs when parking — while the rear-view mirror really does take visibility from poor to outstanding. The latter is an option we’d likely struggle to go without.

How does it look?

The second-generation Range Rover Evoque is certainly more evolution than revolution — retaining the basic silhouette of its predecessor but bringing the latest corporate face with ultra slim LED headlights. Dimensions remain almost identical, while the car also gains more aggressively-designed arches for a ‘strong and dynamic’ look.

It gives off a mini-Velar kind of vibe, which to us is a great thing — even if Land Rover may choose to avoid that comparison. The sleek look of the larger SUV translates well onto the more compact body, and it’ll no doubt become the next must-have fashion accessory in certain circles.

What’s it like inside?

The similarities to the previous generation continue into the cabin — which retains a recognisable design, but with a more modern look and a roomier feel too. A steeply-raked instrument panel houses the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, giving access to car functions on the lower screen while providing media and navigation features up top.

New materials have also been introduced to the car. Those looking for a more eco-friendly alternative to leather can now opt for ‘Kvadrat’ — a material made from a combination of wool and Dinamica suedecloth, which is created from recycled bottles. It feels good to the touch, but we’ll have to see how it holds up on the comfort front over longer drives.

What’s the spec like?

Order books for the new Range Rover Evoque have now opened, with prices starting from £31,600. That money buys a D150 model, complete with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine producing 148bhp while paired to the manual gearbox option sending power through the front wheels.

As standard, equipment includes LED headlights, automatic wipers, a 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system, fabric seats and cruise control.

To take advantage of the new ClearSight Ground View and rear-view mirror tech, customers will have to opt for HSE or higher models, with prices starting at £41,250. Pricey, yes, but the technology is impressive enough to justify the cost.

Verdict

Early impressions of the new Range Rover Evoque are promising, with the car set to deliver some cutting-edge technology in a stylish package — albeit coming in quite pricey at its top end.

The ClearSight systems are genuinely cutting-edge and for the urban dwellers looking for a stylish package, the extra visibility these offer alone could sell the car. We’ll have to hold off on a final verdict until we get the Evoque on the road next year, but there’s reason to be excited.

Facts at a glance

Model: Range Rover Evoque
Price: £31,600 starting
Engine: 2.0-litre diesel mild-hybrid
Power (bhp): 178
Torque (Nm): 430Nm
Max speed (mph): 128
0-60mph: 8.8 seconds
MPG: 48.7
Emissions (g/km): 150g/km

Jeremy Clarkson is probably the most famous motoring journalist in the world, but it seems The Grand Tour presenter seems to be looking to stretch into a new career in acting.

A video posted on YouTube on Clarkson’s official page sees him play a Belgian traffic warden called David Souffle. The short sketch involves the former Top Gear host dressed in an apt uniform and sporting a comical moustache – presumably riffing on Agatha Christie’s famous fictional Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as portrayed on TV by David Suchet.

In the clip, Souffle approaches a German-registered Volkswagen Polo GTI that has been parked on double yellow lines. He begins to take its registration to ticket the vehicle but finds his eye caught by a nearby café and patisserie. After a few glances towards pastries in the window, Souffle abandons ticketing the VW and heads inside the café — at which point, the clip ends.

Little is known about why Clarkson has decided to do the sketch, but thanks to the video title we do at least know that David Souffle likes a pastry.

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His name is David Soufflé. He likes a pastry and part 1 of his story is on YouTube now.

A post shared by Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1) on Nov 15, 2018 at 12:32am PST

It appears this initial video could be the first in a series of clips, though. Shortly after the video went live, Clarkson posted an image on Instagram of himself dressed in character, captioned “His name is David Soufflé. He likes a pastry and part 1 of his story is on YouTube now.”

Hopefully things will soon become eclair-er…

Car sickness is a common problem many of us face. If you’re prone to feeling unwell in a car, there’s little more daunting than a long journey where you’re inevitably going to want to spend most of it performing a ‘technicolour yawn’ all over the backseat.

