With the forecast of colder weather on the way battery sales are sure to be on the rise over the coming weeks and battery specialist Yuasa says it is vital to not only ensure the correct specification battery for each model is chosen, but also that driver habits are taken into account.

To assist with correct battery choice Yuasa offers an online battery lookup tool at fit.yuasa.com. Used by over 80,000 mechanics and technicians, fit.yuasa.com is a powerful battery lookup system, that allows searches by vehicle registration, VIN number and make/model lookup. The system features; 

- The correct battery options and all technical data including capacity, cold cranking amps and dimensions
- Detailed fitting instructions, battery location plus any warnings to tell you if a specific battery type is required. For example If a vehicle is fitted with an original equipment AGM Start-Stop battery, then the replacement must also be an AGM Start-Stop. The same applies for EFB.
- Estimated fitting time to price the work to the customer accordingly
- Standard fit, upgrade, and upgrade plus options for the vehicle where available.

If the vehicle has a battery management system then this must be reset through the onboard diagnostics port to tell the vehicle when the battery has been replaced. Yuasa offers a Yu-Fit Battery Configurator tool for a convenient and easy way to perform reprogramming of the BMS.

Yuasa also points out that in many instances it is sensible to offer customers an up-sell option. Unlike with Start-Stop technology, for standard ignition vehicles there may be standard fit, upgrade and upgrade plus options available. Battery selection should not be based on specification alone. It is important to determine the correct battery replacement required based on driving style and vehicle usage. This means questioning the customer about their journey length and frequency as well as their annual mileage. Short, infrequent journeys (anything under 20 minutes) does not give the battery time to fully charge. This results in the battery becoming deeply discharged and permanently damaged. Yuasa says in these cases, the best way to optimise performance and prolong service life is to install a higher specification battery.

Standard Yuasa YBX batteries are of original equipment quality and are available in the following options:
YBX5000 series – Up to 50,000 engine starts, designed for vehicles with high power demands
YBX3000 series – Up to 30,000 engine starts, for vehicles with standard power demands
YBX1000 series – Up to 20,000 engine starts, for vehicles with basic power demands

For Start-Stop, micro hybrid and electric vehicles the options are:
YBX9000 AGM series – Up to 360,000 engine starts, for vehicles with advanced technology such as Start-Stop with regenerative braking and energy recovery
YBX7000 EFB series – Up to 270,000 engine starts, for vehicles with advanced technology such as Start-Stop

For more information visit fit.yuasa.com