Why don't car batteries last as long as they used to?
RACQ explains why battery lifespan is often shorter in modern vehicles and how to find the correct replacement.
Modern motor vehicles have evolved to improve environmental performance and such innovative features and technology use a lot more battery power.
Flat batteries continue to be one of the most common reasons for calls to RACQ Roadside Assistance.
RACQ’s Team Manager of Technical Training and Patrol Operations Howard Strasser explained the main drivers behind the reduced lifespan of batteries in modern cars and how you can keep your battery in good condition.
“Modern vehicles are now designed to reduce emissions and as a result, the vehicle is built to rely on the battery much more than previous generation vehicles,” Mr Strasser said.
“Modern cars also have in-built features to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance, which affects the lifespan of car batteries.
“Under certain conditions, the vehicle charging system will be deactivated, meaning the battery is receiving less charge but also working much harder, which reduces its lifespan over time.”
Start-stop systems also put a strain on car batteries over time. These systems automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restart when the driver releases the brake pedal.
“While this feature helps to conserve fuel and reduce emissions, it puts additional stress on the battery as it needs to provide power for more frequent engine starts,” Mr Strasser said.
Newer cars put increased load on batteries
Modern cars also need to power a wide range of components such as infotainment systems, advanced safety features, climate control and more.
This increased electrical load places greater demand on the car battery.
“Modern vehicles even use power when the vehicle is not being used, which discharges the battery over time,” Mr Strasser said.
Get going with an RACQ car battery
“A big contributor to this is keyless entry, as when the car is unlocked, it is awake and searching for the proximity key.
“One of the ways to keep your battery in good condition is to always lock your car, even when it’s in the garage.
“Many people keep their car unlocked in the garage for the convenience of jumping in when you need to go, but this means your car is constantly awake, looking for the key.”
Using a modern smart charger to keep the battery charged when the vehicle is not in use, is also a way of keeping the battery in good condition.
Which battery is right for my car?
If you need a replacement, finding the correct battery for your vehicle is easy with RACQ's car battery finder on racq.com.
Simply enter your registration number, select the state where the vehicle is registered and click 'search'. Your vehicle model will then be displayed.
Click 'confirm vehicle', if the information is correct, and the different battery options for your vehicle, including their price and the discount for RACQ members, will be displayed.
From this page you can also search for your nearest RACQ batter stockist.
What if I need a battery installed immediately?
If you are an RACQ member and you need a battery installed straight away, contact RACQ Roadside Assistance by requesting help online, using the Roadside Assistance app or calling 13 1111.
Non-members can 'join on-road' by calling 13 1905.
RACQ Battery Product Manager Rod Luhrs explained what happens when a Roadside Assistance patrol attended a car with a suspected flat battery.
“Patrols confirm the battery is serviceable by conducting several tests, including testing the battery and the vehicle charging system, prior to offering a solution,” Mr Luhrs said.
“Due to the power requirements of a modern vehicle and protecting the vehicle from surges and spikes, boost starting the car to get home may not be the best option as it could result in potential damage to the vehicle electronics and in some cases breaking down again.
“A patrol would therefore only offer this option if the battery were serviceable and, on most occasions, if the vehicle won’t start it’s because the battery is no longer serviceable and needs to be replaced.
“Not all car batteries are equal. RACQ offers a high-quality product that is equivalent to original equipment manufacturer standards or better. This is backed up by a nationwide warranty and servicing available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year”.
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The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.