Modern passenger vehicles demand a significant increase in electrical supply compared to older cars, this is especially true with starting.
In a nutshell, this means that the vehicle will stop, turn off the engine at traffic lights and then restart to go – this is a fuel saving feature. The primary issue with this form of technology is that it requires a different kind of car battery than a standard one.
With the advent of this kind of tech, a lot more is required of the humble car battery. Systems need to be kept powered while the engine stops on idle, it also needs to have sufficient power to restart the engine again. Add to that the amount of times this needs to happen over the reasonable life of a battery and you have a special needs situation that a regular battery just can’t handle.
Effectively, this is technology used on vehicles with SS Technology and hybrid/electric vehicles to turn kinetic energy into electricity. Once a driver lifts the foot off the accelerator, the regenerative braking system converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy.
The friction generated inside the motor creates electricity that slows the forward motion of the vehicle and generates power that is used to help recharge the battery. This technology varies for hybrid electric and full electric vehicles.
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Technology in vehicles is moving rapidly. Once upon a time, all batteries were more or less the same. These days, that couldn’t be further from the truth. You can rely on Autospark to be up to date with the absolute latest advances and information to provide you with the very best advice and products to keep you moving.
You do need to be aware of some pitfalls with cheapie batteries – you get what you pay for! In a Stop/Start situation, a regular battery is not good enough to handle the extra demands placed on it with this kind of use.
We only supply top quality, well warrantied batteries to support the safest and most reliable requirements for all vehicles. Autospark is always happy to provide you with the information you need to make the right choice and we’ll fit it too. You can rely on the trusted professionals.
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To keep your vehicle engine running smoothly, it’s crucial to understand the importance of a reliable car battery replacement. Below are the answers to some common car battery questions to get you started or help diagnose a problem.
Australia has some of the harshest environmental conditions in the world. The extreme temperatures and varied landscape can affect the life of a battery. Driving habits, vehicle type and battery age also impact life expectancy. Not all batteries are the same.
Autospark recommends Exide’s Range of batteries, designed to withstand the high under-bonnet temperatures and excessive vibration experienced by motorists. We have a full product range available, including automotive, marine, deep cycle and industrial batteries to provide customers with the best solution for every application.
Short distance driving can cause your car battery to flatten over time. This is because your battery doesn’t have a chance to reach ‘full’ charge, which leads to accelerated corrosion and acid stratification. If you only use your car for short trips, long distance spins between them will help boost your battery’s health. Bad habits, such as skipping periodic car maintenance and using too much energy when idling also shorten battery life expectancy.
It’s crucial the right car battery is purchased for your vehicle type and installed correctly to prevent battery problems. SUVs, 4WDs and other large off-road vehicles have different power needs the battery must cater for. Dual battery systems designed for these models can offer the right battery solutions. However smaller cars will be better suited to passenger vehicle batteries.
Other battery types, such as motorcycle batteries and marine batteries are not suitable for your car. They have a lower amperage output and are designed for deep discharge cycles.
Heat is the number one killer of a battery. Although it increases the performance of car batteries short-term, their life is drastically reduced over time. Heat increases the rate of evaporation, which causes a loss of water from the electrolyte. Extreme heat also increases the rate of self-discharge and promotes the corrosion of the positive plate grids.
Battery life is determined by various factors, with the most important being proper maintenance. Amount of use, proper charging and climate are other elements that also need to be considered. A battery that is stored for prolonged periods of time without use or recharging can develop sulfation on the plates. This greatly reduces the time and efficiency of how batteries perform.
Car batteries generally last between four to six years. However, there are multiple factors to consider when determining how often a battery needs to be replaced including vehicle type, region/climate, driving habits, regular battery/car maintenance and whether the battery was installed correctly. If your current battery performance is unsatisfactory, consider upgrading your battery to suit your situation and driving needs.
There are a few easy steps you can take to maximise the life expectancy of your battery:
Choose the right battery for your vehicle type
Ensure your battery is correctly installed
Check the top of the battery monthly to ensure it’s clean and free of corrosion
For maintainable batteries, remove plugs monthly to determine if there’s enough electrolyte covering the plates. Top up with distilled water if required or book in for a battery service
For maintenance free battery types, check the water indicator monthly
Charge batteries with an appropriate battery charger every three months to maintain peak performance
The saying you get what you pay for reigns true with car batteries. Batteries vary in price depending on their cranking capacity (CCA rating), battery type and warranty. Generally, the longer the warranty the better the product. Batteries with a higher CCA rating tend to last longer and help your vehicle perform better. However, this is still dependent on other factors such as the strength of internal lead plates, how much electrolyte it contains and how well the battery has been built.
Old batteries must be disposed of properly because of the toxins they contain, including lead and acid. They should be recycled at your local mechanic or battery repair outlet. If you have an old battery to dispose, you can speak to our staff at Autospark.
Exide Batteries, from Autospark, has a comprehensive business approach called Total Battery Management [TBM], that plays a leading role in one of Australia’s most effective and successful recycling programs. TBM encompasses manufacturing and distribution of lead-acid batteries, responsible collection and storage of spent batteries, safe transportation and reclamation of battery materials and use of those materials in the production of new batteries. Exide Technologies Batteries are also 98% recyclable.
You don’t have to wait until you break down to change your battery. Avoid breakdowns by getting your battery tested on a regular basis. Vehicle electrical systems are becoming more complex and its vital you purchase the right battery for your vehicle, so we recommend leaving it to the experts.
As a group of trusted Professionals, Autospark has been serving Western Australia for over 35 years. With quality technicians and one of the most trusted names in the industry, you can rely on Autospark.
Autospark ensures compliance with all the required regulatory bodies, this is a requirement we are more than satisfied to fulfil. Just another way you can be sure you are getting the best, from the best.
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