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2 Minute Read

Why We Use Ctek Battery Conditioners

Posted by - Tim Earnshaw on 5 May 2020 (Updated 3 December 2020)
Categories: Advice
CTEK battery conditioners

Why do Windrush Car Storage use CTEK battery conditioners and how do they work? 

One of the most important services provided by Windrush Car Storage when caring for clients’ vehicles is ensuring that their batteries remain charged, healthy and ready for use whenever required. In order to do this, Windrush supply every vehicle with a CTEK battery conditioner as part of their all-inclusive car storage service. Unlike many of our competitors, we do this at no extra cost to the client.

Based in Sweden

CTEK are the market leader in high quality battery conditioners.  They have designed and developed a unique range of advanced, durable and compact ‘smart’ units that provide a simple ‘plug and play’ solution for all battery maintenance requirements.  At both of our storage locations, Windrush use CTEK’s MXS 3.8 charger for our clients’ vehicles and we also have an advanced PRO 25S workshop charger if required. 

Once connected

The CTEK battery conditioner will assess the residual power stored in the vehicle’s battery and then charge at variable rates to bring it back to optimum levels. Once the battery is charged, the CTEK units automatically switch to conditioning mode to maintain the battery at optimum levels, offering the perfect solution for both short and long term battery maintenance requirements.

Ideal for charging and maintaining all types of batteries

Including lead-acid batteries (including GEL & AGM) and the new Lithium LiFePO4 batteries, CTEK battery conditioners are supplied as original equipment (OE) by many prestige manufacturers including Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Bentley.  If a client’s vehicle is sent to us for storage with its OE conditioner we will use this, or if the client prefers we will supply our own – again, at no extra cost to the client.  We ensure that all conditioners attached to vehicles in storage with us are checked regularly to maintain the health of the vehicles’ batteries.

Standing the test of time

Having used CTEK chargers for over 16 years, we continue to find them the best offering on the market despite continuous assessment of other options available.

Get in touch

Should you have any further questions about Windrush Car Storage, our ethos or our secure car storage facilities in Central London and the Cotswolds, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Two highly-secure locations

Cotswolds
Car Storage
Located in the Cotswolds our private car storage facility is highly secure, anonymous, climate controlled and full staffed
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London
Car Storage
Located in the heart of Central London with easy access to the Central Line, Hammersmith & City Line and overground services
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Get in touch
Call Cotswolds +44 (0) 1451 821 008
Call London +44 (0) 207 458 4418
winter-driving-advice-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale
5 Minute Read