According to the RAC, one in five people experience symptoms of car sickness. If you’re one of those, there are some ways you can counter it — here’s our advice for keeping a queasy stomach at bay while on the road.

Pick the right seat

One way to avoid car sickness before even setting off can simply come down to picking the right seat. Minimising perceived motion can be super effective in countering symptoms, and there’s no better place to do that than in the front.

It’s believed sitting in the back of a car and staring at a stationary seat in front can trick your brain to think you’re not moving, but the sound coming to your ears will cause confusion — resulting in the feeling of sickness. Sitting in the middle seat if you must be in the back can help counter this, too.

Fix your eyes on this

This is aimed more at passengers than drivers but looking outside the car on a fixed point is another easy way to help counter the effects of motion sickness. Looking at passing objects or cars travelling the other way will enhance the effects — so instead, look to fix your eyes on one constant thing. Prominent scenery or the horizon line are usually good go-to options.

Take a break

No matter how hard you try to avoid motion sickness, the best cure is ultimately to be stationary. On longer journeys, taking frequent breaks can minimise the chances of symptoms worsening — and also gives you a chance to take in some fresh air. Use this chance to grab a drink or a light bite to eat, too.

Fresh air and good ventilation

Just like any kind of sickness, breathing fresh air will do wonders to help. Open a window to let it circulate around the car, and have the air conditioning on to keep the cabin well-ventilated and well-cooled.

Close your eyes, and take deep breaths

Sometimes, it’s easier to just pretend you’re not travelling. Closing your eyes can shut off the visual cues of motion that can freak your brain out, while focusing on your breathing will distract your mind from everything else.

Distract yourself

Similar to our previous tip of closing your eyes, distracting yourself by other means can help with reducing the symptoms of car sickness. Listening to music, chatting to other people in the car or playing a game like ‘spot the yellow Mini’ could help focus your attention away from your ill feelings.

Think about your food choice

If you’re prone to car sickness, eating a heavy meal or drinking alcohol before getting into the passenger’s seat, or even while there, could heighten your discomfort. Eat and drink well in advance of your journey, and pack light snacks for the trip if you’re in need of something to eat.

Put the book or phone down

While distracting yourself can help with motion sickness, some ‘distractions’ will only serve to make it worse. As mentioned before, fixing on a static object in the car can mess with your senses — and as a result, reading a book or playing on your phone while on the move can only worsen things.

Seek medical assistance

No matter how hard some try, car sickness just won’t go away. In this case, it’s worth speaking to your doctor or a pharmacist, who may prescribe you with appropriate medication to ease the symptoms.

A car battery may be a small piece of the puzzle under the bonnet, but it’s up there with the most crucial components.

Without a properly functioning battery, the car will struggle, or even fail, to start. While they can stay in good health for a long time, they will eventually deteriorate — meaning it’s vital to keep an eye on the unit and knowing when to replace it.

How does a car battery work?

A car battery functions in a pretty similar way to any conventional cell — it’s wired up to provide power to electronic components.

In this case, the electronic component is the starter motor, which gets the car’s engine running. The engine then turns the alternator, which takes the load off the battery by powering most of the vehicle’s internal components — while also recharging the battery itself.

Why do they go flat?

Just like any battery, the one found in your car has a limited energy capacity — which will eventually run out.

If the battery is left to provide power to the car for too long without any energy return from the engine’s alternator, it will eventually go flat. Its ability to hold charge also diminishes over time — meaning it could be time for a new one if it goes flat often.

How can I check my car’s battery?

Unlike say your fuel levels and fluid temperatures, which are easy to see on a car’s instrument cluster, not many machines show a reading of the battery’s condition — so you’ll have to invest in a bit of extra equipment.

A multimeter will be able to tell you the DC voltage of the battery. As a general rule, a car battery should read no lower than 12.6V to be considered in good health — anything lower and it might be time to switch it out.

Which battery should I put in my car?

Batteries vary between cars, so don’t expect a one-rule-for-all here.

