Frequently Asked Questions

Starter batteries provide the starter motor and the ignition elements with the initial power required to move the vehicle. Plus, if the alternator cannot adequately fulfil its function, the first ignition provides the electricity required by the ventilation elements, heaters, headlights, radio and similar equipment in the vehicle. These batteries have a high cranking power, and they instantly draw high levels of current. There are two types of starter batteries, batteries that require maintenance (open type) and no-maintenance batteries (closed type).

Wrong battery choice is mostly the result of choosing a battery outside the capacity (ampere-hour/Ah) determined for the relevant passenger, light or heavy commercial vehicle, or one equipped with non-suitable technology. Plus, incorrect determination of the ampere value that indicates the cold start current of the battery also leads to problems as it causes the vehicle not to get sufficient energy. If a low-capacity battery is chosen that cannot meet the power needs of the vehicle, it consumes too much charge, which leads to quick discharge. In other words, the battery dies before its expected service life. Also, the capacity of the battery will not be sufficient in cold weather, which will lead to failures that prevent the vehicle from starting. A high-capacity battery that is wrongly chosen has more electric energy than the vehicle needs. In this case, the battery provides more current than required and cannot be adequately charged by the alternator. If the power-transmitting cables of the vehicle are thin, they will overheat because of the high current, which may lead to short-circuit and unwanted situations. Choosing a battery equipped with technology not suitable for the needs of the vehicle also means a wrong choice. For example, if you use an SLI battery for a vehicle that has the start-stop technology, the start-stop function of the vehicle will not be enabled.

EFB batteries can be used in vehicles not equipped with the start-stop function as they have the flooded battery technology. The main reason EFB batteries are preferred for standard vehicles is that they have a longer cycle life and higher performance than SLI batteries, which means they can be used longer.

For vehicles equipped with the start-stop technology, this function may not get enabled under some circumstances, such as when:

- The outside temperature is low

- Engine temperature is low

- The inside of the vehicle has not reached the required temperature

- Heating systems such as the demister are running at high speed

- Air conditioner compressor is running at the highest speed

- Seatbelt is not fastened

- The car’s hood is left open

- The driver’s door is left open

- The car is on an extremely steep slope

- Parking sensor is active

- Reverse gear is being used

- The steering wheel is turned more than a quarter round in any direction

- Gear is shifted when the vehicle is about to stop

- Battery sensor does not function

- A battery not suitable for the car is used

- Battery charge is at the lower limit

When the start-stop system cannot be enabled, first of all, read all the items under the heading “What is the reason that the start-stop system in vehicles does not work?” and try to detect the reason why the system will not work. The most common reason for this system to fail is that the battery does not have a sufficient voltage value. The start-stop system will not be enabled if the battery has a low voltage. In this case, you should either charge the battery or use the vehicle for a while so that the battery is charged. When installing a start-stop battery in a vehicle, ensure that the voltage value is 12.60V minimum.

Besides cranking, batteries are also responsible for ensuring the stabilization of the electrical system in the vehicle. If you remove the battery while the vehicle is running, the non-uniform current and the high voltage from the alternator could damage the brain and electrical system of the vehicle. This method should be strictly avoided as it may cause severe damage to the vehicle. A specialist team must install the battery, and when required, especially in the case of luxury cars with advanced equipment, a spare battery must support the vehicle.

For standard vehicles, the battery does not affect fuel consumption. As for vehicles equipped with the start-stop technology, using a start-stop battery will ensure that the engine can automatically stop and run again when necessary, thus saving fuel. However, for the system to be enabled and to prevent any increase in fuel consumption, it is necessary to choose a battery equipped with suitable technology and capacity, and it must be ensured that the battery has sufficient voltage.

Charge acceptance is the battery’s ability to accept and store energy under conditions defined according to certain parameters such as a specific period, temperature, charge voltage, charge level, etc. This ability is one of the main performance parameters for vehicles equipped with the start-stop system or any kinetic energy recovery system. If the charge acceptance of a battery is high, the battery can recharge the relevant energy capacity back to itself much more quickly.

Vibration resistance indicates the acceleration or amplitude at which a malfunction or damage would be seen within a predefined frequency range. The higher the vibration resistance of a battery is, the more it can maintain its performance. Batteries with a high vibration resistance should be preferred, especially for vehicles used under the rough road and land conditions.

The 12V on the label indicates the electrical voltage of the battery in volts. The 60Ah shows the battery's capacity, i.e. the total amount of energy that can be obtained from the battery. 540A EN is the cold crank current that the battery can provide at -18°C as per the EN standard. EN means that the value stated was measured according to the European standard, while SAE is used for the American standard. DIN means former German norm, while JIS means Japanese standard. (These acronyms can tell Japanese batteries from European ones.)

