The workshop consumables checklist: what to keep on the shelf
Absolutely. If your car has stop-start technology, you need a battery designed for it. Stop-start batteries are built to handle many engine restarts in a single trip, with high cycle life and durability that a conventional starting battery does not have.
What a stop-start system asks of the battery
Every time the engine shuts off at the lights, the battery carries the whole electrical load: lights, air conditioning fan, infotainment and the control modules. Then it has to crank the engine again, often dozens of times in a city trip. Between restarts the smart alternator may hold the charge down to save fuel, so the battery spends much of its life partly discharged. A conventional battery is built for one big crank followed by a long recharge, which is a very different job.
Why choose a stop-start battery?
A stop-start battery (EFB or AGM, depending on the vehicle) is built for that duty cycle:
- Supports regenerative braking
- Works with smart alternators
- Handles high accessory loads while the engine is off
- Tolerates repeated partial discharge and recharge
Short version: fitting a regular starting battery to a stop-start vehicle causes premature failure. Fit the type the vehicle was designed for, and have the new battery registered with the vehicle where the system requires it.
The RedPoint stop-start range
RedPoint's stop-start range is purpose-built for today's smart vehicles. Use the vehicle finder to see which type your car takes, or ask the team at your local branch.