The easiest solution would be to head to an online retailer, with many offering tools to find the right battery for your car by simply entering the registration of your car.

Alternatively, you could look for an identical battery to the existing unit by its serial number.

Can I change a car battery myself?

Although we’d always recommend seeking specialist help before undertaking any mechanical task yourself, changing a battery is a fairly simple task.

Park the car on a level surface and secure it with the handbrake first, before opening the bonnet. Once the battery has been located, disconnect the negative terminal first before then unclipping the positive. The battery should then be fairly easy to lift out, ready for a new unit to be placed in.

How should I dispose of an old battery?

By law, car batteries must not be disposed alongside regular household waste.

Fortunately, many recycling centres have dedicated facilities for car batteries. Take the old unit to your nearest centre, where it can be safely and legally disposed.

As far as car parts go, tyres are one of the most important – but also one of the most neglected.

Tyres are the car’s only contact with the road, and as such can make a huge impact on not just the driving experience, but also vehicle safety.

To keep yourself safe on the road, and to also get the best out of your car, it’s important to maintain the rubber on each wheel. Here are our tips for making the most of your tyres.

Cheap isn’t always the best

While it may be tempting to go for those £40 tyres from a brand nobody’s ever heard of, you could be doing more harm to your wallet in the long run.

A good set of tyres may cost more, but you’re likely to get better grip from them — helping to keep you safe. They will usually have a longer life too, saving you more down the line.

If in doubt about which tyres to fit to your car, consult your vehicle owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations.

Keep them well inflated

Underinflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance than those at the correct level, increasing wear on the sidewall. To keep your tyres lasting longer, regularly check pressures and keep them at manufacturer recommendations — which can be found in the owner’s manual, and inside the door sill of many cars.

Watch the tread

Tread is the part of the tyre that contacts the road, and as a result, wears out. Not only is it important to ensure you have a good amount of tread for your own safety, it’s also a legal requirement to have at least 1.6mm of it on all four tyres.

An easy way to tell if your tread is sufficient is to place a 20p coin between the grooves. If any part of the rim of the coin is visible, then it’s time to get a new set of rubber.

Optimise your driving style

Find your right foot often pinned to the floor? Brake heavily? Corner hard? You’re probably doing some harm to your tyres.

A smoother, more consistent driving style puts less stress on rubber and results in less wear — ultimately meaning more time between changes, and less hit on your wallet.

Stay aligned

If your car’s wheels have gone out of alignment, the tyres will see more stress on a smaller contact patch. The result is quicker and uneven wear.
If you notice an uneven level of wear, take your car to a specialist to have alignment checked and corrected if necessary.

Rotation equals elongation

No matter how careful your driving style, new your tyres are or even if they’ve all been fitted at the same time — they’re going to wear unevenly.

This is usually down to where the power is sent. On most cars, the fronts will wear much faster than the rears – in most cases, they’re tasked with delivering power to the road, steering, and most of the braking. To get more life out of your tyres, swap the fronts and rears — most mechanics will do this during a service or MOT anyway, but it’s always worth asking beforehand if you’re not confident of doing the task yourself.

Rotating your tyres is also a necessity on cars with a part-time four-wheel drive system. These systems require all four tyres to be virtually identical for the best performance.

Seasonal rubber

While all-season tyres can offer plenty of grip all year round, splashing out for season-specific tyres can keep prepared for all eventualities.

Although ultimately more expensive, having a set of rubber for both summer and winter can leave you safer on the roads and also see less time between buying new tyres. Summer compounds operate at higher temperatures, offering better grip in hotter weather and lasting longer than harder rubber — which could potentially blister on hot surfaces.

Winter tyres operate at lower temperatures and also tend to have much more tread — ideal for clearing rain, snow and slush in the colder months of the year.

Check the spare tyre

It’s easy to forget about looking after a spare tyre — after all, you’ll ideally never have to use it.

