VARTA® Battery Test-Check Program
Free Battery Test
Find your local workshop participating in the FREE VARTA® BATTERY TEST-CHECK PROGRAM.
OUR DEMANDS ON CAR BATTERIES ARE CHANGING
Driving is no longer just about reaching a destination – the drive itself should be as pleasant, entertaining and environmentally friendly as possible.
Modern cars are equipped with more electronics than ever before. And they are more dependent on the battery than ever before. They depend on a battery which provides full power in every situation and which can provide a reliable power supply to all electronic consumers. A battery which is powerful enough to get you to your destination comfortably, safely and efficiently.
Because of this, it is more important than ever to have your car battery checked regularly. Did you know? 46% of all car breakdowns are caused by the battery. Don’t let it be you! With our workshop finder you can quickly find a VARTA® partner close to you, who offers a battery test check free of charge. Click here to arrange an appointment today.
The role of the battery
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Extreme temperatures
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.
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Irregular Use
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.
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Short Trips
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.
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Older Vehicles
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.