If you are not a specialist, you will quickly come across terms in the world of car parts that are rather foreign to a layperson. On the other hand, if you hear the word car battery, even a layman knows what it means. For example, a dead car battery is the reason for a vehicle not starting. A jump start by bridging with another vehicle is the simplest solution and has already been carried out by most drivers. However, many laypeople are not aware that start-stop batteries are also available. In general, one can say that the start-stop battery performs the same tasks as the conventional car battery that we are familiar with. But the start-stop battery has to deliver more power here. Why is that and what the start-stop technology was developed for? We want to go into more detail on these questions below.
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First: start-stop-automatic – what is it actually for?
The start-stop system is usually installed in younger vehicles. Almost all of the current models have it. The start-stop system is a system designed to reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, to reduce harmful emissions into the environment. In practice, the system works as follows: when driving in a city or in an area with a lot of traffic lights and roundabouts, the traffic also quickly comes to a standstill. For drivers, this means frequent stopping and starting again. At traffic lights or in front of roundabouts, people sometimes stop for minutes. During this time, the engine continues to run happily, even when the vehicle is stationary. Fuel is therefore consumed in a completely pointless manner and exhaust gases are released into the environment, although the vehicle's engine could also be switched off. This was the basic idea for the start-stop system. Why should a vehicle's engine keep running, consuming fuel and releasing emissions while the car is waiting at a traffic light for a green light? Couldn't switching off the engine protect the environment better here? Since the driver waiting at the traffic light should not be busy switching the engine on and off every time, it was important to design a system that automatically switches off the vehicle's engine as soon as the vehicle is stationary and idling located. So if the driver stops at a roundabout or traffic light, shifts into neutral and takes his foot off the pedal, the engine switches off immediately. As soon as the driver presses the clutch to re-engage a gear, the engine restarts just as quickly. The driver himself hardly notices this process and the environment is protected during these minutes of waiting.
But switching on and off costs the vehicle a maximum of performance. That's why the special battery for the start-stop system was developed: the start-stop battery.
Which batteries are for the start-stop Automatic particularly suitable?
The EFB and AGM batteries are particularly in demand here for the start-stop and micro-hybrid systems. According to statistics, the cycle life is three times that of a conventional starter battery.
How can the start-stop battery be recharged?
In fact, there are also chargers that have been specially designed for batteries using the start-stop system. These chargers keep the batteries in the best condition in the start-stop system and support the benefits such as reduced fuel consumption and reduced emissions. In addition, these chargers often have a patented desulphation function. Because batteries that are not used have to lose their service life and performance due to sulfation. Removal of the sulphate build up from the lead plates can be ensured by using the charger, restoring the battery to good condition even after the battery has been in use for a long time.
The operation of the charger is also simple and safe here: the device is protected against dust, resistant to short circuits and also equipped with protection for the vehicle electronics. The terminals are well protected against sparks and protected against polarity reversal. Overcharging or undercharging the batteries can also be ruled out by using a charger.
Lifetime and replacement of start-stop batteries
On average, it is assumed that a start-stop battery will function smoothly for up to five years. But the five years usually pass faster than expected and when the end of the service life has been reached, the vehicle owner should not hesitate and try to buy a new battery. On average, he has to reckon with a price of just over 100 euros. The high-quality AGM batteries have a cold cranking current of around 650 amps, while a cheaper battery usually only has 550 amps. And it is precisely this 100 ampere difference that is very important when it comes to starting the vehicle.
Due to the more complex vehicle electrical system, changing a start-stop battery takes more time than replacing a simple battery. On average, specialists have to carry out up to 28 individual steps here before the old start-stop battery can be replaced with the new one. More than an hour of work time usually elapses here. The process is also particularly complex because the start-stop battery is part of the on-board electronics and is therefore also integrated into the vehicle electronics by the battery management system (also known as BMS) and the battery sensor (also known as EBS). A layman should therefore not get the idea of wanting to carry out such an exchange independently. If mistakes creep in during the replacement or the work is not carried out carefully, this can quickly be reflected in the comfort and also in the fuel consumption of the vehicle. In the worst case, the automatic start-stop system can even fail or be defective.
The conclusion and a tip from CarTipsandmore
The start-stop system in modern vehicles is a technical advance that many drivers would not want to do without. It helps to save fuel and minimize emissions into the environment. Longer waiting times at traffic lights or in traffic jams are used to switch off the engine. A clear plus for the environment and for the wallet. However, vehicles with start-stop systems need particularly powerful start-stop batteries. To service, purchase or replace such a start-stop battery, CarTipsandmore warmly advises you to always go to a workshop with competent professionals. Be sure to refrain from DIY work. So stick to these recommendations and you'll be able to experience the benefits of Start-Stop technology for a long time.