A dead battery is possibly every car owner's worst nightmare. And when the nightmare comes true, you desperately wish you had changed it last month when it stuttered and choked and almost failed to start your vehicle.
When it's time to get a new car battery, even the strongest among us are tempted to go the cheap way. Instead of investing in a reliable brand we are delighted at the thought of saving a few hundred dirhams. However, buying just any new battery is not the solution. Going for cheap replacements is almost as bad as having a dead battery for company.
Here are a few reasons why unreliable duplicate batteries can put a dent in your pocket and in your car.
Low-quality build
Car batteries sold at cheap prices are mostly made by unskilled workers and include substandard parts that compromise the quality of the overall driving experience. Products made from poor-quality raw materials do not last long and this applies to car batteries as well.
Cause of accidents
Batteries made from low-quality materials get damaged more often. Damages are acceptable since batteries can be replaced — what is unacceptable is the possible occurrence of accidents resulting from these damaged batteries. Screws and similar parts in cheaper batteries tend to break easily and may result in faulty electrical connections causing short circuits in the car. You may not have heard of a car battery exploding but if you push your luck too far, you might just experience it first-hand.
"Incorrect and inferior batteries can damage the on-board computers used in vehicles to keep the car functioning properly — from fuel supply to sensors in the tyres and sending fault codes to the dashboard. An inferior battery will limit this system working properly. In some cases using/fitting an incorrect battery can lead to the vehicle catching fire, as too much stress has been put on the battery and it simply cannot cope with the demand," says Shaun Smith, National Fastfit Manager, an express tyre and battery fitting centre of Al-Futtaim Auto Centers, a newly formed entity within the Al-Futtaim Group.
Low power supply
Inexpensive car batteries may work fine at first but as time goes by the main power supply capacity may run low, even if they are charged properly. Also keep in mind that new cars come with a number of electrical gadgets, so low power supply is quite detrimental. Low power supply also puts a strain on the car's starter and alternator, ultimately resulting in their failure.
Guido Gring, Vice-President of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, Sales Independent Aftermarket for Middle East and Africa, says, "Modern vehicles are being fitted with components that have increasing demand for electrical power. A high-performance battery with reliable power supply is essential, especially in the Middle East where weather conditions are at times extreme. A car battery tends to age faster in high temperatures. Therefore, it is highly advisable that consumers invest in high-quality batteries to ensure continuous and reliable power supply to avoid surprises on the road."
Lack of warranty
The warranty contributes to the price of a car battery so the lack of one may cause them to be cheaper. However, replacing a problematic battery from the same manufacturer, without a warranty, can leave you in a fix. Some batteries may have factory defects and can be replaced with warranty. Without a warranty, you will need to pay the full price to buy replacements.
Frequent replacements
Cheap and unreliable car batteries may save you money but over a period of time you will have spent more. Damages and problems may cause you to replace your car's battery several times. This is in addition to the possibility of having to replace more intricate electrical systems such as your starter and alternator.
