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62% of drivers are 'i-sapping' by using their vehicle to charge electronic devices
Electronics found to put added strain on car batteries
36% of drivers use their car to charge their mobile phone
Research revealed today by Kwik Fit, the UK's largest automotive repair company, highlights the extent of 'i-sapping' caused by charging devices using the car battery. Three in five (62 per cent) UK drivers are charging devices from their vehicle, with satellite navigation, smart phones and tablets all featuring in the top five most energy sapping devices.
Kwik Fit warns that as temperatures remain low battery issues will continue to be a common cause for break downs and starting issues through to the end of winter. Using a vehicle to charge devices drains power from the battery and leaves vehicles short on the additional power needed to get started during the colder months.
This is exacerbated by the findings that over half (52%) of UK drivers do not get their car batteries checked during winter and more than one in three UK drivers (36%) incorrectly believes that their battery's health is checked during their car's MOT. This misconception means millions of drivers are ill prepared for winter every year as MOTs do not cover the full operation of batteries.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit said: "Many motorists don't realise the effect devices plugged into their cars can have on a battery. Satnavs, tablets and other gadgets that are designed to make our lives more comfortable can actually have the opposite effect, by cutting short the life of even a new battery and leaving us stuck with a car that won't start."
Number of drivers using car to charge the following devices:
Electronic Device
Percentage Who Charge Using Car
1. Satellite Navigation
38%
2. Smartphone e.g. iPhone
36%
Mobile phone (excluding smart phones)
15%
iPod of other music device
10%
Tablet device e.g. iPad
7%
Source: Kwik Fit
Griggs continued: "It's important to remember that during the cold winter months, batteries have to work harder and plugging in additional devices can add to the struggle.
"At Kwik Fit, we often see an increase in vehicles coming in with battery issues when the temperatures drop, normally to the surprise of the customer.
"What's more one in five car batteries are over five years old, a usual turning point in a battery's life where serious issues begin to show themselves. Motorists who have an older battery or just feel their battery is lacking the 'oomph' to get them through the final leg of winter can come in and receive a free health check at any of the 670 Kwik Fit centres across the country."
- Ends -
Notes to Editor:
Research carried out by ICM Research amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,003 adults. About Kwik Fit
Established in 1971, the Kwik Fit Group is one of the largest independent automotive parts, repair and replacement specialists in the world. Kwik Fit has over 600 service centres across the UK and more than 200 mobile tyre fitting vehicles, making it the UK's leading tyre, exhaust, brake and MoT specialist.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
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We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
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