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BATTERY FAQS

The Frequently Asked Questions About CAR


BATTERY

1.HOW DO I KNOW MY BATTERY IS DEAD (OR ABOUT TO DEAD)?


Slow Engine Crank: When you attempt to start the vehicle, the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start.

You have Jumped start your car a Lot: If you have to jump your car more than three times in a single week, it's time to replace your battery.

2.WHAT CAUSES A CAR BATTERY TO DRAIN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF?


There are some devices on your car that are supposed to go to sleep when it's parked, and sometimes, not all of them go to sleep.

Interior Electrical Systems Current Leak: Most vehicles draw some battery current when the key is off, example clock and the internal memory of
engine computers, body-control modules and radio presets. All these together draw a very small amount of current. Fifty milliamps would be a safe
upper limit for this, although many vehicles will draw less. If you're not sure, look up the correct rating in the service manual.

Defective Alternator Diode: An alternator recharges the battery and powers certain electrical systems. If your alternator has a bad diode, your battery
can drain. The bad diode can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is shut off, and the car won't start in the morning.

2.WHAT CAUSES CAR BATTERY TO DIE QUICKLY?


Too Many Short Drives: If you are always taking short drives, this may be the causing your battery life to end too soon. If you keep on starting and
stopping your car before your alternator has time to recharge, this would account for the reason why your car battery keeps dying and isn't last as long
as it should.
Faulty Charging System: The battery is charged by an alternator(driven by a belt from the engine). If there is something wrong with the system, your
car battery could be dying too soon.
Extreme Hot Temperatures: Hot weather can drain the life out of your car's battery. Build-up of lead sulfate crystals can occur when leaving your
vehicle in high temperature for too long.The sulfate build-up can shorten the life of your battery and increase the amount of time it needs to be
recharged.
Vibration: Vibrations from rough travel or a poorly-secured battery can shake loose or damage the plates.

3.HOW TO TEST MY ALTERNATOR?


Connect the meter leads to the battery terminals and look for 13.5 to 14 volts (engine running, lights and accessories off). That means the alternator is
charging the battery. While lights and accessories are turned on will be 13 to 13.9 volts.

4.CAN I TEST MY ALTERNATOR BY DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE CABLE?


If you’re tempted to test an alternator by disconnecting the negative battery cable, don’t do it. A good alternator may indeed keep the engine running,
but it was never a good test. In the pre-computer days, you could pull it off without damaging anything. Today, you risk frying every electrical device
in your vehicle. The second you disconnect the battery, the voltage regulator pegs the alternator to put out maximum power. With no battery in the
circuit to act as a buffer, the alternator can put out up to 150 volts, depending on engine rpm. When the smoke clears, that “simple test” could end up
costing you several thousand ringgit for new electronics.

Instead, get a cheap voltmeter (about RM30 at any home center or auto parts store). With the engine off, battery voltage should be between 12.5 and
12.8 volts. If it’s below that, charge the battery with a battery charger before you conduct the test. Then start the engine and check for increased
voltage readings as shown above. If you see higher readings, chances are the alternator is good (more sophisticated testing equipment is needed to
detect an open or shorted alternator diode).

3.MY ALTERNATOR FUNCTION WELL AND MY BATTERY IS ONLY FEW MONTHS OLD,
BUT WHY MY CAR BATTERY DIE IN THE MORNING?
A dead battery in the morning is usually caused by a computer module that isn’t shutting down when you turn off the car. If your alternator tests good,
get your vehicle into a shop and pay a pro to find the misbehaving module.

4.WHAT BATTERY SHOULD I USE FOR MY START-STOP/I-STOP CAR?


Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB)
A start-stop system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the
engine spends idling, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions. AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries can withstand the
repeat start function, but car manufacturers looking for a lower cost solution came up with the enhanced flooded battery (EFB). Tests
reveal that the EFB performs better than the regular flooded version, but it is not as good as AGM. Performance appears to be directly
related with battery cost.

5.WHAT IS AGM BATTERIES?


AGM (absorbed glass mat) is a special design glass mat designed to wick the battery electrolyte
between the battery plates. AGM batteries contain only enough liquid to keep the mat wet with the
electrolyte and if the battery is broken no free liquid is available to leak out. Sealed AGM batteries
typically last 3 to 5 years on average. 6 to 8 years is easily obtainable with proper maintenance.
Typically sealed AGM batteries will give warning before completely dying. They will start slower, and
require more charging.

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