There are many cars with automatic start stop function now, and many of them are equipped with it to save fuel. It is also easier to use once you are used to it. As long as the start stop function is turned on, there will be many traffic lights in the city, and the number of starts and stops will inevitably be very high. The current when the vehicle starts is very high, and it relies entirely on the power of the battery. Therefore, if the vehicle starts repeatedly, the requirements for battery performance will be particularly high. People who have changed their batteries know that automatic start stop batteries are much more expensive than regular cars, so many people complain that the fuel cost saved by using start stop batteries is not cost-effective. So why are the start stop batteries so expensive? Is it just because of its large capacity?

The capacity of the start stop battery is indeed larger, which is one of the reasons for the higher price. It is not an ordinary lead-acid battery, it uses an adsorption type fiberglass board, which can ensure that the electrolyte is adsorbed around the electrode plate. It has better performance, such as supporting the instantaneous release of more electricity, supporting repeated high current discharge in a short period of time, having much higher cycling charging capacity than ordinary batteries, longer lifespan, and better stability of the battery. In short, its large capacity and better performance in all aspects make it more expensive.

Can we replace it with a regular battery? No, ordinary batteries do not have the above advantages. They cannot discharge multiple high currents in a short period of time. Repeated startup and high current discharge will greatly shorten their lifespan, and the capacity of the battery will decrease quickly. It will not be long before the battery needs to be replaced. In addition, when the battery capacity is low, the start stop function will also fail, and the vehicle will not shut down, making it impossible to use the start stop function normally. Therefore, ordinary batteries cannot be used instead of start stop batteries. There are usually three letters AGM on the start stop battery, and it is also indicated on the outer packaging that it is suitable for starting and stopping vehicles, so do not replace it incorrectly.

Many people believe that repeated starting will damage the battery in order to ensure its lifespan, and they must turn off the start stop before driving. In fact, it is completely unnecessary. AGM batteries have this characteristic, supporting high current output, fast and repeated charging and discharging, and more charging and discharging times than ordinary batteries. The manufacturer has also verified that starting and stopping will not shorten the battery life, so you can use it with confidence. Its lifespan is not much different from that of a car without a start stop function, which is only three to four years. The specific lifespan depends on individual usage, and the remaining lifespan can be checked at a 4S store.

Someone said that when I get in the car, I turn off the start stop function and never use it. Can I replace it with a regular battery? In theory, it is possible, but it has not been verified in practice, and it is unknown whether it will shorten the lifespan. As the starter is also a reinforced type, the starting current should be higher. In addition, the charging and discharging logic of the battery is also different, so it is speculated that its lifespan may be affected. So even if the start stop function is not used, it is recommended to replace the start stop battery. If you go to the 4S store to replace a regular battery, they won't replace it either. The manufacturer requires you to replace the start stop battery.

From: WONDEE Autoparts

2024-4-15