For batteries equipped with a charge lamp called the indicator, it is possible to monitor the battery's charge level through the color of the indicator. If the indicator on the battery is green, this means that the charge level is sufficient. If the indicator has no color, the water in the battery is not sufficient; if the indicator is black, the battery has discharged and needs charging. If the indicator is colorless or black, you should visit your nearest authorized service provider and have the voltage of the battery checked. The battery will need to be charged or replaced, depending on the inspection result.

If the vehicle will not be used for a long time, you can remove the battery's lead terminals to reduce discharge. However, in today’s cars, removing the lead terminals may lead to the deletion of some information stored on the vehicle’s electronic systems. For this reason, before you remove the terminals, you should consider the vehicle's properties.

Batteries equipped with a fully sealed cover system are more resistant to leaks thanks to the labyrinth structure inside the cover. It is also impossible for the user to tamper incorrectly as there are no caps that can be opened. Furthermore, batteries with a fully sealed cover system are maintenance-free, meaning they do not require any additional water.

The production method of the grids depends on the grid material to be used and the conditions under which the battery will be used. In addition to this, various production technologies have emerged due to different needs, expectations and designs. Mutlu Battery uses four kinds of production technology in grid production.

For lead alloy grids, the Gravity (Cast) Production Technology is used to reduce corrosion and increase resistance under different temperature conditions. The Expanded Production Technology is used when many homogenous lead alloy grids are requested. Con-Cast Production Technologies eliminate the disadvantages of the traditional cast method and allow serial production of homogenous grids, and they are used in the production of certain types of batteries. Punch Production Technologies are used when required to provide a high level of freedom when designing the grid pattern.

To speak in more detail about production technologies:

Gravity (Cast) Production Technologies

For lead alloys, different calcium ratios were used to increase the battery’s resistance to different climate conditions, and the heat resistance was improved to offer batteries with a long service life to customers. The patented special Mutlu calcium alloy reduces grid corrosion, especially under high temperatures, which gives the batteries a longer service life.

Traditional battery ranges are still in production considering the significant number of old-make cars in Turkey. These products are also continuously improved.

Expanded Production Technologies

In addition to the traditional cast grid method, Mutlu Battery has been using the expanded metal (Ex-met) technology since 1999 for positive and negative grids in grid production. Among the standard Mutlu starter batteries manufactured for the aftermarket, grids of all models between 35Ah and 110Ah are manufactured using this system. In this method, the lead alloy is first cast as a strip. Then it is milled before it is cut and expanded to a strip grid. The strip grid manufactured is plastered on the same line, ensuring that many homogenous plates can be obtained.

Con-Cast Production Technologies

In the traditional mold cast method, production is interrupted and products are manufactured one by one, which reduces the production output, and the interrupted production process increases production deviations. To reduce problems arising out of this method, Mutlu Battery began using the con-cast production system in 2011. The uninterrupted casting system allows for manufacturing homogenous grids with low deviation values. Negative grids manufactured with this system are used in Heavy Duty and Super Heavy Duty batteries, which have a strong inner structure. Moreover, negative plates of AGM batteries by Mutlu are also manufactured with this production technology.

Punch Production Technologies

The punch system is the most recent point reached in the grid production technologies. The lead alloy is cast as a wide strip in this system and then milled. The milled strip is then punched in the punching machine and turned into a grid. As the punch mold can be designed as desired in this method, it is possible to design the grid pattern as desired as well. This ensures that specific grid patterns can be designed that reduce grid growth and support active substance adsorption.

Thanks to the investment it made in the punch system, Mutlu Battery can now use this method to manufacture certain special types of batteries.

Mutlu SFB heavy commercial vehicle batteries comprise three series. Series 1 batteries are black batteries with standard caps. It contains heavy and super heavy duty alternatives. Series 2 batteries are grey batteries with double covers, found in the Heavy Duty line. Series 3 commercial batteries are Super Heavy Duty batteries, the most durable SFB batteries. You can check Mutlu’s product catalogs or the product pages on the website for more details.

If the outer surface of the battery is dirty, this will increase self-discharge. Keeping the battery surface clean eliminates this risk and prolongs the battery's service life. For this reason, it is recommended to periodically clean the batteries that are not in a closed box inside the vehicle, thus cannot be protected enough against external factors such as dust and dirt.

If you experience a problem with the battery during the warranty period, you should consult your nearest service support unit to have the battery checked. If, after the inspection of the service unit, a malfunction is found that is caused by the manufacturing process, the battery will be replaced with a new one under warranty. If a malfunction arises from use (such as discharge, sulfation due to long waiting periods, breaks, etc.), it will be fixed for a service charge, and the warranty will not cover this.

The warranty period of batteries starts at the date of purchase. In case of a malfunction covered by the warranty during the warranty period, the battery will be replaced, and the date on which the battery was first purchased is considered the start of the warranty period.