Car emergency kit for winter

Motoring in winter brings its own challenges, with bad weather and tricky road conditions meaning it is the most important season in the year to be prepared before you hit the road. You can hope for the best, but it is better to be prepared for the worst. So as winter bites, prepare an emergency kit to always have with you in your car.  

03 December 2025

How long does a car battery last (and how to make it last longer)

The typical lifespan of a car battery is between three and five years. However, this can vary considerably depending on the quality of the battery, driving habits, the climate the car lives in, how often the vehicle is used and – importantly – how and when the battery is charged.

19 November 2025

Prepare to be amazed at the LA Auto Show’s hall of fame

There is something very special about the cars in the Showcase Hall at the Los Angeles Auto Show. We’re talking jaw-dropping one-offs, from famous hot rods to exotic hypercars. And that’s why CTEK will be there, with our friends from Matranga Hot Rods who are showcasing three exceptional builds – a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air called Brute Force, a 1971 Cuda and a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500.

18 November 2025

How to connect a car battery charger

A flat or weakened battery is one of the most common reasons for motoring misery, but with a high-quality charger such as those from CTEK you can keep your battery optimally charged and extend its life significantly. This guide will walk you through the correct procedure for connecting and using a car battery charger, giving you the power to maintain your vehicle with confidence.

10 October 2025

Charging a car battery: why it’s important and how to do it

A car battery is more than a mere electrical component – it is the beating heart of your vehicle’s electrical system, essential for starting the engine and powering onboard electronics.

03 October 2025

When to Change the Motorcycle Battery vs When to Charge?

As a keen motorcyclist, you’ll almost certainly understand the benefits of keeping your bike’s battery in prime condition. You’ll know that regular charging of your motorcycle’s battery will help you get the best performance from your motorcycle, for longer. So, what should you do when you notice your bike isn’t quite performing how it should? Perhaps your motorcycle isn’t firing up as easily as before, or maybe your lights seem dimmer?

24 March 2025

Lithium Motorcycle Battery Charger - How it can maximise your battery performance!

As a biker with a Lithium-ion (12V LiFePO4) battery powered motorcycle, you’ll already understand some of the significant advantages a lithium battery can offer – lighter weight for improved handling, greater efficiency with faster charging and a longer lifespan than many traditional lead-acid counterparts. In fact, lithium batteries offer up to 2,000 charge cycles compared to 300-500 charge cycles from a lead-acid battery, and weigh up to 60% less - so it’s easy to see why the use of Lithium batteries are on the rise in all motor vehicles.

19 March 2025

How to prepare for a motorcycle road trip

Spring is just around the corner, and with it, the promise of longer days, milder temperatures and the thrill of getting out on the open road. Whether you’re new to motorcycling or a seasoned biker, it’s always good to plan ahead and properly prepare your motorcycle for each trip, avoiding any last-minute frustrations or disappointments, especially if your bike’s been out of action throughout the colder months.

05 March 2025

5 Essential Winter Battery Care Tips to Avoid Being Stranded

As the cold weather sets in, many drivers may not realize that frigid temperatures can have a significant impact on their car batteries. Cold weather can lead to decreased battery performance, making it crucial to take steps to ensure your battery remains in optimal condition. Here are five essential tips from CTEK to help you care for your car battery during winter, keeping you from being stranded in the cold.

23 January 2025

How Swedes neglect car maintenance

7 out of 10 Swedes hardly ever check the battery, while half forget to check the radiator fluid and 38 per cent rarely or never check whether the car's lights are working. ‘As we move towards darker and colder times, it is very important from a safety point of view to keep track of all the key functions of the car to reduce the risk of accidents or immobilisation,’ says Henrik Fagrenius, CEO of CTEK.

09 December 2024

Don’t Get Stranded on Your Way Home for Christmas

The holiday season is a magical time when families come together to celebrate, and for many, that means hitting the road to travel home for Christmas. But nothing can dampen the festive spirit like a dead car battery, leaving you stranded in the cold when you should be on your way to enjoy the celebrations. This year, don’t let an unexpected battery failure spoil your holiday plans. With CTEK’s CS FREE, you can keep your car charged and ready, ensuring a smooth journey home.

