6 Myths About Automotive Batteries

6 Myths About Automotive Batteries

Busting Common Misconceptions and Highlighting Lento’s Reliable Solutions

Automotive batteries are essential for reliable vehicle operation, yet many misconceptions persist—about lifespan, maintenance, and performance. In this guide, we debunk six widespread myths and introduce Lento’s lineup of sealed maintenancefree (SMF/VRLA) and flooded tubular batteries. Whether you’re a fleet manager, auto parts distributor, or workshop owner, you’ll gain clarity on battery selection—and learn why partnering with Lento makes sense for quality, service life, and B2B growth.

1. Myth: “All Car Batteries Are the Same”

Fact: Batteries differ dramatically in design, materials, and performance.

• Flooded Tubular vs. SMF/VRLA:
  • Flooded Tubular (e.g., Lento TGS150-12, 150 Ah): Deepcycle capability, longer design life (6–7 years), robust for heavyuse applications like fleet vehicles and solar backup. Requires periodic water topups.
  • SMF/VRLA (e.g., Lento LSB-42-12, 42 Ah; up to LSB-200-12, 200 Ah): Sealed, maintenancefree, high cyclic endurance (2,100 cycles at 20 % DoD), ideal for startstop vehicles and indoor installations.

Each chemistry suits different needs—distributors should stock both to serve diverse customers.

2. Myth: “Higher Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) Always Means Better Performance”

Fact: CCA matters for cold starts—but reserve capacity (RC) and deepcycle life matter too.

• Cold Cranking Amps (CCA):
  Ensures engine starts in low temperatures. Lento SMF models deliver strong CCA even after long standbys.
• Reserve Capacity (RC):
  Measures how long a battery can power accessories if the alternator fails. Lento TGS series offers substantial RC thanks to thick tubular plates, keeping fleets moving.

A balanced spec sheet—CCA, RC, cycle life—wins more clients than CCA alone.

3. Myth: “MaintenanceFree Means No Service Ever”

Fact: “Maintenancefree” batteries minimize—but don’t eliminate—all checks.

• SMF/VRLA (LSB Series):
  • No watertopups needed.
  • Still recommend quarterly terminal inspections and voltage checks (13.5–13.62 V) to ensure optimal performance and warranty compliance.
• Flooded Tubular (TGS Series):
  • Requires distilled water every 3–6 months and annual equalization charging.
  • Lento’s lowantimony alloy reduces watering frequency compared to older designs.

Distributors can offer maintenancepackages or training—an upsell and service differentiator.

4. Myth: “Batteries Last Forever If Not Used”

Fact: Selfdischarge and sulfation degrade stored leadacid batteries over time.

• Shelf Life @27 °C:
  • SMF/VRLA: Up to 6 months with <1 % weekly selfdischarge.
  • TGS Tubular: Stored cells begin to crystallize and need conditioning after 3 months.
• Storage Advice:
  • Keep batteries fully charged and in a cool, dry place.
  • Lento’s AGM separators and corrosionresistant plates help preserve charge—but distributors should communicate proper storage best practices to avoid customer complaints.

5. Myth: “Only Premium Cars Need AGM Batteries”

Fact: AGM/SMF batteries benefit any application requiring deepcycle strength or frequent engine startstop.

• SMF Benefits for All Segments:
  • StartStop Vehicles: Rapid recharge and high cycle tolerance prevent midday breakdowns.
  • Commercial Fleets & Equipment: Vibration resistance and sealed construction excel in rough conditions.
  • Security & Telecom: Indoor UPS use with zero maintenance risk.

Stocking Lento LSB-150-12 (150 Ah) SMF batteries opens new markets beyond luxury cars—tractor installers, telecom integrators, and security system providers.

