The manufacturer does not always manage to monitor the quality of each unit of its product. In case of such technical control errors, there is a guarantee, thanks to which the defective item can be exchanged for a similar one, only without structural defects. What is the warranty case when it comes to car batteries? The warranty for the battery applies, according to GOST 2008, to the following factory faults of the battery:

Lack of sealing of the lid

If there is no visible damage on the cover, but wet dirt is visible on the sides, at the junction with the housings, it is worth checking whether the battery cover is securely fastened. To do this, you need to tilt the battery 45 degrees. Electrolyte is leaking, which means the battery is defective and must be replaced.

Lack of sealing of cans

Each battery consists of 6 two-volt cells, which are separated from each other by sealed plastic plates. If the walls of two separate cans from the factory leak for some reason, they essentially form a single large can. The voltage at the terminals drops to 10 V and the battery “does not pull.”

Short circuit

A battery short-circuit can also occur due to long-term service, when the active mass falls off and the separator is damaged. However, down conductors can be short-circuited during assembly. Then the voltage at the battery terminals will be more than 1.5 V lower than specified. You can find out that one of the cans is closed using a hydrometer. The electrolyte density in it will be less than 1.15. If you put a battery with a short circuit on charge, active gas evolution will begin in the defective bank.

Open circuit

The battery contains six cells. If electrical conductivity between one of the pairs disappears, a “break” occurs - a sharp increase in resistance in the circuit under load. Simply put, a battery with a break, when checked with a voltmeter, will show normal voltage at the terminals. But the load fork will bring the defect to clean water. A load of 0.2 A sharply reduces the voltage in the network (less than 5 V).

As we see, sellers are not lying at all when they say that warranty helps replace defective goods. And, alas, damage to goods due to negligence and/or ignorance does not apply to marriage. So, the short service life of a product, especially one that depends on the serviceability of the vehicle systems and the directness of the driver’s hands, is not always a characteristic of its quality.

Therefore, first of all, you need to honestly and without emotion determine whether your battery really falls under the warranty case. If not, then don’t even try: unscrupulous sellers may begin to “dynamize” a real defective case, but definitely no one will accept a battery that was split due to the negligence of the buyer.

If you are convinced that the battery was faulty from the very moment of purchase, proceed according to this plan:

If you are still not sure whether the battery was damaged during use or was defective from the factory, it can be diagnosed at a large dealership. It is important that the center has the widest possible range of batteries from different brands, in which case its employees will not be interested in deceiving you and passing it off as a damaged item. It is best to buy a battery at the same dealership in order to achieve fairness under the warranty. Official dealers are willing to accommodate the client halfway, given that dealer agreements most often stipulate that the cost of replacing defective batteries is borne by the manufacturer. However, you should not personally bring a ruined battery to official dealers: representatives of experienced companies will easily reveal the deception and look at you, to put it mildly, with disapproval.
If you are completely confident in the marriage, and the seller continues to “go into unconsciousness,” you should make a formal complaint. The report must indicate the transparency of the electrolyte, its density in each jar, the voltage at the terminals and the date of production of the battery. It is necessary that the expert opinion be issued by a competing organization. It is important that the dealer you entrust to carry out the examination does not work together with your offenders. Often, the same Russian battery brands on the shelves talk about such implicit partnerships.

If the result does not appear within a week, you must file a claim in the magistrate’s court. Representatives of the store that sold you the defective product will try to hush up the matter if the battery is indeed subject to replacement under warranty. After all, if paperwork begins, the negligent dealer will have to pay a state fee and a fine for failure to resolve the dispute out of court.

When purchasing a battery complete with a car or separately, the buyer has the right to count on a warranty. A complex device is expensive, the energy replenishment processes are specific, and it is difficult to determine why the energy source failed. Therefore, the responsibility for the correct high-quality assembly of the device lies with the manufacturer; he provides a guarantee on the battery. The owner is responsible for violation of the operating conditions. In controversial cases, an examination is required.

When purchasing a battery, we receive guarantees from the manufacturer for technical support by signing the terms in the warranty card. Typically, the plant is responsible for its products for 6 months or a year. But it happens that the warranty period for car batteries extends to 3-4 years, and the contract is accompanied by additional conditions that you should familiarize yourself with. Typically, this is periodic battery maintenance at an authorized service center.

