A car battery is principally used to start the engine. It is also used to filter or stabilise power and to provide extra power for the ignition, lighting and other vehicle accessories when their combined load exceeds the capability of the charging system i.e. when the engine is idling.

The battery also provides power to the electrical system when the charging system is not in operation.

Regular maintenance of a battery is very important. If well maintained, a battery will last for up to five years.

Types

Low maintenance (non-sealed) and maintenance free (non-sealed or sealed) are the two most common types of car batteries.

The advantages of maintenance free batteries are less preventative maintenance, longer life, faster recharging, greater overcharge resistance, reduced terminal corrosion and longer shelf life, but they are more prone to deep discharge (dead battery) failures due to increased shedding of active plate material.

In hot climates, like South Africa, buying non-sealed batteries is recommended because a sealed battery will not allow you to add distilled water when required, or to test the battery's specific gravity with an external hydrometer.

Car batteries are specifically designed for high initial cranking amps (usually for 5 to 15 seconds) to start the engine.

When selecting a battery, it is extremely important to choose a battery that will match the voltage output of your charging system and its application. The easiest way to accomplish this is to replace your battery with the same brand of battery or with a battery compatible with the original.

Hi-Q stocks a wide range of high quality low maintenance (non-sealed) and maintenance free (non-sealed or sealed) batteries. The brands we fit are of the highest quality, providing a safe, sure start again and again. The superior brands we fit include Exide and Willard.