In the event of a tyre failure though, it’s going to come in handy, so you’ll want to ensure its prepared to keep you safe before putting on a replacement tyre. Ensure the rubber hasn’t perished, and that it’s inflated to a good level.

If you’ve ever discussed or looked into cars with any depth, you’ve probably come across the term ‘turbo’.

Many vehicles of the past and present have boasted a turbo — short for turbocharger — under the premise of efficiency and, perhaps more commonly, gains in performance.

Not sure what one is? Let us explain…

What is a turbocharger?

A turbocharger is a turbine-driven device that forces air into an engine’s combustion chamber — increasing power and improving efficiency.

In non-turbocharged engines, more commonly called naturally-aspirated, air is fed into the chamber at atmospheric pressure. While this is a reliable method, it means the engine is less efficient at mixing air with fuel. Turbochargers force extra air into the equation, increasing power and improving efficiency.

How does it work?

A turbocharger is made of two components — a turbine and a compressor. The two are linked, with exhaust gases forced out of the engine at a high pressure and into the turbine. When the turbine spins, so does the compressor — with the latter sucking air into the engine like a vacuum.

What’s the benefit?

The big benefit of a turbocharger is large gains in performance. As more air is dumped in, more power is created — meaning a turbocharger is an efficient way to boost engine output, particularly in the case of smaller capacity units.

As small-capacity turbocharged engines can make as much power as large-capacity naturally-aspirated units, manufacturers can also make cars more efficient yet provide the same performance — which is why many new cars today are turbocharged.

Is there a downside to turbocharging?

While a turbocharger may seem like the answer to every problem, it’s not all rosy.

They can be expensive to fit as an aftermarket item, and they can be unreliable, particularly when used in high-performance applications — with replacement units coming at a significant cost.

Also, although the turbine can spin up pretty quickly, there is still a small delay in feeding the extra air in. As a result, engines that rely heavily on turbocharging for power can see a delay in delivery — commonly known as ‘turbo lag’.

Are there any alternatives?

There is one alternative to turbocharging — supercharging. Superchargers produce a similar effect to turbos, in forcing more air into the engine for increased power, but the way they do it is significantly different.

In most forms, a supercharger is driven by the engine rather than exhaust gasses via a pulley, and then sends air into the engine through a compressor. The advantage is more responsive power delivery compared with a turbo, but as superchargers require power from the engine to drive them, the gains can be less fruitful.

Which cars use turbochargers?

With ever-strict emissions regulations, most modern cars — petrol and diesel — will use turbocharging, improving fuel consumption and lowering CO2 emitted when compared with larger engines.

Turbocharging is commonly used on performance cars for a boost in power as well, with famous boosted monsters including the Porsche 911 Turbo, Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and recent McLaren supercar.

Oil is to an engine like oxygen is to humans — an absolute necessity to keep it going.

An engine consists of several metal moving parts, creating a lot of friction. Oil works to prevent these components from wearing out quickly and failing.

It is, however, a consumable product, and as such requires regular checking and the occasional change to keep your car running smoothly. Not sure how to check engine oil? Here’s how…

Look for the manufacturer guidelines

Before doing anything, get out the owner’s handbook for your vehicle. In there, you’ll find information about oil recommendations for the vehicle and how often the lubricant should be changed. Although it’s vital to regularly check the oil, if you’re approaching an interval then it’s even wiser to have a look as you could risk serious damage to the vehicle if you go above the suggested mileage for a change.

Prepare the car

To get an accurate picture of your car’s engine oil, there are a few steps to take in order to prepare the vehicle before taking a look.

Park on level ground and allow the engine to cool down for at least 10 minutes if it’s warm.

Locate the dipstick

Pop the bonnet and find the dipstick for your car. On most modern vehicles, it’s usually bright yellow and easy to see. You may have been asked to locate it on your driving test, but if you didn’t — or you’ve simply forgotten — the vehicle handbook should be able to help.

Grab the tissue

Once you’ve found the dipstick, pull it out and wipe it with a clean tissue. Use this as an opportunity to locate the oil indicator markings, which are usually either two small holes or raised bumps. Then, place the dipstick back in.

