Car Battery Myth Or Fact: 8 Things Every Car Owner Should Know About Car Batteries

Top 8 Car Battery Myth and Facts Debunked

The humble car battery is one of the most vital components of your vehicle. It powers all your electrical systems and allows you to start your engine whenever you need it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of car battery myths around the internet that could cause you to be stranded on the roadside.

In this article, we dispel common misconceptions about your car battery.

Car Battery Fact #1: Car batteries can still drain when not in use

You are probably aware that it's ideal to allow your car to run for a while if you have not driven it for some time. Doing so will prevent you from encountering problems such as a flat battery.

Why? Just as sleeping consumes energy, your car battery is also draining. Technicians call it a parasitic draw, where your battery still powers the clock, radio and alarm system. In addition, car batteries eventually go flat because they lose charge over time so it's not a car battery myth.

All cars should run as often as possible, regardless of the model. In this way, the car battery will be able to recharge so that the engine will function properly.

You may also want to have your car battery checked if you have not used your car that often or only on infrequent short trips.

Car Battery Myth #1: Short-distance driving recharges my car battery

Definitely a car battery myth as we know that you should run your car often to prevent car battery drain. Simply starting your car engine puts the most strain on your battery.

While running your car for a mere few minutes may recharge your battery, optimal charging recommends driving for at least 30minutes to an hour.

Most time, the car alternators will charge a car battery while in use, but short drives are not enough to overcome the heavy drain caused by starting your car. That is why taking a short drive is not enough to charge the battery.

If you plan on parking your vehicle for some time, you can use a battery charger to maintain the car battery health.

Car Battery Fact #2: Cars using start-stop technology requires special car batteries

Automatic start-stop technology can be fuel-efficient when you are stuck in traffic. This technology utilizes a lead-acid battery, which enables the engine to be started and shut down more frequently on the road.

Sadly, you cannot simply replace your car battery with a conventional starter battery (SLI). Different start-stop cars use sophisticated battery management systems, such as the Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) and the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery.

Your car battery will require a car battery replacement of the same type. In the case of an AGM car battery already installed in the vehicle, you can only replace it with another AGM car battery.

The conventional battery of a car is not designed to handle continual discharging and charging, so if you replace the battery of your start-stop vehicle with one, you may experience more problems.

Car Battery Myth #2: All car battery brands have the same effect on performance

Again a car battery myth, not all car batteries are created equal. Some batteries use higher quality components that offer longer-lasting performance.

Meanwhile, different types of car batteries suit individual purposes. With car models gradually becoming more sophisticated year on year, the demand for more powerful car batteries is growing.

Battery quality and durability are essential for car owners. While it may seem difficult to distinguish between the different car battery brands, our technicians have identified some of the best car battery brands here.

Car Battery Fact #3: Hot, humid weather causes car batteries to discharge faster

The heat drains car batteries, and the moisture in humid air conditions can lead to short circuits on the batteries. A buildup of dirt and grime on the car battery terminals can lead to acid and copper-sulfate accumulation, which may overheat and damage the terminals.

Battery discharge is quicker because of the hot and humid weather in Singapore. To prevent this, we should clean the battery whenever possible to avoid problems.

Maintaining your car battery is easy if you follow these Dos and Don'ts. Limiting short car trips, turning off your interior and exterior lights, and keeping your battery clean should keep the battery in good shape in Singapore's climate.

Car Battery Myth #3: Heavier car batteries guarantees higher quality

The majority of car batteries are lead-acid batteries. Since lead is the primary component, it seems as though heavier batteries are a good indication of higher lead content and hence of better quality.

However, this car battery myth may mislead unsuspecting customers. Notorious battery manufacturers are known to have added concrete, drywall and even sand to increase the battery weight.

However, weight is not the only good indication of quality for car batteries.

So how can we distinguish between fake and authentic car batteries? Buying from a reputable and reliable car battery brand minimizes this risk.

Car Battery Fact #4: Buying a more expensive battery does not guarantee better performance than a cheap car battery

Naturally, we should expect more expensive car batteries to last longer than cheaper car batteries. Expensive car batteries typically use better quality components to deliver better performance.

Some of these components can be relatively heft, such as lead-acid, plates, cables and rubber. And their respective quality impacts car performance. For example, a car battery's lead-based plates allow current and ions to flow easily between the terminals. The high-quality plates are well-designed to regulate current flow to moderate fluctuations and ensure smooth performance.

Generally, expensive car batteries have better performance ratings than cheap car batteries. But each car battery comes with basic essential specifications to keep your car running.

Car Battery Myth #4: Car Batteries can last the life of a car if taken care of

Unfortunately a car battery myth as well, car batteries are a consumable item that naturally wears over time with use. As the alternator charges the battery, its lifespan also degrades. Although we should not expect sudden battery death, they become less efficient as they age. We are only at risk of abrupt battery failure if we use them beyond their recommended lifespan.

The average car battery lifespan of a car is between 1.5 and 2 years, but how long a car battery can hold its charge and remain capable of recharging depends on many factors. Notably by chemical composition, weather, frequency of usage and brand.

By following the recommended tips on car battery care, car batteries will last longer.

While your car battery cannot last forever, you can ensure that it has a long, fulfilling life during your car ownership.

Understanding your car battery can help you avoid common car battery problems and keep your vehicle running at its peak performance. Share this essential guide to debunk car battery myths with a friend today.