COMPETITION: A Breakfast Run without a ride

For a biker, there's nothing better than you, your bike and the open road with your bike mates but what if your planned breakfast run that you and your mates have been planning for weeks starts with a disaster when you motorbike doesn't start? Imagine getting all your gear on, the sun is shining and you hop on your bike but but you hear the mood-killing 'click'. After muttering a range of expletives, you wonder, could it be the battery?

You remember this could have been avoided if you'd looked out for these telltale symptoms as explained by the battery specialists which include:

Trouble starting your motorcycle

Like any vehicle, a motorcycle requires electrical power to get going, and without a fully functioning battery, your motorcycle will struggle to start. 

Trouble when idling your motorcycle

In addition to the battery providing a spark to get going, ti also keeps your motorcycle running at idle. If you have to keep the throttle open to keep the motorcycle running, it's time to get that battery checked and replaced. 

Take your motorcycle to a trusted battery specialist. Should your motorcycle battery need replacing, follow these tips when choosing a battery. 

1. Check for a warranty, while battery wear and tear may be an important factor to consider, sometimes a battery will have a factory fault, which is when a warranty is essential. Battery Centre are one of the few specialists that offer 24-36 month warranty's that are valid around the country.
2. Make a conscious switch to lithium-ion, with many auto manufacturers switching to low-emission engines to protect the environment, why shouldn't you? Lithium-ion batteries are longer lasting and require less maintenance.
3. Check the power ratings, power ratings indicate the battery's strength. The higher the power rating, the better it works in your motorcycle. They may cost a little more but in the long-term they have many more benefits. Again get a specialist's advice. 

Don't miss out on feeling the wind in your hair on the next breakfast run with the crew, drop the battery specialists for a free battery and alternator check. 

We've teamed up with the battery specialists at Battery Centre to give you! Our loyal readers the chance to win a voucher to Battery Centre worth up to R2500! For more information check our Facebook and Instagram page

COMPETITION: Battery Centre: Future of motoring

The future of motoring is silent and less harmful on the planet with the introduction of fully-electric cars. The transition happened as vehicle manufacturers were required to cut down emissions and reduce their carbon footprint. It started with the introduction of Hybrid cars, which made use of the traditional fuel powered engine along with a battery-powered motor for shorter distances. The Hybrid car served as a springboard for manufacturers to explore the idea of a fully electric cars that no longer rely on fuel, and through technology they have achieved zero-emission status. 

Solutions by Tesla, BMW and Nissan have welcomed fully electric vehicles by adopting pouch lithium-ion batteries - a single car containing multiple battery packs that power the car for a particular range. However, charging these cars relies on grid power, which would come from a standard wall socket. We see you Eskom. Cars such as the Nissan Leaf are equipped with a battery pack that allows the driver to travel up to 363km in a full charge. While the range is substantially less than a car that uses fuel, it is primarily a city car and should be used as such. Cars such as the BMW i8 or the Tesla Model S can travel up to 1000km. Based on the range extension for larger electric vehicles, more and more drivers are making the conscious decision to switch to electric vehicles. 

The result is a need for the infrastructure that accommodate electric cars. As the technology progresses and becomes more and more popular, we see more filling stations and shopping centres placing charging stations on their property. This is only on part of the infrastructure required. The larger picture requires battery specialists that are able to assess, repair and service these batteries going forward. Ryan Annandale of Battery Centre says the largest battery specialist network in South Africa is geared and ready for the future of motoring. This upward shift is what positions Battery Centre as leaders in electric vehicle battery servicing in South Africa. 

Give Away time! We're giving away two vouchers valued up to R2500 each to two lucky readers! All you have to do is answer in the comments section, who are South Africa's largest Battery fitment centre?

Winners will be announced next Friday, 11th October on our Facebook page. 

Battery Centre - GIVEAWAY

We tend to talk a lot about cars on the blog, so its only fitting we give away something car related to you, our loyal readers. Battery Centre are a house hold name in South Africa and generally the number place one goes to, to replace their car battery, stocking not only the best products but provide quick efficient service. They've given us a voucher for a replacement battery valued up to R2500 to give away, and entering is simple and will be explained later on in the post. They've given five tips to extend the life of your battery. 

Good quality car batteries have an impressive lifespan of up to five years, but most batteries fail within two to three years. The exact life expectancy of your battery depends on a host of variables, including your driving habits and the amount of love and attention you give it. Regular maintenance is at the heard of a healthy battery. Battery Centre recommends getting a free battery check twice a year so that you never get stuck with a flat battery. However, car batteries are often treated with out of sight, out of mind indifference, and as a result, many batteries have be to replaced much too soon. Fortunately there are some things you can do to prolong the life of your battery. 

1. Keep it Clean, dirt and grim can create a short circuit and cause your battery to discharge. Keep the battery terminals clean, dry and free of corrosion by scrubbing them with a solution of water and baking soda. Use a spray bottle to rinse the mixture off and dry the terminals thoroughly with a clean cloth. You can also get your battery cleaned for free by the specialist at a Battery Centre near you. 
2. Keep it Cool, extreme heat can evaporate the water in your battery and cause considerable battery damage, often leading to battery failure in winter. Keep your car out of the sweltering heat by parking it in a garage or shaded spot as often as possible. You can also consider getting a valve-regulated Raylite battery that is less susceptible to extreme temperatures. 
3. Keep it Steady, Excessive vibration can cause short circuits and internal battery damage. Make sure all your battery clamps and brackets are securely fastened or have it expertly fitting by the battery specialist. If you frequently drive on uneven terrain, you many want to opt for a vibration-resistant Raylite battery, exclusively available at Battery Centre nationwide.
4. Go for long drives more often, your battery loses power every time you start your car. After that, the alternator takes over and recharges the battery while you drive. If you only make short trips throughout the day, your battery power won't have sufficient time to recharge fully and will continue to lose power. You can help maintain your battery power by going for longer drives of at least 20 minutes more frequently. 
5. Use it or lose it, a near fully charged battery is essential to prevent battery damage over time. If your car won't be in use for a long time, ask a friend or family member to drive your car. You can also consider disconnecting the negative terminal to reduce drainage or invest in a car battery charger to keep your battery powered up. 

A little extra care goes a long way in extending the life of your battery. But if DIY maintenance is too much of a hassle, a maintenance-free Raylite battery may be the perfect solution. Visit any Battery Centre for a free battery test and expert advice on all things batteries.

Competition time! As mentioned earlier, Battery Centre have given us a voucher with the value of up to R2500 to give away to one lucky reader. All you have to do to enter follow the Bucket's instagram page and comment on this post with "I want to win with the Bucket and Battery Centre"