More than 60% of drivers don’t know how to jumpstart a car
Mon, 22 May 2023
Less than 4 out of 10 drivers keep jump leads in the car and know how to use them, according to new research by Green Flag.
That's despite 25% of drivers in the UK having experienced a flat battery in the past 12 months. Green Flag surveyed 2000 drivers who had encountered a flat battery in the previous year, often caused when vehicles are left idle for extended periods.
A third of all rescues attended by Green Flag in 2022 were related to flat batteries.
Among the surveyed drivers, three quarters realised they had a flat battery while parked at home or work. The most common cause, accounting for almost 40% of cases, was an old or worn-out battery. Additionally, one in ten instances were attributed to leaving lights on.
Despite how common a flat battery is, the research shows that most drivers lack the knowledge and tools required to jumpstart their cars. Less than 40% of respondents reported having jump leads in their vehicles and claimed to know how to use them.
The majority of drivers would need to rely on the assistance of others, with a quarter having called a professional mechanic to restart their vehicles.
The study also revealed that drivers are not proactively protect themselves from flat batteries, as 72% admitted to never trickle charging their cars.
Trickle charging involves using a low-voltage charge to prevent batteries from losing charge and can improve the long-term health of batteries, particularly for vehicles left unused for prolonged periods.
"While jump starting is the easiest way to re-start a vehicle with a flat battery, if you’ve never done it before it’s not always straightforward so we’d advise people to properly familiarise themselves with the process or get someone with experience to do it, so that it’s done correctly and safely," says Katie Lomas, Managing Director of Green Flag.
"Drivers should also bear in mind that some manufacturers recommend that their cars aren’t jump started as it can damage the engine management system, so always check your car’s handbook before doing it."
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