Which is the Best Car Battery Brand?

adityamunshi · 31st March 2009, 11:54

It began as an occasional hot starting problem some time ago. Then it started happening daily, and since the past few days i even have cold start problems.

The hot starter problem in very common in all Indicas so i suspected the starter first. However, when i changed batteries with my new Indica (2007 DLG), the starter works perfectly with the other battery (which is older than my Amaron).

I was told that the Alternator is okay by my mechanic. Gives a 13.5-14 V reading with the engine started.

Any ideas on what to do next ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon

^^^What kind of problems... please elaborate a bit. Hope you have checked the charging system. Anyway, you can always claim warranty if the batt is at fault.

Raccoon · 31st March 2009, 12:42

Well, if there is a problem with the charging system, the new battery you installed may not give problems as most prolly its around fully charged. Use it for a few days and see what happens.

Meanwhile, I don't think you should waste time... take the Amaron to the dealer for testing... esp. the specific gravity of all the cells. If there is any problem, I'm sure they will replace it.

greatmana2000 · 1st April 2009, 11:14

Nobody has any idea how Base Terminal batterys are?? :([/quote]

Base terminal batteries are good . As I have mentioned in the previous posts and threads , all batteries are the same ,use the same technology and most of the big makers have the same machinery.

I feel base has an edge over the other batteries over the pricing .

kingshukt · 2nd April 2009, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNarula

Guys, Exide or Standard farukawa one and the same thing is providing constantly poor batteries.

In India Standard Furukawa Brand is owned by Exide. The technology is sourced from Furukawa.

Just thought you guys should know.

greatmana2000 · 3rd April 2009, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingshukt

In India Standard Furukawa Brand is owned by Exide. The technology is sourced from Furukawa.

Just thought you guys should know.

Even though SF is owned by exide , I feel that SF offers more bang for the buck than exide .

R2D2 · 4th April 2009, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatmana2000

Even though SF is owned by exide , I feel that SF offers more bang for the buck than exide .

Frankly my experience with SF has not been too good whilst Exide has never given me a problem in decades. Strange thing is they are made in the same factory. I think it is a quality issue possibly attributable to the large volumes of batteries manufactured by Exide. Like with any mass produced product there will always be some duds creeping into to the market.

Rgds,

Shan2nu · 6th April 2009, 02:55

Ok, i think my OHC battery just gave up today.

Will get it checked tom and see if it can be revived.

Just incase nothing can be done, which battery do i go in for?

How is Amaron? And how much does it cost.

Shan2nu

Aston.Martin · 6th April 2009, 08:42

@Shan2nu, Amaron would be the right choice. My Amaron is three years old, never had any issues and still going good. It coasts around 3.5 to 4 k.

condor · 8th April 2009, 22:47

SF is OEM in Tata vehicles.

Question:
If I want to install a battery of higher rating than stock, will it help ? Any changes required ?

greatmana2000 · 8th April 2009, 22:54

Question:
If I want to install a battery of higher rating than stock, will it help ? Any changes required ?[/quote]

Yes , you can . But you have to choose the correct dimensions .

nishantgandhi · 14th May 2009, 13:05

In my Getz, I have been facing cold starting problems since a few days now. Last week, I had a major scare when I stopped midway on Pune Expressway (after a drive of 2 hours) and my car did not start. Had to wait for 20 minutes and it magically started normally. Why did this happen?

Usually the car would start in half a crank. Now, it takes the crank to be maintained for 1-2 seconds. I have been told that this could damage the self/starter.

Will get the battery checked (Is Bat Mobile service from Exide any good?)

In case the battery needs to be replaced (Exide OE - its over 4 years old now), which is better - Amaron or Tata Green?

There were some word-of-mouth reviews that Tata batteries have leakage issues?

Whats the cost of an Amaron battery and which model to go for?

Raccoon · 14th May 2009, 15:09

^^^The SF in my car again ran down completely yesterday.

Had to call the Bat Mobile service. Its decent and fairly prompt. They even checked the batt with a hydrometer.

Did your car come to a stop while driving or did were you unable to restart it after you killed the engine yourself?

I'd always recommend the Amaron. Its sealed and you get to avoid electrolyte and gas damaging your car! You could also consider BOSCH if they are sealed (I think they are). They are considered to be good. You should be able to get them at MICO BOSCH authorised dealers (available in Poona at least).

Tata is too new to comment on. Also they are not sealed, so you risk damage and also incur maintainence. IIRC warranty will also be shorter.

nishantgandhi · 14th May 2009, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon

^^^The SF in my car again ran down completely yesterday.

Had to call the Bat Mobile service. Its decent and fairly prompt. They even checked the batt with a hydrometer.

Did your car come to a stop while driving or did were you unable to restart it after you killed the engine yourself?

I'd always recommend the Amaron. Its sealed and you get to avoid electrolyte and gas damaging your car! You could also consider BOSCH if they are sealed (I think they are). They are considered to be good. You should be able to get them at MICO BOSCH authorised dealers (available in Poona at least).

