Under the Hood: How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Mercedes

Replacing components and fluids is a big part of owning a Mercedes, as both allow your vehicle to operate safely and efficiently for a long time. The main question among Mercedes owners is whether to go OEM or aftermarket.

Aftermarket components are definitely more affordable and give you more for the same or lower price tag. They are also able to provide your vehicle with added features and usually come in different variations, making them overall more versatile.

While it may seem easy to replace visible parts like worn-out floor mats and tyres, crucial parts like your car battery shouldn’t be overlooked. When problems arise, it’s important to replace your car’s battery in order to keep your Mercedes from leaving you stranded on the side of the road.

Types of Car Batteries

Lead-Acid

These batteries are the tried-and-true solution for most vehicles, as lead-acid batteries use a simple technology that makes use of lead plates immersed in acid. Lead-acid Mercedes car batteries are reliable and budget-friendly. However, they often need a bit of upkeep, like topping up with distilled water.

Great for everyday commuting, lead-acid batteries aren’t made to be left unused for long periods or deep discharges, which can make your car struggle to start.

AGM

AGM or absorbent glass mat batteries take the lead-acid formula and combine it with glass mat separators soaked in electrolyte. These batteries are sealed, which means they’re spill-proof, and they’re also made to withstand vibrations, which makes them perfect for luxury vehicles.

AGM car batteries are able to charge quickly, last longer and suit stop/start systems with high electronic loads. They cost more, but you get a maintenance-free option that runs at its best no matter the conditions.

EFB

For Mercedes-Benz models with stop/start systems, especially older ones, an EFB or enhanced flooded battery is the ideal choice. Their design handles repeated charging and discharging better than conventional lead-acid batteries.

EFB batteries are made for stop-and-go traffic as they offer a longer lifespan and are a more reliable option than lead-acid batteries, especially if your Mercedes car battery replacement needs to accommodate modern features.

Calcium

A calcium battery has, as you’d expect, calcium in the plates, which results in less water loss and improved durability. Calcium batteries are sealed, don’t require topping up and withstand heat and electrical stress quite well, which suits Australian weather conditions.

If your Mercedes is left idle for long periods, a calcium Mercedes car battery helps maintain charge and reduces the hassle of added maintenance.

Important Features

Ah

The ampere-hour rating shows how long a battery can supply power. For Mercedes car batteries, sticking to the factory-recommended Ah ensures all your car’s features, as well as the engine, run smoothly, even when the latter is not running. If you go with a lower Ah than what’s needed, you can face unexpected power issues.

Size

Installing a battery with the correct dimensions is vital, since a battery that’s too large or small may move around when driving, which can cause electrical issues or get damaged if you’re driving on uneven terrain a lot.

CCA

The number of CCA or cold cranking amps a battery has tells you how well it’s able to start the engine in cold weather. While Australia isn’t the Arctic, in colder regions or when taking trips down south, you should keep an eye on this number. A Mercedes car battery replacement with a higher CCA will start your car in the coldest of climates.

RC

RC or reserve capacity is the capacity a battery has to offer when the alternator fails. Meaning a Mercedes car battery with a higher RC gives you more time to use your car’s heating, cooling, multimedia and so on when your charging system is not present.

Date

Even unused batteries lose their charge over time, which is why you should always check when the battery has been manfuactured. To avoid getting a Mercedes car battery replacement that will quickly fail you, it’s best to go for one made within the last six months.

Maintenance

Older or flooded lead-acid batteries may need to be filled up with distilled water every now and then. On the other hand, most AGM, EFB and calcium batteries are sealed. If you don’t like to open your bonnet and tinker with your battery, even if it’s once in a blue moon, avoid going for flooded lead-acid batteries.

Handle

A sturdy handle makes removing and installing a heavy battery out from under the bonnet or boot much easier. If you get a battery with a handle, you’re investing in a minor detail that has a major impact, despite only usually being useful twice during a battery’s lifespan.

Conclusion

Matching your Mercedes with the perfect battery isn’t just good practice, it’s essential for reliability and performance. Car batteries sit at the heart of your vehicle’s electronics, which is why you shouldn’t skimp on a good quality battery. If you’re noticing slow starts, flickering electronics or know your battery is ageing, don’t wait till things get worse.

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