Winter Driving Advice

Read Article
So you’ve placed your pride and joy in the care of the professionals at Windrush Car Storage. But…
Read Article
So you’ve placed your pride and joy in the care of the professionals at Windrush Car Storage. But what about you’re everyday car? Winter driving can be far more demanding than at other times of the year; darker evenings, wetter weather and too few gritting lorries! Below we have put together a few things to take note of when driving in winter conditions. Even if you are aware of the following, they may still make useful advice to pass onto an inexperienced driver or spouse… Windscreen Dirt and grime builds up quicker during winter, mostly due to leading and passing vehicles. It is especially important to clean the wiper blades. Doing so will eliminate those annoying streaks and smears when using your wipers. For best results wiper blades should be replaced once a year, ideally when the car is serviced. Windscreen washer fluid You would be surprised by the amount of times friends have asked to ‘borrow’ some! In winter make sure that the fluid is of adequate strength to ensure it does not freeze in the pipes. Most branded products will give a mix ratio on the label which may vary depending on expected temperatures. Don’t forget to check the rear wiper reservoir if separate to the front as well! Lights Some modern vehicles have separate headlight washers, which are activated with the front windscreen washer. Another reason to ensure washer fluid is topped up. If your car doesn’t have separate headlight washers, it is a good idea to ask your passenger very nicely to wipe them clean before your journey – or while you pay for fuel. Antifreeze Antifreeze both lowers the freezing point of the water used to cool your engine and raises the boiling point (notice how the gauge can sit close to 100?C and the water doesn’t boil like your kettle?). Check that it is of adequate strength with an appropriate gauge. Antifreeze also has anticorrosive properties so check that the solution is clear – not cloudy. Most respected garages will be able to check for free. Battery If the weather turns chilly the battery is one thing you may only notice when it’s too late. The day you get in your car, turn the key and nothing happens is the day we all dread, and is more common with long term car storage. Preventative maintenance is key!  Batteries will generally last five years of average use but there are things we can do to help them. When you start your car you are putting the most amount of strain on the battery. Think of it like asking a teenager to get out of bed at 8am, tidy their room and help around the house all at once – tricky to say the least. Because of this there are a few things we can do to help. When starting your car make sure that there is nothing else using power as well. Turn off the radio, lights, demisters and the heater, this will allow all the battery’s power to go to only starting the car. When the engine is running you can of course use all of these. Think of it like asking a teenager to do something when they’re actually out of bed. An ice scraper and deicer are handy tools to have in cold weather but are of little use if you can’t get into your car. In some cold conditions door surrounds can freeze to the bodywork making entry rather difficult and potentially damaging. Deicer could be used to help free a frozen door if left on a garden wall or in your coat pocket overnight. Tyres The UK legal minimum tread depth is for ‘a minimum of 1.6mm in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width, throughout the whole of the circumference.’ Winter driving can often mean wet and occasionally snowy or slushy driving conditions. In order that cars maintain grip on the roads in such conditions most premium tyre manufacturers recommended that cars have a minimum of 3mm, especially in winter conditions. How do you check the tread depth? Easy – rummage in that loose change in your car and find a 20 pence piece. Insert the coin between the tread. If you can see the outer edge of the coin; the tread depth is less than 3mm. Handy eh? Tread depth can also affect braking distances. The Highway Code says braking allowances should be doubled in the wet and multiplied by ten (yes x10!) in icy conditions. A tyre with a tread depth of 3mm will stop in 91m from 70mph. The same tyre with a tread depth of only 1.6mm will stop in 135m from 70mph. A staggering 44m difference! Have a look at the spare as well – easier to check it now than on the hard shoulder! When doing so check that you have a jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key as well. A spare wheel in good working order is of little use without the tools to change it! Air conditioning Air conditioning keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter – huge surprise I know! It also dries the air out inside your car.  Ever been driving when its cold, maybe it starts to rain and your windscreen starts to mist over? Leave the air conditioning on and it will help to dry the air far quicker, allowing you to see much easier. Any thoughts of turning it off to save fuel should be expelled! By continually not using it, seals in the system can become ineffective – leading the A/C gas to leak out over time and a funny smell when you do use it. Most of the time we drive we’re not setting a record for the most amount of miles driven on one tank so leave it on and enjoy the benefits. Wash your car regularly Unfortunately winter driving is when most of the dirt and grime can build up on your car. Because of this your car should be washed more regularly in winter. Use a pressure washer in and around wheel arches. Most big petrol stations will have a ‘jet wash’ as well as a drive through car wash. Washing the salt off alloy wheels will also help prevent salt corroding and getting beneath the lacquer. That annoying squeal you might get when you brake can be caused simply by dirt between the brake pad and disc. Washing it off means you won’t get it every time you put your foot on the brake peddle! Safety equipment As seen over the past few years there is often little warning when severe weather can strike. Make sure you have a warning triangle, high visibility vest, some warm clothing and any extra supplies, e.g. a container of screen wash fluid.
budget-vs-luxury-car-storage-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=682&scale
3 Minute Read

Budget vs Luxury car storage – where…

Read Article
Demand for car storage grows stronger by the day, and as such consumers are often faced with a…
Read Article
Demand for car storage grows stronger by the day, and as such consumers are often faced with a few options when looking for a babysitter for their pride and joy. But many wonder just what separates the low end from the high end, and often find a lack of transparency and much small print in their search. To shine light on a few of the differences between budget and luxury car storage, we’ve put together some of the key differentiators below. Environment While this may seem an obvious place to start, it takes a huge amount of expertise, time and expense to create and, more importantly, maintain a controlled storage environment. As such the environments of lower level storage operations are often uncontrolled and susceptible to violent fluctuations in temperature, which can have a lasting impact on your pride and joy. Eradicating the chance of dampness is possible with expert car storage, but removing it once its taken a hold of your car is much harder… Access An area most consumers don’t think to consider initially when searching for storage, but more often an issue that arises once vehicle storage has begun. A high level of accessibility requires sufficient staffing, a well designed space and your car to be kept in on-the-button condition, which a top-level provider can offer. However, budget car storage options often fall short on this and require your car to be kept in storage long term and can even have additional charges for taking your car out of storage. Security A paramount concern for any consumer is security, and rightfully so. The level of investment required to achieve a totally secure facility as opposed to a somewhat secure facility is vast, and moreover creating and maintaining a covert operation takes even more time, money and dedication. There can be no corners cut when security is involved – it either is, or it isn’t! Beyond physical security, a top quality firm will also go to great lengths to ensure that the entire service remains totally confidential and the location, details and custodian of a car remain totally private – a huge attraction for many. Knowledgeable staff Just as important as the facility in which your car is kept is the individuals who look after it. Expertise never comes cheap, and regardless of your car’s value the piece of mind granted by experienced staff is priceless. A truly skilled team can also ensure your car is kept in perfect running order, calling on their own knowledge and a network of approved specialists when required to make sure your car is ready to go when you are – a service simply not available at budget outlets. Membership perks A top quality car storage provider will be by nature a respected, connected and influential voice in the industry, and consumers can benefit from this. A truly exceptional company will offer their clientele benefits beyond superlative storage, such as event access, connections to likeminded individuals and access to knowledge within and outwith their organisation. Be aware though, this level of service is only offered by the very best. Windrush Car Storage are industry leaders in car storage, offering an unrivalled service in the sector. Should you have any questions on our company, our ethos and our storage facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.
  • batteries-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=682&scale
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    Car battery storage