Check the oil level

Once again, remove the dipstick but this time lay it flat on another clear piece of tissue and look where the oil comes up to. If it’s between the indicator markings, then you’re at a good level.

If it comes below, then you need to add more oil — or run the risk of increased engine wear. Too much? The oil will foam up and result in poor lubrication, and ultimately less friction. While you can opt to drain the oil yourself from underneath the car, it’s always best to seek professional help if this is needed.

Jaguar Land Rover has taken a step closer to an autonomous future with a new public display — completing an entirely driverless lap of one of the UK’s trickiest public roads.

The firm sent a Range Rover Sport equipped with self-driving tech around Coventry’s Ring Road, with the goal of taking itself around the route safely.

JLR opted to use the Range Rover Sport for its pre-existing assistance systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control. To give it its fully driverless capabilities, RADAR and LIDAR sensors were also fitted.

It was a success, with the car safely changing lanes, merging with traffic, exiting junctions and sticking to the 40mph speed limit without any input from the driver.

JLR also says the tech allows the car to autonomously navigate roundabouts safely while also making it capable of dealing with pedestrians, cyclists, traffic lights and other vehicles on complicated roads.

Mark Cund, autonomous vehicle research manager for Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The Coventry Ring Road is known for its complicated slip roads and exits. It makes for very challenging conditions, especially when under pressure in the rush hour.

“Our self-driving car is not impacted by the same pressure, frustrations or fatigue that a driver may experience and so it’s capable of turning a potentially very stressful situation into a completely stress-free one.”

The trial was undertaken as part of the government-funded, £20 million UK Autodrive project — an initiative to test autonomous tech in Coventry and Milton Keynes, in an effort to put the UK at the forefront of driverless vehicle development.

A car battery may be a small piece of the puzzle under the bonnet, but it’s up there with the most crucial components.

Without a properly functioning battery, the car will struggle, or even fail, to start. While they can stay in good health for a long time, they will eventually deteriorate — meaning it’s vital to keep an eye on the unit and knowing when to replace it.

How does a car battery work?

A car battery functions in a pretty similar way to any conventional cell — it’s wired up to provide power to electronic components.

In this case, the electronic component is the starter motor, which gets the car’s engine running. The engine then turns the alternator, which takes the load off the battery by powering most of the vehicle’s internal components — while also recharging the battery itself.

Why do they go flat?

Just like any battery, the one found in your car has a limited energy capacity — which will eventually run out.

If the battery is left to provide power to the car for too long without any energy return from the engine’s alternator, it will eventually go flat. Its ability to hold charge also diminishes over time — meaning it could be time for a new one if it goes flat often.

How can I check my car’s battery?

Unlike say your fuel levels and fluid temperatures, which are easy to see on a car’s instrument cluster, not many machines show a reading of the battery’s condition — so you’ll have to invest in a bit of extra equipment.

A multimeter will be able to tell you the DC voltage of the battery. As a general rule, a car battery should read no lower than 12.6V to be considered in good health — anything lower and it might be time to switch it out.

Which battery should I put in my car?

Batteries vary between cars, so don’t expect a one-rule-for-all here.

The easiest solution would be to head to an online retailer, with many offering tools to find the right battery for your car by simply entering the registration of your car.

Alternatively, you could look for an identical battery to the existing unit by its serial number.

Can I change a car battery myself?

Although we’d always recommend seeking specialist help before undertaking any mechanical task yourself, changing a battery is a fairly simple task.

Park the car on a level surface and secure it with the handbrake first, before opening the bonnet. Once the battery has been located, disconnect the negative terminal first before then unclipping the positive. The battery should then be fairly easy to lift out, ready for a new unit to be placed in.

How should I dispose of an old battery?

By law, car batteries must not be disposed alongside regular household waste.

Fortunately, many recycling centres have dedicated facilities for car batteries. Take the old unit to your nearest centre, where it can be safely and legally disposed.