05 December 2024

Why charging your car battery is just as important as changing to winter tires

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, many car owners are quick to schedule their tire change to swap to winter tires, ensuring safety and grip on icy roads. But while most people focus on the essential task of changing their tires, there's another critical part of vehicle preparation that often goes overlooked—charging your car battery.

12 November 2024

Winterizing a car: Charging is Critical

As winter approaches, many vehicle owners face the important task of preparing their cars for the cold months ahead. Winterizing your car is essential for ensuring it stays in optimal condition while it's stored or used in freezing temperatures. While many focus on engine fluids and tire pressure, one of the most critical but often overlooked aspects is the battery. Ensuring your battery is properly charged and maintained can make all the difference in how well your car survives winter storage and how quickly it will be ready to use again in the spring.

04 November 2024

Don’t buy a new car battery – Charge with CTEK Instead

When your car battery starts showing signs of weakness—like dim headlights, slow engine starts, or even a complete failure—it’s easy to assume the battery needs replacing. However, before rushing to buy a new one, consider an often-overlooked solution: charging your battery. Investing in a quality charger can not only save you money but also extend the life of your current battery, avoiding unnecessary replacements.

16 October 2024

Decoding the time equation: How long does it take to charge a 12V car battery?

Charging a 12V car battery might seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and tools, it becomes a breeze. At CTEK, we're committed to making battery charging as straightforward and efficient as possible. Let’s dive into the factors that affect charging time and introduce you to a revolutionary charger that simplifies the entire process.

24 September 2024

Get Ready for the School Start with CS FREE: Your Ultimate Battery Solution

As the new school year approaches, parents are busy preparing for the morning rush. From packing lunches to ensuring the kids have their essentials, every second counts. But nothing throws off your morning routine like a dead car battery. Fortunately, CTEK’s CS FREE is here to save the day, making sure you're never stranded and always prepared.

14 August 2024

Optimising Workshop Efficiency with Battery Support Units

In the dynamic landscape of modern automotive workshops, Battery Support Units (BSUs) have emerged as indispensable tools, especially during software updates and Electronic Control Unit (ECU) reprogramming. These critical operations necessitate stability in battery voltage to ensure seamless data transfer, making the role of BSUs crucial in maintaining optimal performance and safeguarding against potential pitfalls.

30 July 2024

Holiday trend: Coolcation. These holiday destinations will cool you down

The summer holidays are just around the corner: in the past, this meant "off to the south and after the sun". But record heatwaves have been dampening the desire for hot temperatures for some years now. Instead, so-called "coolcations" are the order of the day: holidays in cooler, more temperate climes. We present four destinations.

25 June 2024

How to charge batteries at sea

An important part of preparing for the boating season is the power supply and CTEK have produced useful advice on maintaining your boat's batteries. With more and more devices requiring power on board, well-maintained and charged batteries are essential for travelling and staying safe at sea.

18 June 2024

CTEK's Long-Standing Partnership with Karlfeldtsgymnasiet: Insights from Jacob Göthberg

In an insightful interview, Jacob Göthberg, Industrial Design Engineer and Team Leader at CTEK, shares the journey and impact of CTEK’s decade-long collaboration with Karlfeldtsgymnasiet’s technical branch. Here, Göthberg provides a detailed look into the program’s beginnings, its evolution, and the benefits it brings to students and the industry alike.

13 June 2024

What should you do when you leave your motorcycle parked?

Whether you are parking your bike for a moment or planning to leave it in your garage during the winter, it’s important to remember some essential considerations. These practices are crucial for an enjoyable riding experience and to preserve your bike’s mechanical integrity and battery health. So, what should you do when you leave your motorcycle parked? Let’s dive into this article to see some suggestions.

07 May 2024

What battery charger is recommended for motorcycle?

If you are looking for what battery charger is recommended for motorcycle, CTEK is the way to go. We have been designing and manufacturing the most technologically advanced, easy-to-use chargers for 27 years, and our technology has been awarded multiple times by recognised entities in the automotive industry. It’s just a matter of choosing the right charger to suit your bike’s battery and your charging needs.