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    Whether you’re considering traditional or electric vehicle storage, batteries are one of the most important components to correctly maintain. Here’s how we do it at Windrush long term car storage.
  • winter-driving-advice-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=683&scale
    5 Minute Read

    Winter Driving Advice

    Read Article
    So you’ve placed your pride and joy in the care of the professionals at Windrush Car Storage. But what about you’re everyday car? Winter driving can be far more demanding than at other times of the year; darker evenings, wetter weather and too few gritting lorries! Below we have put together a few things to take note of when driving in winter conditions. Even if you are aware of the following, they may still make useful advice to pass onto an inexperienced driver or spouse… Windscreen Dirt and grime builds up quicker during winter, mostly due to leading and passing vehicles. It is especially important to clean the wiper blades. Doing so will eliminate those annoying streaks and smears when using your wipers. For best results wiper blades should be replaced once a year, ideally when the car is serviced. Windscreen washer fluid You would be surprised by the amount of times friends have asked to ‘borrow’ some! In winter make sure that the fluid is of adequate strength to ensure it does not freeze in the pipes. Most branded products will give a mix ratio on the label which may vary depending on expected temperatures. Don’t forget to check the rear wiper reservoir if separate to the front as well! Lights Some modern vehicles have separate headlight washers, which are activated with the front windscreen washer. Another reason to ensure washer fluid is topped up. If your car doesn’t have separate headlight washers, it is a good idea to ask your passenger very nicely to wipe them clean before your journey – or while you pay for fuel. Antifreeze Antifreeze both lowers the freezing point of the water used to cool your engine and raises the boiling point (notice how the gauge can sit close to 100?C and the water doesn’t boil like your kettle?). Check that it is of adequate strength with an appropriate gauge. Antifreeze also has anticorrosive properties so check that the solution is clear – not cloudy. Most respected garages will be able to check for free. Battery If the weather turns chilly the battery is one thing you may only notice when it’s too late. The day you get in your car, turn the key and nothing happens is the day we all dread, and is more common with long term car storage. Preventative maintenance is key!  Batteries will generally last five years of average use but there are things we can do to help them. When you start your car you are putting the most amount of strain on the battery. Think of it like asking a teenager to get out of bed at 8am, tidy their room and help around the house all at once – tricky to say the least. Because of this there are a few things we can do to help. When starting your car make sure that there is nothing else using power as well. Turn off the radio, lights, demisters and the heater, this will allow all the battery’s power to go to only starting the car. When the engine is running you can of course use all of these. Think of it like asking a teenager to do something when they’re actually out of bed. An ice scraper and deicer are handy tools to have in cold weather but are of little use if you can’t get into your car. In some cold conditions door surrounds can freeze to the bodywork making entry rather difficult and potentially damaging. Deicer could be used to help free a frozen door if left on a garden wall or in your coat pocket overnight. Tyres The UK legal minimum tread depth is for ‘a minimum of 1.6mm in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width, throughout the whole of the circumference.’ Winter driving can often mean wet and occasionally snowy or slushy driving conditions. In order that cars maintain grip on the roads in such conditions most premium tyre manufacturers recommended that cars have a minimum of 3mm, especially in winter conditions. How do you check the tread depth? Easy – rummage in that loose change in your car and find a 20 pence piece. Insert the coin between the tread. If you can see the outer edge of the coin; the tread depth is less than 3mm. Handy eh? Tread depth can also affect braking distances. The Highway Code says braking allowances should be doubled in the wet and multiplied by ten (yes x10!) in icy conditions. A tyre with a tread depth of 3mm will stop in 91m from 70mph. The same tyre with a tread depth of only 1.6mm will stop in 135m from 70mph. A staggering 44m difference! Have a look at the spare as well – easier to check it now than on the hard shoulder! When doing so check that you have a jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key as well. A spare wheel in good working order is of little use without the tools to change it! Air conditioning Air conditioning keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter – huge surprise I know! It also dries the air out inside your car.  Ever been driving when its cold, maybe it starts to rain and your windscreen starts to mist over? Leave the air conditioning on and it will help to dry the air far quicker, allowing you to see much easier. Any thoughts of turning it off to save fuel should be expelled! By continually not using it, seals in the system can become ineffective – leading the A/C gas to leak out over time and a funny smell when you do use it. Most of the time we drive we’re not setting a record for the most amount of miles driven on one tank so leave it on and enjoy the benefits. Wash your car regularly Unfortunately winter driving is when most of the dirt and grime can build up on your car. Because of this your car should be washed more regularly in winter. Use a pressure washer in and around wheel arches. Most big petrol stations will have a ‘jet wash’ as well as a drive through car wash. Washing the salt off alloy wheels will also help prevent salt corroding and getting beneath the lacquer. That annoying squeal you might get when you brake can be caused simply by dirt between the brake pad and disc. Washing it off means you won’t get it every time you put your foot on the brake peddle! Safety equipment As seen over the past few years there is often little warning when severe weather can strike. Make sure you have a warning triangle, high visibility vest, some warm clothing and any extra supplies, e.g. a container of screen wash fluid.
  • budget-vs-luxury-car-storage-main-original-1.jpg?w=1024&h=682&scale
    3 Minute Read

