The discussion centers on the premature failure of a Toyota Etios Liva's battery after four years of use, attributed to infrequent driving and inadequate charging practices. Participants emphasize the importance of regular battery maintenance, including the use of a smart trickle charger to prevent sulfation and ensure longevity. They recommend conducting proper load tests to assess battery health and suggest that a battery can last between four to nine years with appropriate care. The conversation also highlights the need for clear communication with service personnel regarding battery testing results.
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New generation stop-start features are engineered somewhat differently to older lead-acid systems. For example, they may contain a supercapacitor (very low impedance = very fast charging) to support a sealed gel-electrolye battery.CWatters said:Indeed. My car turns off the engine automatically at stops. So on the school run it restarts about a dozen times in 30 mins.
Not to mention your starter. I did the experiment on my last vehicle, and my starter failed within a week.mic* said:New generation stop-start features are engineered somewhat differently to older lead-acid systems. For example, they may contain a supercapacitor (very low impedance = very fast charging) to support a sealed gel-electrolye battery.
Although 30min minimum charge for one start is very conservative even for lead-acid, I would not try starting an unsupported lead-acid battery once every 30sec with only idling between. It WILL die faster.
Even if I keep the issue of the battery aside based on what @mic* said, doesn't that consume more fuel? I generally had the idea that an engine in good condition, if kept in idling state at traffic signals, consumes less fuel than what it would have consumed when switched off and turned on again and again (I assume that air conditioners, heaters and defoggers are all switched off).CWatters said:Indeed. My car turns off the engine automatically at stops. So on the school run it restarts about a dozen times in 30 mins.
In short, no.Wrichik Basu said:Even if I keep the issue of the battery aside based on what @mic* said, doesn't that consume more fuel? I generally had the idea that an engine in good condition, if kept in idling state at traffic signals, consumes less fuel than what it would have consumed when switched off and turned on again and again (I assume that air conditioners, heaters and defoggers are all switched off).
Larger bttery units seem to be another approach. SC's are rated at >500,000 cycles so they are not considered a servicable part. They will outlast your steering wheel.CWatters said:My understanding is that auto start stop does or can discharge the battery deeper than otherwise but they have a BMS system that turns off the auto start stop mode if it gets discharged too much. They may also use a slightly larger battery than on comparable cars without auto start stop. Don't think the battery is supported with a super cap, at least not on my car.
Wrichik Basu said:We have a Toyota Etios Liva, four years old, petrol variant. ... Our car is not used much. Usually on an average, it is driven for around 14km per month.
Well, I didn't think of such detailed calculations. The average value was of 2018. In the previous years, it has traveled quite a distance. The odometer reading currently is a little greater than 5000km.gmax137 said:Is this number (14km per month) correct? The four-year old car has 670 km (~400 miles)? At the advertised mileage (about 20 km per liter) you have burned around 34 liters (9 gallons, US) in the past four years