As the days get shorter and temperatures start to decline, like us, a battery goes through changes that can affect the starting performance of a vehicle.
These cold conditions increase friction around the engine components and an increase in oil viscosity creates higher demands on the engine that requires additional cranking power to start the vehicle.
To add more stress to the situation, a fully charged battery at 25?C has approximately 100% of its power to crank the engine. At 0?C the battery’s ability to deliver the same amount of power is reduced by around 35%.
|
Power available from battery |
Temperature oC |
Power required to crank engine |
|
100% |
27o |
100% |
|
65% |
0o |
155% |
|
40% |
-18o |
210% |
The combination of the vehicle’s operating conditions, an increase in engine tolerances and a decrease in available CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is a big factor behind an increase in battery failures over June, July and August.
Research has proven the correlation between the more batteries you test the more you sell. This is particularly pertinent when we consider that approximately 700,000 battery sales are lost each year to road clubs as a result of people waiting until their batteries fail before replacing them.
Over 70% of these vehicles would have been in a service bay or retail outlet within the last 6 months which could have provided the motorist with a free battery test. This is particularly interesting when we consider that one in every twenty batteries identified with a ‘chance of failure’ leads to a battery sale.
Proactive battery testing is essential in helping to secure extra sale through pre-emptive battery replacement. Battery testing using a hand held tester from Century Yuasa provides an accurate on the spot test result in minutes. It can help identify suspect batteries before they fail and highlight problems with the vehicle’s starting and charging system but more importantly it helps your customers avoid the financial and emotional costs associated with a flat or faulty battery. Not only will this translate into battery sales but it is also good customer service, maintains your reputation and will help further cement your business in the local community.
Contact your Century Yuasa representative on 1300 362 287 or visit www.centurybatteries.com.au for more information on the extensive range of battery testing and diagnostic equipment available from Century Yuasa.
