THE ROLL OF THE BATTERY
Learn More About What Your Battery Powers
The battery is at the heart of the car. It powers all of the electrical systems - and when it fails, none of these systems will work.
Varta® Battery Test-Check Program
THE ROLL OF THE BATTERY
Safety
Window Heating
The window heating is absolutely essential during winter and consumes 120W.
Windscreen Wiper
Keep your eyes on the road. The windscreen wipers do a good job, but they
consume between 80 and 150 watts.
Low/High Beam
Lights on – vehicle lights are essential for safety. Modern LED systems
consume as little as 50W.
THE ROLL OF THE BATTERY
Comfort
Heated Electronically
Stay warm! The heating makes use of the heat produced by the engine, but with an
energy consumption of 1000W it's still one of the major drains on the battery.
Seat Warmer
Nice and cozy! A seat warmer will typically consume 100–200 watts per seat.
Air Conditioning
When you turn the AC on, the energy mainly comes from the engine. However, on top of
this it consumes another 500W of battery power.
THE ROLL OF THE BATTERY
Accessories
Electric Sunroof
Here comes the sun. But it takes 200W of battery power to fold back the roof.
Window Lifter
The car’s window and door management system uses several electrical motors
and takes up 150W of battery power.
Cigarette Lighter
A cigarette lighter may be used to charge your smartphone and takes up another
100W on average.
THE ROLL OF THE BATTERY
Utilities
Starter
It takes 800W up to 3000W of battery power to start the engine of your car.
Radiator Fan
Uniform cooling, powerful engine performance. The radiator draws about 800W
from the electrical system.
Engine Management System
Modern cars cannot meet today’s environmental standards and requirements
without an engine management system. This uses up to 200W.
Headlamp Cleaning System
During operation, the cleaning system drains up to 100W from the battery.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT BATTERY LIFE
Excessive heat can cause sulfation and corrosion inside your battery. You usually notice the problem (trouble with cold starts and poor charge acceptance) during cold weather.
Extreme Temperatures
FACTORS THAT AFFECT BATTERY LIFE
A parked car uses up to 1% of the battery´s charge for standby functionality. In addition depending on the ambient temperature and the age of the battery, self-discharge can drain the battery within a few weeks.
Irregular Use
FACTORS THAT AFFECT BATTERY LIFE
Driving only short distances does not give your battery enough time to recharge. In winter, high-consumption accessories such as defrosters and heated seats make matters worse.
Short Trips
THE ROLL OF THE BATTERY
As your car ages, the performance of its battery declines due to corrosion and sulfation. The sulfate crystals that form can clog the pores of your battery’s plates, preventing proper charging.
Older Vehicles
Video courtesy of Clarios – the world’s largest starter battery manufacturer, creating the world’s best batteries – manufacturer of the OPTIMA battery brand.
Video courtesy of Clarios – the world’s largest starter battery manufacturer, creating the world’s best batteries – manufacturer of the OPTIMA battery brand.
