What is the difference between a regular car battery and a start-stop battery?
2 Answers
There are several main differences between regular car batteries and start-stop batteries: 1. Start-stop batteries can be used more times and have a longer lifespan than regular batteries. Their plates are harder than regular plates, and the active material is less prone to falling off, making them suitable for vehicles with start-stop mode. 2. Start-stop batteries are manufactured using stamping processes due to higher technical requirements, but they have larger capacities and can charge and discharge quickly. Ordinary lead-acid batteries cannot discharge large currents multiple times in a short period, as their separators do not allow ions to pass through quickly. 3. The conditions for start-stop engine shutdown are very strict: low battery charge, low air temperature, low water temperature, fog lights on, distance from last activation to current parking less than 300 meters, or engine speed not reaching above 1800 rpm from last activation to current parking. If these conditions are not met, the engine will not shut down.
I usually drive to and from work and often think about the differences in car batteries. Regular batteries are the traditional type, used in older cars, providing power continuously once the engine starts. Start-stop batteries are specifically designed for cars with start-stop functionality, such as when the engine automatically shuts off at a red light and restarts. The key difference lies in durability: regular batteries can easily get damaged by deep discharges and have fewer charge cycles, while start-stop batteries use AGM or EFB technology, allowing hundreds of charge-discharge cycles to support the fuel-saving and eco-friendly start-stop system. The price difference is significant: a regular battery costs around 300-400 RMB, while a start-stop battery might be twice as expensive. Never mix them when replacing: installing a regular battery in a start-stop car may cause engine restart failures or even damage the electrical system; conversely, using a start-stop battery in an older car works but is a waste of money. My new car has been using a start-stop battery for over a year—it does save some fuel, but the battery requires more maintenance, so checking the voltage regularly is essential.