The manufacturer's battery warranty includes defects that are classified as poor workmanship. There are obvious reasons that are identified in the first 6 months from the start of using a car battery.

An open circuit is a poor-quality connection of the cans into the battery. If there is a lack of penetration at the connection points, the resistance increases, the contacts oxidize, and breakage occurs. The car battery fails and is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Short circuit - when assembling the plates, the distance between the plates or the integrity of the separator is broken. As a result of the breakdown, the bank does not work. The battery does not receive 2.1 V of charge. The electrolyte in the jar is boiling, its density in the defective jar is low. The case is guaranteed, but only in the first months of operation. In the future, it will be difficult to prove that you did not drive over potholes and did not puncture the separator.
The destruction of the case is not the fault of the owner when the lid is unsoldered and electrolyte leaks. The crack may not be visible, but the strong smell of acid can be felt under the hood. That the damage was not the fault of the user still needs to be proven.
It is even more difficult, and often impossible, to prove that the rupture of some electrodes in the battery case occurred due to the fault of the manufacturer, poorly formed active mass falls off the plates, the low density of the filled electrolyte does not allow the use of a car battery in winter and it froze. Only an examination can give an opinion whether a given case falls under guarantees

Does the battery warranty apply when purchasing a car?

The battery in a vehicle is considered an accessory. Therefore, the warranty for the battery of a new car is specified separately in the instructions. It happens when, during the warranty period, a malfunction of the generator is discovered, leading to the destruction of the battery. If a cause-and-effect relationship is proven, both devices are replaced.

Different companies set the warranty period independently. Korean manufacturers provide a warranty for the battery for 6-12 months, some for years. But here, too, the warranty only applies to manufacturing defects. What kind of warranty the battery has is not that important. All factory assembly defects will be revealed in a short time; experts attribute hidden defects to a violation of operation.

Warranty repairs of batteries must be carried out at an authorized service center. But due to the current circumstances, this service is unprofitable for either the workshop or the manufacturer. Proving that the case is not covered by warranty and taking money for repairs is the policy of the service center.

By law, warranty repairs may be denied in cases where the battery:

imported into the country under a “gray” scheme;
has signs of opening or self-repair;
there are traces of hidden penetration known from vendors (manufacturers) who work with an authorized center.

Of course, a fully completed warranty card indicating the exact date of purchase of the battery is presented to the workshop. From this date it is calculated how long the warranty applies.

How to return a battery to the seller under warranty

By law, all trade transactions, warranty on batteries, interaction with the seller are subject to the Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, Articles 18 and 29. The law allows you to return a technically complex product in good condition and with intact packaging within 2 weeks without explanation.

Malfunctions are detected in the warranty workshop specified in the warranty card upon presentation of a cash receipt or sales receipt. The conclusion of specialists that the fault is due to the manufacturer allows you to exchange the battery for a new one.

Forced battery replacement under warranty

If you are sure that the battery does not work due to a manufacturing defect, and the conclusion was not issued in your favor, write a claim to the dealer. In this case, it is necessary that the copy of the document be stamped with its registration in the documentary database, indicating the date of circulation. The same document is prepared for the court, sent to the manufacturer and to the website. If you are not guilty, an independent examination will prove it.

Usually, it is not profitable for the guilty party to pay legal costs, pay for an independent examination, or receive an anti-rating, and the issue is resolved pre-trial.

All batteries are legally covered by a warranty, just like complex equipment. But it is important to initially buy a good battery that will not cause problems. You need to read user reviews and purchase a rating model from well-known manufacturers.

When choosing a battery, pay attention to its release date. If the device is more than a year old, it was stored in unknown conditions, without recharging, it is better to refuse the purchase. In hybrid and low-maintenance batteries, you can check the strength of the electrolyte and its level. In maintenance-free devices, everything is hidden, only the NRC charge can be measured.

Treat the battery with care, even abrasion of the label, scratches and small dents of the case can lead to a conclusion that the battery has been misused and will void the warranty under the law.

Video

Listen to useful advice from a specialist in the video

Car enthusiasts and professionals are one of the categories of buyers who need to know all the intricacies of returning what they purchased. Due to the fact that often parts for a car are very expensive and if they need to be replaced, the buyer, as they say, costs a pretty penny, if possible reasons for the return arise, he wants to get his money back. However, stores are refusing more and more often, and it seems to you that without proper reasons.

