On the surface, car batteries are pretty simple – you plug them in and your car fires up when you turn the key. However, there are loads of myths out there about these handy little electricity bricks. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Yuasa to put eight of the most popular car battery myths to the test.
Myth 1: I haven’t used my car much so my battery is fine
Myth definitely busted. Even if you haven’t used your car for a while, the battery is still being drained by your car’s alarm and electrical systems. And as batteries are electrochemical devices, they naturally lose charge over time anyway.
All of which means it’s worth getting your battery checked if your car has been sitting around, or only used for short infrequent journeys. Take advantage of the Halfords Free 5-Point Car Check to get an expert opinion on your battery, upgrade to a 10-Point Car Check for added peace of mind. You can also join the Halfords Motoring Club where two 10-Point Car Checks are included when you join as a Premium member, along with a range of other benefits (more on that below).
Myth 2: Letting my car idle or driving a short distance will recharge my battery
This one is also busted – simply because starting your car is the very thing that puts the highest drain on your battery. It takes a lot of power to get a car going, so it’s very unlikely that a short drive will put enough charge back into the battery to cover that energy cost.
Most modern cars can charge a battery while they’re idle. However, it’s not a great idea to just let a cold engine idle its way up to temperature while charging. You’re much better off using a battery charger, such as these options from Halfords.
Myth 3: The brand of a battery makes no difference to its performance
Again, busted. All Yuasa batteries will perform to the specifications on their labels, and all conform to European battery performance standards. All Yuasa batteries are also Original Equipment (OE) quality and spec, which means they’re fitted by vehicle manufacturers as standard.
The experts at Yuasa have tested some non-OE batteries and found the specifications are sometimes exaggerated and these batteries can lack safety features. So, it’s always worth going with a well-known brand.
Myth 4: The heavier the battery, the better its quality
This one is actually true. Lead is the main component of a battery, and on a basic level the more lead you have in a battery, the better it will perform.
However, it’s not always the case that heavier is better because poor quality batteries have been known to contain concrete to give a misleading impression. You can avoid this risk by always buying a well-known and reputable brand, such as Yuasa.
The one situation where the weight = quality rule doesn’t apply is with lightweight lithium ion batteries. This cutting-edge technology can now be found in some high-performance production vehicles. Fun fact: Yuasa lithium ion batteries power most of the systems on the International Space Station, where weight-saving is essential.
Myth 5: Paying more for a battery does not mean better performance
Another one that’s busted (usually). More expensive batteries tend to have more plates inside and, in basic terms, having more plates gives your battery more energy to start your car. So yes, paying more for a battery does usually mean it’ll give better results and last longer.
This is reflected in the starting specification of the Halfords ranges. While a regular budget-friendly battery provides up to 20,000 starts and has a three-year guarantee, the more premium Yuasa Silver 5000 batteries give up to 50,000 starts and have five-year guarantees.
Myth 6: I can fit a conventional battery to a car that has start-stop technology
Sadly, this is just a myth. If your car has start-stop technology, it’ll be fitted with a next-generation lead acid battery. This is because the battery has to crank the engine more frequently as you start and stop in traffic.
Some start-stop cars will have an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB), while others will have an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery. These batteries need to be replaced with one of the same type and spec, or you could run into problems.
If you’d like some expert support with fitting a replacement battery, Halfords is here to help for just £20. Simply book online or pop down to your local store for safe, contactless fitting.
Myth 7: If looked after, a battery can last for the lifetime of a car
We’d love this one to be true, but sadly it’s not. A battery is a consumable item, just like a brake pad, which means it’ll wear with use. And while you can certainly prolong your battery’s life with careful charging, testing and maintenance, it will still need to be replaced eventually.
Myth 8: Batteries discharge faster in winter
Myth firmly busted. The natural discharge rate of a battery is actually highest in summer because of the higher temperatures.
So where did this myth come from? Well, a battery will lose 30% of its ability to supply cold cranking amps at 0°C. Also, the act of starting a car engine is much harder on your battery when it’s cold (due to the thick, cold engine oil) and that’s why you’re more likely to struggle to start your car in winter. Batteries also find it harder to accept a charge when it’s cold because their internal resistance increases.
Introducing the Halfords Motoring Club
Boost all of your battery care, maintenance and replacement needs by joining the Halfords Motoring Club. You’ll get access to a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee (or a one-off payment) to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club
Here at Halfords, we offer a range of batteries, including top brands like Yuasa batteries. Our online vehicle registration number checker will show suitable options for your car, while you can book a fitting as part of the checkout process.