Vehicle failure to start and non-functional characteristics - elucidation of battery maintenance

[neilrr010]

The season is approaching when individuals will begin to share articles regarding their vehicles' difficulties in starting, or their complete failure to start, along with enquiries seeking assistance to diagnose elements that have ceased functioning despite the absence of an apparent defect.

Owners frequently report problems that occur abruptly, noting that the vehicle functioned properly during its last use. Posts frequently assert that the lights were not inadvertently left on, that the vehicle is utilised routinely, and/or that a new battery was installed only last year, therefore ruling out these potential causes.


All could stem from a malfunction, although in numerous instances, it is merely insufficient battery voltage. This occurs when we extract more energy from the battery than we replenish. The vehicle's alternator replenishes the battery while the engine operates; however, this may be insufficient to prevent a gradual decline in voltage over time.

Evenings are darkening sooner, mornings are remaining dark longer, travel durations are diminishing, congestion is intensifying, and our consumption of appliances—such as heaters, heated seats, lights, wipers, and air conditioning—is escalating. This indicates that the vehicle consumes a greater amount of battery charge each minute of operation, while the alternator replenishes the battery for a reduced duration.

For certain vehicles, these symptoms will appear very rapidly after the onset of autumn or winter weather. For some, the battery endures throughout autumn and winter, although not sufficiently to allow the natural seasonal transition and usage to replenish more charge than it depletes.

Certain contemporary vehicles may deactivate non-essential services and features to safeguard the battery, often without any notification. Certain components exhibit high sensitivity to voltage, resulting in malfunction when the voltage is insufficient, although this may not be intentional.

Main dealers, workshops, and motor factors frequently provide a new battery in such situations. If low voltage was the cause, absent any specific defects, this will alleviate symptoms in the short to medium term. However, if the vehicle continues to be utilised in the same manner, the voltage will progressively diminish once more, and the cycle will recur.

Replacing the battery prematurely is both costly and unnecessary for the owner or driver, unless the battery is genuinely defective or sufficiently aged to fail in retaining a charge for a reasonable duration, thereby wasting valuable materials and energy involved in its production and distribution.

Regularly charging the battery can prevent the voltage from dropping to critically low levels, hence preserving the car's functionalities and its ability to start. The process is swift and uncomplicated, and the battery may remain in the vehicle provided you possess a suitable battery charger (or "maintainer").

A mere 24-hour charge in a month will sufficiently replenish a battery, significantly mitigating the danger of low voltage problems and extending the battery's lifespan. It need not be a continuous 24-hour period and can be conducted anywhere with access to electricity, not exclusively at home.

Prominent brands of battery chargers include CTEK, NOCO, and RING, along with those frequently available in the central aisles of Aldi and Lidl, which are highly esteemed. All are sufficiently adequate for infrequent use. Ensure that the charger you purchase is safe for use while the battery remains connected to the vehicle and is compatible with your car's battery type.

If your vehicle is equipped with a lithium battery, it must exclusively be charged using a specialised lithium battery charger. These components are exceedingly rare and utilised exclusively in high-performance vehicles, where the substantial relative expense is warranted by the little weight. In case of uncertainty, consult the label on your battery.

Ultimately, establishing a connection is uncomplicated. To charge occasionally, attach the charger’s crocodile clips to the jump start terminals located under the hood (see to your vehicle’s manual for exact instructions). Some chargers are equipped with quick-release wires that can be permanently attached for regular charging.

Avoid directly attaching the charger to the battery's positive and negative terminals, since this may disrupt the vehicle's charging system and circumvent the protective mechanisms implemented by manufacturers to safeguard the car's delicate electronics.

[Black_raven]

Prudent and prompt counsel.

[torque2me]

I engaged in this practice with all my Mercedes vehicles. Despite the installation of new batteries. Brief excursions deplete batteries.

[peakroach]

An excellent guide; this should be pinned at the top of the forum!

I utilised the 'report' tool to notify the administrators and request that it be designated as a sticky at the top.


The report button can have both beneficial and detrimental purposes.

[neilrr010]

If I am banned now, I will understand the reason. 😊

[DMGRS]

You will be culpable as accused.

I will retrieve my coat.

[another_clean_sheet]

Is AI streamlined?

😄

[neilrr010]

Merely a BD Original (TM) Slim. By now, you should be sufficiently acquainted with my aesthetic!

It comprises content that is partially distributed among numerous MBClub discussions and posts, many of which I have contributed to, all consolidated in a single location.


I recently initiated a comparable thread on tyre skip, having observed its increasing mention in recent posts, with the expectation of further discussions to follow.

I proposed that instead of each individual responding to every new thread with identical information, I (and others) may respond to new threads by providing a link.