For quite a while I've had a slight screech, usually when cold, or, with low tyre pressure, or, on really grippy surfaces like brick paved driveway.
Lately, since the cold weather it's been worse, I have to either do a 20 point turn or just be brutish. When being heavy handed with it the wheel will jump as if the belts slipping in chunks whilst making the horrible noise.
First thought is belt tension - I don't know where to find the damn belt!
2nd is power steering fluid, but, this was topped up at last service and didn't make any difference.
3rdly I guess it could be that the motor or pump is dying.
I had a Eurika moment the other day and wondered if it could be the battery, last time I bought one I think I went for the cheaper alternative at Halfords and I'm thinking maybe it's not providing enough power. My electric windows, especially passenger side, wind up slowly. When parked I tried to wind the windows with the engine running at 2000 rpm or so but still slow so I though maybe not battery as at this point the alternator should be taking care of power? On the way to work today however my girlfriend wound the window up whilst doing 60mph and it shot up compared to usual, maybe this is down to the hot weather but I'm wishfully hoping I need to replace my battery. Also, probably nothing to do with it, but I have bad radio reception these days, I don't think it used to be, probably more likely water is getting in through the aerial but maybe this is connected to low battery power.
Any thoughts on this appreciated. I spent most of my spare time at work the other day researching batteries, here's the best place I found to purchase from and also a place that has a nice guide on batteries (what CCA means, etc [interestingly increased CCA means more surface area required on the battery plates, therefore thinner plates, therefore less battery life]):
Good Prices and range, seem very proffesional and experienced, If I order, will let you know. I think this is the battery I very nearly purchased (even put in all cred card details however as it was evening I thought I'd sleep on it before confirming) Halfords equivalent Bosch is around £100, this I think is better product and price I think:
http://www.griffinbatterycentres.co.uk/cgi-bin/site-editor.pl/12/-ecommerce?action=item;item=EX0003;eid=P17312Battery info:
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.htmlhttp://www.batteryfaq.org As usual I've drivvelled on a bit, thanks for reading if you're still awake!
