Types of Start-Stop Car Batteries
The start-stop system in your car switches off the engine when stopped at traffic lights to save energy. The battery powers your auxiliary systems (lights and music) and also stores the energy generated by your regenerative braking system.
An ordinary car battery wouldn’t be able to cope with these demands and may even fail. It is therefore important that a start-stop battery is fitted.
Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB)
The Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) is the more advanced lead-acid technology that meets the power and cycling demands of your car’s start-stop system. EFB batteries use a special poly fleece material lining each of the battery’s vertical plates for more consistent flow of electricity, as well as carbon additives and a grid structure to transfer electrons faster. They also feature a deeper discharge design that allows them to operate at a lower state of charge than traditional lead-acid batteries and can endure more intense cycling-related failures that can cause other battery types to wear out prematurely.
The EFB battery’s state-of-the-art LifeGrid Technology uses calcium/lead alloy punched-grid plates for maintenance-free performance, superior heat protection, and enhanced cyclic durability. Its dynamic charge acceptance is up to twice as fast as a standard flooded battery, and it can deliver up to six years of service, depending on the climate where you drive.
While EFBs are a great choice for vehicles with start-stop functionality, it’s important to note that downgrading from an AGM to an EFB battery can cause the system to fail, leading to an expensive and potentially dangerous engine malfunction. To avoid this, it’s best to upgrade from an AGM to an EFB or traditional flooded battery if you need to replace your starter battery. If you do decide Fashion Jewellery to downgrade from an AGM to an EFB battery, always use a charger specifically designed for these types of batteries to prevent damage.
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
The AGM battery (also known as an absorbed glass mat battery) has a unique construction that sets it apart from the standard flooded lead-acid battery. Instead of a liquid electrolyte, these batteries use a glass mat to wick the acid from the battery plates into its pores. This allows the battery to store electrolyte in a suspended state, allowing for rugged durability and spill-proof design.
In addition, the AGM battery has a lower internal resistance than its flooded counterpart, allowing it to charge faster and reach a deeper DoD. The absorbent fiberglass mat also means the battery is less susceptible to internal sulfation. Because of this, these batteries have a longer lifespan and require fewer topping charges during long term storage.
AGM batteries are ideal for cars with start-stop technology and significant power demands, including smart electronics. They have a high reserve capacity that enables them to keep up with a vehicle’s power requirements for a longer period of time than a traditional battery.
Another benefit of the AGM battery is its ability to withstand high levels of vibration. This is why you’ll often see them in high-end motorcycles and NASCAR race cars, as well as other vehicles with a lot of power-hungry features. AGM batteries are also sealed, which allows them to be mounted in a variety of positions and eliminates the need for venting. This also enables them to be shipped by air without any hazardous material restrictions.
Auxiliary Battery
Modern vehicles with CO2 reduction technologies and more power hungry options as standard including sat-nav, smartphone interface and augmented displays often use an additional battery called the auxiliary battery. It acts as a backup for the main vehicle battery and provides voltage for specific electrical equipment when the engine isn’t running.
When the auxiliary battery fails, your car might not start, or your radio and navigation system will stop working. The auxiliary battery also keeps certain safety features like the Lane Assist function and dashboard display functional when the car isn’t moving, so it’s essential that you have it checked out as soon as possible.
Thankfully, it’s not as hard to replace the auxiliary battery as you might think. You’ll need a trim removal tool, some Phillips screws and a bit of work to get to it. You’ll find it behind a panel in the trunk or under the seat, depending on your Mercedes model.
While it’s not as critical as the car’s main battery, you should replace your auxiliary battery at least once every five years or as soon as you notice a decline in performance. If you leave it too long, you could face costly electrical failures later on. For the best results, choose a high-performance battery that’s been engineered specifically for start-stop cars. Power Sonic’s range of AGM batteries are ideal for this purpose, with a high-cycle life and advanced design to cope with the increased demands placed on the car battery by fuel saving technologies.
Replacement Battery
Using a regular battery in a start-stop car will cause it to become depleted quickly because the battery is constantly charging and discharging. This causes it to wear out and can cause the car’s electrical systems to shut down while you’re driving. Our Kwik Fit centres offer a range of battery types that are specifically designed for use with stop-start technology.
AGM batteries are made with special construction techniques that help to make them ideal for start-stop cars. They feature absorbed glass mat which allows them to charge and discharge much faster than a conventional battery while also having high cycle stability and excellent deep cycling properties. They’re also capable of storing energy from the vehicle’s regenerative braking system, converting some of the power created while braking into electricity that’s used to recharge the battery for the next restart.
The architecture of the electrical system in most modern vehicles requires a specific battery technology to work correctly. This is why it’s important to use the correct Fashion Jewellery battery type in a vehicle equipped with start-stop technology, or your battery may fail prematurely and require replacement. If you’re not sure which battery your vehicle requires, get in touch with our expert technicians at your local Kwik Fit centre. They can check the state of your start-stop battery using specialist equipment and ensure you’re fitted with a battery that is optimised for your vehicle.