As Irish drivers find themselves able to travel a little further than 5km in the coming weeks, many cars might be returning to the road after another spell off the road. Lighting, equipment and accessory supplier Ring Automotive has offered some practical tips for keeping in good shape post lockdown.

Henry Bisson, marketing manager at Ring Automotive says battery failure is the number one reason for a call out from breakdown services across Europe. With so much technology integrated into the design of newer vehicles, even when cars are parked, constant consumption from the likes of central locking and navigation systems are increasing the energy demands, placing additional strain on batteries. Frequent short journeys will also flatten a battery faster than normal and of course colder temperatures add to the threat.

Henry says the best way to ensure a car makes it through a lay-off, or significantly reduced usage, is to keep it topped up by using a Ring Smart Battery Charger. He believes this is the most effective method of preventing the energy-sapping functions from draining a battery. He also points out that a smartcharger will not only add charge to a battery, but due to the float mode, it can be left safely connected on a permanent basis, compared to traditional trickle chargers.

For emergencies on the move, Henry recommends Ring lithium jumpstarters, which offer a convenient lightweight solution, removing the need for road-side assistance or to jumpstart from a second car. As they are rechargeable, once used they can be reused for another time. Ring’s Lithium jumpstarters also act as mobile powerbanks for keeping mobile phones and other electrical devices charged.

Tyres can also be a problem when a car is not used regularly. Running on tyres with reduced tyre pressure will increase fuel consumption and wear and tear, resulting in a significant rise in overall motoring costs. If left for a long period with air pressure continually leaking out, this can lead to flat spots. Henry suggests that motorists invest in a compact tyre inflator. Ring’s industry leading RTC range of tyre inflators allows motorists to quickly and accurately inflate their tyres to the correct pressure, without leaving home.

Lastly, Henry says for added piece of mind it is useful for motorist to keep a spare bulb kit in their car. This not only helps to keep cars safe and legal but also means motorists don’t have to search for replacement bulbs when a vehicle bulb fails.