Student Cars and Flat Batteries in Armidale

This guide is for students at the University of New England and in Armidale's schools and TAFE, and for the parents who hand over the family's old car. It covers why student cars so often have flat batteries, how to get going again safely, what to check before the long drive home, and how to avoid paying for the same problem twice.

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Why student cars go flat

The University of New England's main campus is about 5 km north-west of Armidale's city centre, and students live on campus in the residential colleges, in share houses around town and in flats near the centre. A car in that situation tends to do one of two things: very short trips around town, or nothing at all for days at a time, followed by a drive of close to 500 km to Sydney or Brisbane at the end of term.

Neither is kind to a battery. Short trips don't give the alternator time to replace the energy used to start the engine. A car that sits still slowly loses charge, and many cars also have alarms, clocks and computers that draw a little power when parked. Leave it long enough and there's not enough left to start the car. Many student cars are also older vehicles with batteries that are past their best, so they have less in reserve.

The usual suspects

When a student's car won't start, the cause is usually one of these:

• Headlights, parking lights or an interior light left on overnight.
• A door, boot or glovebox not fully shut, keeping a light or module awake.
• A dashcam, phone charger or other accessory left plugged in and drawing power.
• A battery that's simply old and can no longer hold enough charge.
• Weeks of short trips that never fully recharged the battery.
• A charging system fault, such as a worn alternator or a slipping belt.

Jump-starting safely

A friend's car and a set of leads will get most flat cars going, but it's worth doing properly. Connecting leads the wrong way round can damage electronics on both cars, and car batteries can give off flammable gas. Check both owner's manuals first, because many modern cars have dedicated jump-start points under the bonnet rather than direct access to the battery.

Follow the correct connection order, keep the leads clear of fans and belts, and don't lean over the battery. Our guide on how to jump start a car safely walks you through each step. A compact lithium jump starter is a handy thing to keep in the boot, because you don't need a second car or someone else's help.

Once the car starts, drive it for a decent stretch, not just around the block. If it goes flat again within a day or two, something is wrong and needs checking.

Flat again? Find out why

A car that keeps going flat is telling you something. It may be a battery at the end of its life, an alternator that isn't charging properly, or something drawing power when the car is off. Guessing can get expensive, especially if you buy a new battery when the real problem is the alternator, or the other way round.

A battery and charging system test takes only a few minutes for an auto electrician, and many will do it as part of a mobile call-out. You can also do a basic check yourself with a cheap multimeter. Our guides on why your car battery keeps going flat and how to test a car battery show you how.

Leaving the car parked over the break

If you're catching the train or flying home and leaving your car in Armidale, a little planning saves a flat battery when you get back. Armidale has a station on the Main North line with daily trains to Sydney, and the airport has regular flights, so plenty of students leave their cars behind.

Before you go:

• Make sure every light is off and every door, boot and the glovebox is properly shut.
• Unplug dashcams, chargers and other accessories.
• If you're away for several weeks and know how, disconnecting the negative battery terminal stops most drains. Check your owner's manual first, as some cars lose radio codes or settings.
• If the car is parked where there's power and the owner agrees, a smart battery maintainer keeps the battery charged safely.

Before the long drive home

The trip from Armidale to Sydney or Brisbane takes most of a day, with long stretches of highway between towns. It's not a trip to start with a car that's been struggling to start. A week before you go, check:

• That the car starts easily, without slow cranking.
• That the battery warning light goes out as soon as the engine starts and stays out.
• That the headlights, high beam, brake lights and indicators all work. Fast-flashing indicators usually mean a globe is out.
• That the battery terminals are clean and tight, with no white or green crust.
• That the alternator belt isn't cracked, glazed or squealing.

Buying a cheap car in Armidale

If you're buying a used car while you're studying, spend a few minutes on the electrics before you hand over money. Start it from cold if you can, and listen to how it cranks. Check every light, the windows, the wipers and the heater fan on all speeds. Look at the battery's date if it has one, and check the terminals for corrosion. A warning light on the dash is worth understanding before you buy. Our guide on what to do when a dashboard warning light comes on explains the common ones.

If you're not confident, a pre-purchase inspection costs far less than a car that needs an alternator in its first month.

Getting help

Plenty of auto electricians around Armidale do mobile work, including battery testing and replacement at colleges, share houses and workplaces. Our Armidale page lists local help and explains the jobs that are common in town.

Parts for this job

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Questions Armidale drivers ask

How long can I leave my car parked in Armidale over the break?

It depends on the car and the battery. A healthy battery in an older car with few electronics may cope with several weeks. A newer car with alarms and computers, or an older battery, may struggle after a week or two. A battery maintainer or disconnecting the negative terminal are the safest options for long breaks.

Should I replace my battery or my alternator?

Test before you buy either. If the battery holds a good charge but goes flat while driving, or the battery warning light comes on, the alternator or belt is a likely suspect. If the battery fails a load test, it needs replacing. An auto electrician can test both in a few minutes, which avoids paying for the wrong part.

Is it safe to use a lithium jump starter on my car?

Yes, if it's sized for your engine and you follow the instructions. Connect the clamps the right way round, use the car's jump points if it has them, and keep the starter charged so it works when you need it. Most have reverse polarity protection, but check before relying on it.

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