Drivers warned to avoid battery mistake that 'destroys your car' as weather cools down - $7 device can save you headache | The US Sun

DRIVERS have been warned over making a mistake with their car's battery that can ruin their vehicle - especially as the cooler weather begins to hit.

Thankfully, an affordable device can go a long way to help avoid a tricky situation.

As the temperature outside begins to drop, so too does your vehicle's battery power.

In cold weather, gasoline and diesel engines will require more battery power to start, and it may even be a good idea to get your car's battery checked and possibly replaced before winter really begins to set in.

However, expert mechanic Scotty Kilmer, who has been working on cars for over 50 years, has revealed to viewers of his famous YouTube channel how cutting the power to your car can play havoc with its computer system.

Switching your car's battery can destroy its data storage, which includes information such as your previous sat nav destinations, favorite radio stations and even your preferred seating position.

It can also store crucial data such as system updates and diagnostic history - which can have a major impact on your vehicle's performance if lost.

Thankfully, Scotty picked out a simple and cheap device that can easily solve this issue.

He said: "If you're going to change you car's battery, here's something you should do before you take it out.

"This little device saves it all."

The device in question is a memory saver, which essentially just a long cable with an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) plug on one end and a pair of crocodile clips on the other.

For it to work, you simply put the OBD plug into the OBD port, which can usually be found underneath the glovebox, and connect the clips to a working 12V car battery.

Some even have adaptors on the clip end which allow you to plug it into the in-car cigarette lighter.

The OBD acts as a temporary power source for your car as you remove and replace your battery, and simply saves the memory by providing the power needed to keep your car's settings intact.

These devices can be found for various prices online, with Scotty himself picking out an example from eBay for just $7.

In another video, the popular mechanic warned drivers over their speedy tendencies and how it may impact their car's longevity.

In a YouTube short, the veteran mechanic explained how he got his Toyota SUV to run for over 300,000 miles.

Kilmer suggested drivers should keep an eye on several engine components, including the oil and filters.

He further explained how he changes components on his SUV every 5,000 miles, and how the consistent changes have helped him save money over the years.

Earlier this month, we revealed how drivers had been urged to pay close attention to three car parts as the weather begins to cool after a long period of hot weather.

As the nation saw one of its warmest summers on record, a seasoned mechanic has shared a step-by-step guide to handling the transition to Fall.

Elsewhere, a motoring expert has "debunked" some of the most common myths around the effects of rapidly changing weather on your car - and revealed what you should do instead.