Everything about the car battery
The car battery is one of the most important parts of the vehicle as an energy source. But which battery is the right one, how do I take care of it and what can I do to keep my car from falling in winter? Here you find the answers.
Selection
Some cars require special battery types. Basically, it should, therefore, be checked before buying a replacement battery in the manual of the vehicle. It is usually noted, if only a certain type of battery may be used. Check my reference to know in details about car battery.
Housing size and electrical data must fit
When replacing a battery you should choose both in the housing design as well as the electrical values (voltage, capacity, cold start current) the same size as the original power storage. The information can either be read from the old battery or taken from the instruction manual. Slight deviations downwards (about 44 Ah capacity instead of 47 Ah) are unproblematic. Deviations bring up reserves, but they do not have to be.
Quality-tested batteries in the event of a breakdown by the Yellow Angel
Another practical aid is provided by the 1700 ADAC road patrol vehicles. Jump-starting is one of the most common tasks. In the event that the vehicle battery can not be reactivated, have the "Yellow Angel" for most vehicle models quality-tested batteries on board and install them on request, which saves an extra trip to the workshop.
Maintenance
On average, a car battery lasts about four to five years. If you want to use the power storage for as long as possible, you should take care of it carefully.
Our recommendations
- Car batteries must not be tipped over a longer period of time. That's what you should think about when a vehicle is jacked up at an angle or put on-ramps, say, in winter. Because even electricity storage without plugs can lose corrosive acid through the vent labyrinth, damaging the surrounding sheet metal.
- When shaking, acid can escape through degassing openings - therefore take extra care when transporting! It is best to use gloves.
- For a jump start, follow the correct sequence of connections.
- Avoid electrostatic charging of the battery housing because, despite constructive measures, it cannot be ruled out that a spark can be spilled into the interior. Therefore, you should never wipe a battery with a dry cloth.
- Deep discharged batteries do not necessarily have to be defective; they should be connected to a suitable charger.
- If a battery shows a total failure, you should check the vehicle's charging system (generator, regulator, and wiring) to prevent damage to the new battery in the event of a fault in this area.
Battery in winter
In the ADAC breakdown statistics are unwilling to start batteries every winter in the first place - and not only in older cars. This raises the question: what can I do as a motorist so that there are no difficulties? Here are our tips:
The most important rule: save electricity
The power requirement in winter operation is much higher: light, windscreen wipers, blowers, heated rear window, even a seat heater - all this can consume more energy than the alternator is able to reload - especially in short-haul traffic! So you should off strong electrical consumers such as the rear window heating, as soon as they have ensured a clear view. But it is clear: At the lighting, of course, cannot save on poor visibility conditions!
Recharge and check - before the battery becomes acute
If the battery has difficulty turning the starter even in mild outdoor temperatures, then collapse is inevitable with the onset of frost. In the better case helps a vitality cure on the charger. But if the battery is too old (it can be critical already from the age of four) or has been "over-discharged" once or several times in the past (emptied by non-disconnected consumers), then only an exchange will help. Who does not want to wait until the first failure: ADAC test centers and garages have the opportunity to test the "cold start capability" of the power storage.