Car battery questions, answered

A technician usually reaches you in 20 to 35 minutes anywhere in Dubai, and the fitting itself takes about 15 to 25 minutes including the battery monitoring system reset.

The Velar has start-stop, so it uses an AGM battery. The exact capacity depends on the engine and model year, so we confirm it from the label on your current battery or from the VIN before the van leaves.

Yes. The battery monitoring system should be reset so the car knows a new battery is fitted and charges it correctly. Our technicians do this on site as part of the fitting.

Yes. We use service cars and compact vans that fit standard basement height limits. Tell security a technician is coming and send us the level and bay number.

Yes. Dispatch runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Fridays and public holidays.

New batteries carry a warranty of up to 24 months, depending on the brand and model you choose. The term is written on your invoice.

You can pay by cash or card on site, or split the bill into instalments with Tabby or Tamara.

Yes. If the battery is only discharged we jump start it and test it. If the test shows it will not hold charge, we tell you and you decide whether to replace it.

All of Dubai, Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs, and Sharjah. The service areas page lists every neighbourhood.

We take it with us and hand it to a licensed recycler. Used lead-acid batteries are hazardous waste and should never go in a normal bin.

About 12.6 volts at rest with the engine off. Below roughly 12.2 volts it is low on charge, and with the engine running you should see about 13.7 to 14.7 volts from the alternator.

Once a year from the second year, ideally in April or May before the heat peaks. Summer is when weak batteries fail.

Yes. The battery is judged with the engine off and the alternator with it running, so the two results point to different parts.

No. A car designed around AGM will wear out a flooded battery quickly, and the charging system is set up for AGM. Stop/start faults and early failure are the usual outcome.

Yes, once the engine is running the alternator supplies the car. The risk is the next start, so avoid switching off somewhere awkward until the battery has been recharged or tested.

Read the label on the battery. It will say AGM, VRLA or Absorbent Glass Mat. If you cannot reach the battery, send us the make, model and year or the VIN and we will confirm it.

Not by much. A premium battery of the correct type usually holds up better, but heat still limits every brand to roughly the same 2 to 3 year range. Correct specification and a healthy charging system make a bigger difference.

Yes. Undercharging leaves the battery flat and sulphated, and overcharging overheats it. That is why charging voltage is checked whenever a battery is replaced.

Yes. The service runs 24/7 and typical arrival is 20 to 35 minutes. At night the main delay is usually the gate, so let security know in advance.

Check the owner's handbook for your model before you do. Acting as a donor exposes the car's electronics to the same spikes, and some manufacturers advise against it on certain models.

A premium AGM battery in the correct size, most often from Varta or Bosch. The exact specification depends on the model, engine and year, and the technician confirms it from the battery label or the VIN.

Because the correct battery differs by car, engine and year, and a list would be wrong for many of them. A quote based on your actual car is quicker and accurate.

No. A flat battery contains the same lead and acid as a charged one. It is hazardous waste and belongs with a licensed recycler.