6. Myth: “A Cheaper Battery Always Saves Money”

Fact: Lowcost batteries often cut corners in plate thickness, alloy purity, and casing quality, leading to early failures and higher Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

• TCO Comparison:
  • Lento LSB-150-12 SMF (150 Ah): Unit price $200, minimal maintenance, 24month warranty, ~1,000 cycles @80 % DoD → 5Year TCO ≈ $225
  • Generic Flooded 150 Ah: Unit price $150, water & service costs $25/year, replacement every 4 years → 5Year TCO ≈ $275

Promoting TCO over upfront price helps distributors close highermargin sales.

7. Best Practices for Distributors & B2B Partners

1. Educate Customers: Host technical webinars on Lento’s specifications—cycle life, charge rates (6–8 hrs from 20 % to 90 % SoC), operating range (–10 °C to 50 °C).
2. Bundle Services: Offer installation training, maintenance contracts, and warranty extensions.
3. Local Stock & Fast Delivery: Critical in Syria’s remote regions—stock TGS150-12 and LSB-65-12 for midrange systems, plus LSB-200-12 for larger installations.
4. Marketing Support: Use Lento’s product sheets, highresolution images, and case studies (e.g., telecom tower uptime improved 30 % with Lento AGM).

8. Call to Action & Lead Capture

Become a Lento Distributor: Expand your portfolio with our full battery lineup.

Conclusion

By debunking these six myths, you can guide customers toward smarter automotive battery choices—reinforcing Lento’s reputation for quality and longevity. As a distributor, leveraging detailed product knowledge, TCO analysis, and structured B2B offerings will help you capture market share in Syria’s burgeoning solar and automotive sectors.

Partner with Lento—deliver genuine, highperformance batteries that last, and watch your B2B leads flourish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the difference between Lento’s SMF/VRLA and flooded tubular batteries?
   SMF/VRLA batteries (LSB series) use Absorbent Glass Mat technology, are sealed, require no watering, and provide up to 2,100 cycles at 20 % DoD. Flooded tubular batteries (TGS series) have thick tubular plates for deep discharge, need distilled water topups every 3–6 months, and deliver around 1,200 cycles at 80 % DoD.
2. How do I choose between higher CCA and reserve capacity?
   Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) ensure reliable engine starts, especially in cold weather or after long standby. Reserve Capacity (RC) indicates how long your battery can power accessories if the alternator fails. For fleets or solar backup, a balance—like Lento’s TGS15012 with strong CCA and high RC—is ideal.
3. Do “maintenancefree” SMF batteries need any service?
   While Lento SMF batteries require no water topups, you should still perform quarterly inspections: clean terminals, verify float voltage (13.5–13.62 V), and ensure adequate airflow around the battery to manage heat and maximize lifespan.
4. Can automotive batteries degrade while in storage?
   Yes. Even sealed batteries selfdischarge (~1 % per week). Lento SMF batteries have a shelf life of up to 6 months at 27 °C. Store them fully charged in a cool, dry place and top up charge every 3 months to prevent sulfation.
5. Are AGM/SMF batteries only for premium vehicles?
   No. AGM’s vibration resistance, sealed design, and deepcycle strength benefit all applications: startstop cars, security systems, telecom backup, and agricultural machinery. Lento’s LSB15012, for example, fits a wide range of B2B needs beyond luxury cars.
6. Why is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) more important than upfront price?
   A lowercost battery may require frequent replacements and more maintenance, raising longterm expenses. Lento’s SMF models, though slightly pricier upfront, offer lower maintenance costs and longer warranty coverage—resulting in a lower 5year TCO.
7. How does high ambient temperature affect battery life?
   For every 10 °C above 25 °C, cycle life can drop by approximately 20–30 %. In Syria’s 40 °C summers, using Lento batteries in shaded or ventilated enclosures can recover up to 15 % of lost cycle life.
8. What support do Lento distributors receive?
   Distributors gain exclusive margins, comarketing funds, technical training, priority logistics, and access to detailed product catalogs and case studies—equipping you to win B2B clients in automotive, solar, telecom, and industrial markets.