In what cases you can protect your rights and return the purchased battery is described by the Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”. It states that when making a transaction for the purchase and sale of goods, consumer rights are not violated, and lists in which cases it is possible to write a return application.

Is it possible to return within 14 days

We are all familiar with this period - the first two weeks after purchase. You've heard this sentence countless times in clothing stores, toy stores, etc. When the need arises to take something back to the store and get your money, it is this deadline that comes to mind first.

But it applies only to certain categories of goods. In fact, there is a whole list of products that cannot be returned under any circumstances if they are of high quality and you simply do not like them. This list is hidden in Government Decree No. 55 of January 19, 1998. Among other things, it states that technically complex goods cannot be exchanged or returned.

What does it mean? A technically complex product is a product that, due to its assembly and specific technical data, is recognized by the legislation of the Russian Federation as particularly complex. Special rules have been established for this group of things, gadgets, units and spare parts.

The fourteen-day rule does not apply to technically complex devices - be it mobile phones or car batteries. In addition, it considers only serviceable units - those that have no flaws, damage, manufacturing defects, etc. So, It is impossible to return the battery to the store if it does not fit (sometimes they miscalculated). Moreover, they will refuse even your request to exchange it for a suitable part.

That's why, You can return an expensive part of your iron horse if:

a defect or flaw was discovered that was not your fault
The product purchased has a warranty.

It is impossible to return batteries of proper quality due to their technically complex design.

How to return

If you purchased a battery with a warranty, a return is possible if a defect or defect is identified that can be considered factory. Most often, a short circuit or open circuit occurs due to the fault of the manufacturer - in this case, it is easiest to prove a manufacturing defect in the battery, since it is undeniable.

However, if the cause of the malfunction is improper operation - that is, you caused the breakdown - the store will not even listen to you, and inspections may result in a loss of money.

Always use the battery as recommended by the manufacturer.

If you are sure that the breakdown was not due to your actions and any examination will confirm this, You can ask the seller:

replace the battery with a good one
carry out repairs at the store’s expense to eliminate defects
give money for buying a low-quality part.

The store does not have the right to return your money to you if it can select a replacement for the faulty battery (the same model, without a defect, or another model with a recalculation of the cost). That is, if there are available substitutes for your device, you may be refused a refund and offered an exchange.

Before you go to the dealer who sold you the faulty device, you need to make sure of the following:

The warranty period has not yet expired (this is confirmed by the warranty card)
you have proof of where, how and when you bought the item - a receipt, sales receipt, bank card history or witnesses.

As a rule, the warranty on batteries is valid for the first year, some large sellers extend this period to two years. Also, two years is the limit established by law if the warranty period is not specified in the documents by the manufacturer or seller.

Don't forget to take your passport(general civil) to fill out a claim.

Who can raise a claim:

to the seller-organization or authorized individual entrepreneur (Clause 2 of Article 18 of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”)
to the importer or manufacturer of the battery (clause 3 of article 18 of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”).

When writing a complaint, you must clearly understand the reason for the return and your requirements from the store. All this must be stated in writing, it is also advisable to refer to certain points of the law and your guarantee - this way there is a greater chance that they will not try to deceive you as a person who does not understand their rights.

Regardless of what exactly you require from the seller, importer or manufacturer, the battery will be checked - given to an expert to determine why the malfunction occurred. A manufacturing defect means that your requirements will be met, but other reasons, including wear and tear, will lead to a refusal to exchange or return. Even repairs in this case will have to be carried out at your own expense, since the warranty rules will no longer apply to the battery.

These conditions apply not only to batteries purchased separately, but also to those that are components when purchasing the entire vehicle.

Examination - what will be checked

Battery check includes the following:

the expert checks the guarantee - product data, their compliance with the label on the product (therefore, the label should be saved)
an expert checks mechanical damage – if any
electromotive force is measured
The electrolyte is being tested: density, level, temperature
the electrolyte is checked again: transparency in each jar of the device
Check the transparency of the ventilation holes to see if there is any blockage
in the absence of traffic jams, the EMF density level is measured using an indicator (in each bank separately)
a decision is made to open the battery or charge it
determines whether there is overheating after charging
the battery is opened to identify additional defects (in this case, the examination period will be 14 days).