Tata is too new to comment on. Also they are not sealed, so you risk damage and also incur maintainence. IIRC warranty will also be shorter.

I had stopped at the Food Plaza, midway to Pune, after driving for about 2 hours. After tea and snacks when we resumed the journey, thats when the car refused to start.

Same thing happened again last Sat. Had gone to drop some relatives at Sion bus station. Was driving for about an hour and then stopped. Tried to re-start within 5 mins (found a better parking spot) and the car refused to start.

In both the cases, after waiting for 10-15 minutes, the car started normally.

But as I mentioned earlier, the car takes a longer crank to start, especially in the mornings.

P.S. Tata batteries carry a 30+30 month warranty. Cost is Rs 5,600. Exide costs Rs 4,950 with a 48 month warranty. However, I have no clue about the cost and warranty of Amaron (my preferred choice) or Bosch Silver.

Hashim · 14th May 2009, 18:09

@nishantgandhi: Was the self motor working or it gave up when you were trying to start? If self motor running sound is comming then its not battery fault. Your car may need service thats it.

Raccoon · 14th May 2009, 18:15

You haven't mentioned if other things were working - power windows, music system, lights, etc?? Just check all this if you dont have a multimeter, etc...

31st March 2009, 12:42	#242
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	Well, if there is a problem with the charging system, the new battery you installed may not give problems as most prolly its around fully charged. Use it for a few days and see what happens. Meanwhile, I don't think you should waste time... take the Amaron to the dealer for testing... esp. the specific gravity of all the cells. If there is any problem, I'm sure they will replace it.
	() Thanks

1st April 2009, 11:14	#243
greatmana2000 BANNED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 703 Thanked: 58 Times	Nobody has any idea how Base Terminal batterys are?? :([/quote] Base terminal batteries are good . As I have mentioned in the previous posts and threads , all batteries are the same ,use the same technology and most of the big makers have the same machinery. I feel base has an edge over the other batteries over the pricing .
	() Thanks

6th April 2009, 02:55	#247
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Ok, i think my OHC battery just gave up today. Will get it checked tom and see if it can be revived. Just incase nothing can be done, which battery do i go in for? How is Amaron? And how much does it cost. Shan2nu
	() Thanks

6th April 2009, 08:42	#248
Aston.Martin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 149 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	@Shan2nu, Amaron would be the right choice. My Amaron is three years old, never had any issues and still going good. It coasts around 3.5 to 4 k.
	() Thanks

8th April 2009, 22:47	#249
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 16,240 Thanked: 16,891 Times View My Garage	SF is OEM in Tata vehicles. Question: If I want to install a battery of higher rating than stock, will it help ? Any changes required ?
	() Thanks

8th April 2009, 22:54	#250
greatmana2000 BANNED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 703 Thanked: 58 Times	Question: If I want to install a battery of higher rating than stock, will it help ? Any changes required ?[/quote] Yes , you can . But you have to choose the correct dimensions .
	() Thanks

14th May 2009, 13:05	#251
nishantgandhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,223 Thanked: 156 Times	In my Getz, I have been facing cold starting problems since a few days now. Last week, I had a major scare when I stopped midway on Pune Expressway (after a drive of 2 hours) and my car did not start. Had to wait for 20 minutes and it magically started normally. Why did this happen? Usually the car would start in half a crank. Now, it takes the crank to be maintained for 1-2 seconds. I have been told that this could damage the self/starter. Will get the battery checked (Is Bat Mobile service from Exide any good?) In case the battery needs to be replaced (Exide OE - its over 4 years old now), which is better - Amaron or Tata Green? There were some word-of-mouth reviews that Tata batteries have leakage issues? Whats the cost of an Amaron battery and which model to go for?
	() Thanks

14th May 2009, 15:09	#252
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	^^^The SF in my car again ran down completely yesterday. Had to call the Bat Mobile service. Its decent and fairly prompt. They even checked the batt with a hydrometer. Did your car come to a stop while driving or did were you unable to restart it after you killed the engine yourself? I'd always recommend the Amaron. Its sealed and you get to avoid electrolyte and gas damaging your car! You could also consider BOSCH if they are sealed (I think they are). They are considered to be good. You should be able to get them at MICO BOSCH authorised dealers (available in Poona at least). Tata is too new to comment on. Also they are not sealed, so you risk damage and also incur maintainence. IIRC warranty will also be shorter. Last edited by Raccoon : 14th May 2009 at 15:11.
	() Thanks

14th May 2009, 18:09	#254
Hashim BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aligarh Posts: 449 Thanked: 49 Times View My Garage	@nishantgandhi: Was the self motor working or it gave up when you were trying to start? If self motor running sound is comming then its not battery fault. Your car may need service thats it.
	() Thanks

14th May 2009, 18:15	#255
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	You haven't mentioned if other things were working - power windows, music system, lights, etc?? Just check all this if you dont have a multimeter, etc...
	() Thanks