As the winter months draw closer and the cost-of-living crisis continues due to soaring energy costs and rising inflation, VARTA is urging the industry to not fall into the trap of cutting corners when it comes to fitting or supplying replacement batteries.
VARTA Technical Trainer, Andy Cook, said: “There is a temptation for some motor factors to take the ‘easy route’ and push a cheaper, standard flooded battery, which would then be fitted to the end-user’s start/stop vehicle. It seems like an easier sell/message to deliver, but it’s absolutely not the right approach – it will end up costing them more in the long-run.”
Standard flooded or SLI batteries are traditional types made for and fitted to older vehicle types, ones with no start/stop system and with fewer electrical consumers. They are not suitable for modern vehicles with fuel-saving functions, like start/stop, according to VARTA.
Andy continued: “It is vital, that if a vehicle has start/stop functionality, either an EFB or AGM is fitted; trying to get away with a SLI will result in short battery lifespan and could even lead to features on the car not working properly.”
VARTA always recommends fitting like-for- like, or like-for-better, when it comes to technology and battery replacement.
Andy explained: “I understand that everyone is being cautious of spending at the moment, but I really do think it’s wise to invest in car maintenance, to fit the best available replacement parts – this helps avoid any potential breakdowns or lowering the re-sale value of a car.”
Test every battery
With over half of vehicles on the road now having a start/stop system, it’s vital that a workshop has an up-to-date tester, which can also accurately test AGM and EFB batteries, according to VARTA. If it’s an older tester that doesn’t have the capabilities to test AGM or EFB batteries, then it’s worth them upgrading – motor factors should be able to take advantage of this and support their customers.
Andy highlighted: “It shouldn’t take long to complete a battery test – not much longer than five minutes – but by explaining the results to the customer, factors’ workshop customers are giving their customers peace of mind that the battery is operating properly or advising that it might be time for a replacement. By doing this, motorists will have a functioning battery and be ready for upcoming journeys.”
Batteries face greater demands than ever before, as they have to serve increasingly complex and power-hungry car electronics. Whereas digital dashboards, inbuilt screens and parking cameras used to be limited to high-end vehicles, they are now commonplace on most models, all placing additional strain on the battery.
Andy concluded: “Many drivers are also plugging in their mobile devices to charge them whilst on-the-move, again drawing power from the vehicle. This is why it’s paramount to ensure the battery is in a condition to support all the comfort and safety features – it’s the heart of the car.”
