My battery is failing (6 years old, had hoped for better).

The price of stop/start batteries seems to be significantly higher than normal ones, so my question is this: given that I never use the stop/start function, can I fit a standard lead-acid battery, or will something terrible happen?

Im not sure how sophisticated the FL2 stop /start system is . Does it have recuperative energy from braking ?
(Mine is a SD4, so never bothered looking in to it)

But read here :

https://batteryworld.varta-automotive.com/...pe-agm-efb

"If a conventional battery is installed in a start-stop vehicle, a significant reduction of battery life or restrictions in the function of the vehicle’s Energy Management System must be expected. This also applies if the start-stop function is deactivated." Jules

whilst stop/start can be 'turned-off' by switch on console, this is only after engine is running. It resets each time the engine is turned off, then on again.
Stop/start may be able to be isolate by a dealer, or some OBD tool ??

Mine is a 2010 TD4e, with no other energy saving technology apart from start/stop, which I always turn off at the start of each journey anyway (it also disables the annoying "change up a gear" light on the dash).

I'm sure Varta would like me to buy their most expensive battery, but I'm going to take a calculated risk and buy a standard battery and see what happens.

I'll report back in 5 years, or sooner if it fails!

How much will you be saving ?

My 2019 Fiesta ST has stop/start tech and uses an EFB battery rather than a more expensive AGM. Maybe you could try a EFB battery ? Jules

Last edited by jules on 12th Mar 2021 11:12 am. Edited 1 time in total

£50 maybe

My 2019 Fiesta ST has stop/start tech and uses an EFB battery rather than a more expensive AGM. Maybe you could try a EFB battery ? Jules

The alternator on these vehicles is way more advanced than units of old, I fondly remember fitting a 60A alternator as an upgrade (35A was normal). The FL2 version is roughly 160A, as it has to power an awful lot of kit. It no longer thinks for itself, and is told what its output should be by the engine management system, this system monitors usage, current state of charge, temperature amongst others - all of which have a bearing on how much power the alternator should be putting out. It also knows what the battery is capable of accepting in the way of charge at specific temperatures and state of charge.

Change to a different type of battery and the ECU will be in danger of damaging the battery by over/under charging.

A neighbor called to say that his SKODA Octavia alternator was playing up, as far as I could tell the output was fine, so I asked why did he suspect the alternator, his response was that he had fitted a new battery only 18 months previous and now this one was struggling to start the car. Turns out that he had fitted a standard battery on a stop/start vehicle. Fitted the correct battery and three years later no problems. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

My Yuasa 80Ah, 800A AGM coped with the stop/start for about 2 years. It’s now 4 years old and starts the car OK, but only has enough charge to operate the stop/start for a couple of days after it’s had a good motorway run or been on the charger. Looking to replace it soon. Anyone had a better experience with a different manufacturer?

£10.00 a year over five years is it really worth it? Common sense isn't very common.
_______________________________
2007 Land Rover Freelander2 I6 hse Auto

tim_roberts wrote:

The price of stop/start batteries seems to be significantly higher than normal ones,

Hi,
the Battery does Not make stop/start work or not

The type of battery fitted is because the stop/start system demands more of the battery, so a battery labelled as "Stop/start" is a type that will cope better with those demands.

S/S are often AGM type as these accept the discharge and charge better/quicker, understand there is another type of battery that sits between a basic lead acid and the AGM might be worth looking at (forgot what its called though )

 .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

Look above - its called EFB Jules

Yep that's the ones

But as I had forgotten what they were called, did not know it was that

Enhanced Flooded Battery .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

tim_roberts wrote:

My battery is failing (6 years old, had hoped for better).

The price of stop/start batteries seems to be significantly higher than normal ones, so my question is this: given that I never use the stop/start function, can I fit a standard lead-acid battery, or will something terrible happen?

Why would you buy a premium car like a Freelander and then possibly ruin its reliability and resale value by deliberately fitting the wrong sort of battery for the sake of £50 over 5 or six years !!