Starter battery life may be shorter than it once was, says Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, Australia (RACQ). Apparently the drive to improve environmental performance is behind the condition, as new technology devours more battery power. However, if your auto dates from the pre-electronic era, then you may not experience the problem.
Modern Technology Sapping Starter Battery Life
“Modern vehicles are now designed to reduce emissions, “ explains Howard Strasser, RACQ’s Team Manager, Technical Training and Patrol Operations. “And as a result the vehicle is built to rely on the battery much more than previous generation vehicles.”
“Modern cars … have in-built features,” Strasser continues, “to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance”, also affecting starter battery life:
- For example, the starter battery charging system may power down in some circumstances. This means the battery is working harder, and this in turn shortens it operating life.
- Stop-start systems also strain starter batteries over time, Strasser continues. These turn the motor off when the vehicle is stationery, and fire it up again when the driver releases the brake pedal.
- This feature is positive, because it saves gasoline and lessens emissions. However, it also has the side-effect of shortening starter battery life, by using it to kick start the motor more frequently.
Other Additional Loads Affecting Battery Longevity
Modern internal-combustion vehicles also have a load of additional accessories. These include infotainment systems, advanced safety features, climate control, and more according to RACQ. “They use power even when the vehicle is standing idle, and this gradually discharges the battery too.”
Strasser blames keyless entry for much of the problem, because it is “awake and searching for the proximity key” whenever the car is unlocked. Many people leave their vehicles unlocked in the garage for convenience overnight, but this means their starter batteries never enjoy deep sleeps.
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