Advisor: Now your battery needs care
In the TCS breakdown statistics, the starter battery is the number one cause, accounting for 37 percent of all breakdowns. A large proportion of breakdowns can be avoided with proper care of the 12-volt starter battery. The lower the temperature, the poorer the performance of the battery. Thus, especially in the first cold days before winter, the [...]
The lower the temperature, the worse the performance of the battery. Thus, especially in the first cold days before winter, the likelihood of a battery breakdown is increased, particularly with older electricity storage systems.
In addition, the battery is also subject to aging processes and is therefore considered a wearing part that often has to be replaced after just five years.
How can you recognize increased wear?
A first sign of a weakening battery can be indicator lights that become darker after engine start.
And if the starter turns audibly slower and chokes when starting, or if indicator lights or the interior lighting flicker, these are already clear signs of a worn battery.
Start-stop systems or battery sensors monitor the condition. If the start-stop system refuses to work even after a long drive, the battery may be at the end of its service life.
These tips for care avoid mishaps
- Modern batteries are maintenance-free. However, for frequent short trips, monthly charging with a battery charger is recommended.
- If the battery has been deeply discharged once (for example, when the light is on for a longer period of time), the battery is usually permanently damaged and no longer achieves full performance. A battery check makes sense here.
- The battery is not always to blame when the car won't start. The cause can also be consumers that are switched on or broken components such as the alternator or voltage regulator.
- At outside temperatures below freezing point, batteries initially accept little charge. Consumers that do not serve traffic safety (for example, the seat heater) should therefore not be switched on immediately.
- If the battery is to be replaced, it is essential to observe the manufacturer's instructions (operating instructions) regarding size and type.
- Power packs as external starting aids can be helpful. However, these are usually not ready for use just when you need them, and they also often do not work at low temperatures. Storing them in the vehicle in winter is therefore not recommended.
Starter batteries for electric vehicles
By the way: Some tips for 12-volt starter batteries also apply to electric cars. In addition to the traction battery (high voltage) for the drive, these also have a 12-volt battery for switching on the high voltage and for operating the on-board network.