22 April 2024

How to jumpstart a car – the safe way

How to jumpstart a car | Facing a dead car battery can be a frustrating experience, especially when you're in a hurry or far from help. Jumpstarting a car is a common solution, but traditional methods involving jump cables pose risks to your vehicle's electronics and battery. Enter the CTEK CS FREE Adaptive Booster, a revolutionary device that not only powers up your flat battery swiftly and safely but also acts as a portable battery charger, ensuring your vehicle batteries remain in peak condition wherever you go. In this article we’ll learn how to adaptive boost a car the safe way.

21 March 2024

How To Charge A Car Battery

The 12V battery in an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car plays a crucial role in powering various electrical components, such as lights, radio, and the vehicle's computer system. Charging a 12V battery in an ICE car is a straightforward process that can be accomplished with a compatible battery charger. Regularly maintaining your vehicle's battery can extend its lifespan and help prevent unexpected starting issues. So, how do you charge a car battery? In this guide, we will discuss the steps to charge a 12V battery in an ICE car effectively.

04 March 2024

The Cold Reality: How Frigid Temperatures Impact Car Batteries

As we are in the middle of the winter, car owners brace themselves for the challenges posed by cold weather conditions. Among the critical components affected, the car battery takes centre stage. In this technical article, we will delve into the science behind how cold weather affects car batteries. Understanding these effects can help car owners take proactive measures to preserve battery health and ensure reliable vehicle performance during harsh winter months.

23 January 2024

Prepare your car for winter with a simple yet crucial step —charge your battery!

In Sweden, all car owners must transition to winter tires by December 1st. What many overlook is the impact of cold weather on the car battery. The colder it gets, the more crucial maintenance charging becomes, especially for vehicles covering shorter distances. While the switch to winter tires is routine for most, it's time to include another seasonal activity — basic battery maintenance. Car owners can ensure trouble-free journeys and a longer-lasting vehicle by taking a few simple steps.

09 November 2023

How to charge a mild hybrid

Mild hybrids are vehicles equipped with both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a small electric generator / motor, which assists the engine during starting, cruising or hard acceleration. The 48V battery which powers the hybrid system is recharged using the vehicles kinetic energy through regenerative braking. The generator captures the energy during coasting and braking to be stored and used for restarting the engine and acceleration. Even though the electrical system is recharged by generative breaking, you still need to charge the 12V battery. You need the 12V system for almost all of the functions in your car such as air conditioning, lights, opening of the doors, the radio, windows etc.

18 April 2023

Find my car battery – A CTEK guide

You are probably visiting this page because you don’t know what battery type (or chemistry) you have in your vehicle. You are not alone! We are often asked how to find this out, and as we told you when we returned the results on our charger selector tool, if you know what battery type you have, our charger selector tool can help you identify a product that exactly matches your vehicle, battery type and budget.

18 July 2023

How to be environmentally conscious with a petrol or diesel car

CTEK’s top tips for reducing your carbon emissions, if you’re driving a petrol or diesel car.

25 January 2023

Tips to prep your motorcycle for safe road trips

With longer days and sunny weather, the open road beckons to two-wheel owners. Preparing a motorcycle after it's been in storage involves several key steps to ensure it's ready for the road after the winter months. CTEK, the global leader in vehicle charging solutions, provides recommendations for riders to prep their vehicles for peak performance and peace of mind on the open road.

Five Signs of a Dead or Dying Battery

We've all been there: you go to leave the house or end your workday and your car won't start. Most drivers don't notice the warning signs until they get the dreaded click click click of a dead battery. Fortunately, there are some signs you can look for to give you a heads up that your battery is on its last legs.

25 February 2021

The MXS 5.0 8-Step-Charging-Process: The Perfect Way to Care for Your Car

As Car Care Month continues, it is a great time to learn more about the CTEK MXS 5.0. This charger has the capability to keep your car running and keep you on the go at all times. The key to its success is the 8 step charging process that this charger follows. Simply connect the clamps on the MXS 5.0 to the battery, plug it in at the mains, and you are ready to start the 8 steps. This charger also has convenient indicator lights that inform you if you have connected improperly. So let’s take a look at the process and how easy it is to keep your car charged.

25 January 2021