    Budget vs Luxury car storage – where does your money go?

    Read Article
    Demand for car storage grows stronger by the day, and as such consumers are often faced with a few options when looking for a babysitter for their pride and joy. But many wonder just what separates the low end from the high end, and often find a lack of transparency and much small print in their search. To shine light on a few of the differences between budget and luxury car storage, we’ve put together some of the key differentiators below. Environment While this may seem an obvious place to start, it takes a huge amount of expertise, time and expense to create and, more importantly, maintain a controlled storage environment. As such the environments of lower level storage operations are often uncontrolled and susceptible to violent fluctuations in temperature, which can have a lasting impact on your pride and joy. Eradicating the chance of dampness is possible with expert car storage, but removing it once its taken a hold of your car is much harder… Access An area most consumers don’t think to consider initially when searching for storage, but more often an issue that arises once vehicle storage has begun. A high level of accessibility requires sufficient staffing, a well designed space and your car to be kept in on-the-button condition, which a top-level provider can offer. However, budget car storage options often fall short on this and require your car to be kept in storage long term and can even have additional charges for taking your car out of storage. Security A paramount concern for any consumer is security, and rightfully so. The level of investment required to achieve a totally secure facility as opposed to a somewhat secure facility is vast, and moreover creating and maintaining a covert operation takes even more time, money and dedication. There can be no corners cut when security is involved – it either is, or it isn’t! Beyond physical security, a top quality firm will also go to great lengths to ensure that the entire service remains totally confidential and the location, details and custodian of a car remain totally private – a huge attraction for many. Knowledgeable staff Just as important as the facility in which your car is kept is the individuals who look after it. Expertise never comes cheap, and regardless of your car’s value the piece of mind granted by experienced staff is priceless. A truly skilled team can also ensure your car is kept in perfect running order, calling on their own knowledge and a network of approved specialists when required to make sure your car is ready to go when you are – a service simply not available at budget outlets. Membership perks A top quality car storage provider will be by nature a respected, connected and influential voice in the industry, and consumers can benefit from this. A truly exceptional company will offer their clientele benefits beyond superlative storage, such as event access, connections to likeminded individuals and access to knowledge within and outwith their organisation. Be aware though, this level of service is only offered by the very best. Windrush Car Storage are industry leaders in car storage, offering an unrivalled service in the sector. Should you have any questions on our company, our ethos and our storage facilities, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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