Start-stop technology has revolutionised the automotive sector. Designed to save fuel and reduce emissions, it shuts off the vehicle’s engine when it comes to a complete stop.
When the driver is ready to move, the system starts the engine again. In other words, it prevents the car’s engine from running when unnecessary.
This new technology means the car’s engine must be restarted more frequently using the car’s battery and running vital electrical systems when the engine isn’t producing new electricity from the alternator.
Between multiple start-ups and running electrical systems, Start-Stop technology places much more demand on your car’s battery.
Key Impacts On Your Car’s Battery
As mentioned, Start-Stop technology will increase the number of engine restarts and place extra demand on the battery.
The extra electrical demands are often too great for conventional lead-acid batteries, which are not designed to handle such a large number of start-ups.
To ensure the new feature does work, you will want to ensure your vehicle is fitted with either:
- Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFBs)
- Or Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries
For car owners of high-performance or luxury vehicles, installing AGM batteries is highly recommended, as they work seamlessly with new features.
However, if your car’s start-stop feature is more basic, EFB batteries are perfect for small or mid-sized vehicles.
Start-stop technology will impact your vehicle’s battery in several ways, which include:
1. Increased Cycling (More Frequent Charge-Discharge Cycles)
Traditionally, a car’s battery’s primary role is to provide a high burst of electricity (amps) to start the engine and recharge while driving via an alternator. These high bursts of energy drain the battery fairly quickly and mean they need to be recharged properly sooner than later.
Start-stop systems require the battery to restart the engine multiple times per trip, significantly increasing the number of discharge cycles.
This feature will accelerate wear and tear and shorten the lifespan of standard lead-acid batteries.
AGM or EFB batteries are better suited to handle these increased cycles as they can accept a higher charge or be recharged quickly.
2. Higher Power Demand
While the engine is off, your car’s battery must power all electrical systems, which include:
- Lights,
- Air conditioning,
- Infotainment,
- Sensors,
- And more.
This means the battery’s energy load demand has increased, requiring it to be more resilient and hold more charge.
AGM batteries handle this demand better than standard flooded batteries.
3. Faster Battery Wear and Shorter Life
This technology puts significantly more stress on your car battery than traditional systems.
However, even advanced batteries like AGM and EFB can experience premature wear and failure if not properly maintained.
4. Need for Smart Charging Systems
Vehicles with a start-stop function will use intelligent alternators that regulate battery charging based on usage.
Replacing the battery incorrectly (e.g., using a standard battery instead of an AGM/EFB) can disrupt this system and lead to charging issues or system errors.
5. Increased Cost of Replacement
Due to their advanced design, start-stop batteries are more expensive than standard lead-acid batteries.
However, they offer better performance and longer life in vehicles with start-stop systems.
So, now that we understand how this technology stresses a car’s battery, how do you extend its lifespan?
How to Extend the Life of a Start-Stop Battery
We recommend never replacing an AGM or EFB battery with a standard lead-acid battery in a start-stop vehicle, as the latter will fail quickly.
There are several methods to ensure you extend the life of a start-stop battery, which include the following:
Keep the Battery Charged
If your current driving habit is mostly short trips around the neighbourhood or to the shops and back, occasionally using a battery charger can help prevent deep discharges.
This will help extend the life of your car’s battery.
Regular Battery Checks
Checking your car’s battery voltage is a simple task. You only need a multimeter or a battery tester to measure a car battery’s condition.
To check your car’s battery, set the multimeter to DC voltage (V) and connect the probes:
- Red probe to the positive (+) terminal
- Black probe to the negative (-) terminal
A healthy battery should read:
- 6V – 12.8V when fully charged (engine off)
- 7V – 14.7V when the engine is running (alternator charging)
If it is below 12.4V, it may indicate a weak or discharged battery.
Avoid Excessive Electrical Load While Idling
Using heavy electrical loads features when your car’s engine is off will drain the battery quickly, increasing wear.
Features considered high-power include air conditioning, heated seats, and defrosters.
If you need a new battery for your car with start-stop technology, you can contact one of our stockists for a replacement.
Also, please remember to register your battery for its 25-month warranty.