If a return is refused

In case you purchased the battery separately from a store, you may encounter unexpected failure. As a rule, only official car dealers value their name and customers enough to carry out all the necessary fault checks and allow an exchange or refund to the buyer. When you return a separately purchased car battery, be prepared - the store will do everything to convict you of improper use of the part.

Therefore, if this happens, and you want to return the money and also get even with the store, order an independent examination and do not skimp on paying for it. If the result is positive in your favor, you will have every reason to sue the seller and then receive compensation for all your expenses. Before going to court, you should write a complaint to the store director, because they still try not to bring small points to court, especially if there is evidence that the buyer is not to blame for the breakdown.

If your claim is not accepted, request a written refusal. Also, it will be useful if the claim was accepted but rejected, although you attached evidence of your innocence.

So, step by step what you need to do:

The seller does not agree to return the money or exchange the battery - write a claim in duplicate;
Let the seller sign on your copy of the claim that it has been accepted;
Waiting for the battery to be checked - no more than 10 days, at the expense of the seller (you have the right to be present);
If you do not agree with the test results, submit the battery for an independent examination;
Submit a claim again if a manufacturing defect is identified;
If the seller refuses to satisfy your demands even after that, file a statement of claim and go to court.

Also, sometimes a precedent arises - the store simply refuses to comply with the court decision. In this case, you can:

contact the bailiffs - they are the ones in charge of the execution of court decisions
send the document on compulsory execution to the bank where the store or seller has accounts.

If you managed to receive money without going to trial

return period – no more than 10 days from the date of submission of your requirements
the seller cannot reduce the refund amount, even if the price of the product has decreased
if the price of the battery has increased since the date of purchase, it is the last amount that must be paid
if you bought a battery on credit, you can also demand a refund of interest from the seller

Remember! All this is possible only in the case of a proven defect or defect in the device.

Go back to Warranty case

The warranty period for a car battery assumes the absence of manufacturing defects during the period indicated in the warranty card. Identification and confirmation of a battery defect, especially after 10-12 months of operation, should be carried out in specialized centers by opening it.

When buying a battery, you need to make sure you have a warranty card and a cash or sales receipt. If a warranty case occurs, you need to charge the battery and submit it for examination to the warranty service center.

Battery failure occurs in two cases: a manufacturing defect and an operational defect.

The warranty only applies to manufacturing defects that the manufacturer could not identify during production. By issuing a warranty card, the manufacturer insures the quality of its products. According to statistics, manufacturing defects are detected in the first six months of operation.

If the connecting bridges between the banks, as well as the pole terminals, are welded poorly, a break in the discharge circuit occurs inside the battery, which does not allow it to be used as an energy source. During the warranty period, such a battery must be replaced.

A short circuit in one of the cans reduces the voltage by 1.5-2.0 V, but the battery can remain operational. A short circuit between the plates occurs at low currents and voltages of one block (can), and the discharge process occurs in a liquid (electrolyte).

A “shorted” can loses its ability to give off energy (as well as receive it when charging), and “boils away” when charging during operation. Filled with low-density electrolyte, it becomes a “ballast” in the battery. Thus, a short circuit inside the starter battery leads to a decrease in its potential energy stored in the active mass of the plates and electrolyte during charging.

As practice shows, if such defects are present, the battery cannot operate for more than a year.

Batteries considered defective (for production reasons) may include batteries whose electrodes contain unformed active mass (during battery formation). They have low starting characteristics and provide a small number of attempts to start the engine (2-3). The battery boils intensely when charging and discharging.

The battery life depends 90% on the driving mode of the car. Don't expect the battery to last long if you have a large engine and short mileage. By starting the engine, you discharge your battery. Not receiving enough charge from the generator (during short runs the battery does not have time to fully charge), the battery begins to desulfate, loses its capacity, and is subjected to deep discharges, which leads to its rapid death.

The same thing happens when the battery operates in taxi mode. The manufacturer cannot control the mileage, the battery charge level during its operation and the general condition of the car. Therefore, the warranty is given only for manufacturing defects, and not for the service life of the battery. Those. Failure of the battery in these cases is a defect resulting from improper operation. And the manufacturer is not responsible for it.

Also, the warranty does not apply to:

— mechanical damage resulting from operation, improper storage or transportation of the battery;

— incorrect installation and connection;

— when making design changes not provided for by the manufacturer.

Be careful. In a warranty workshop, a common reason for refusing to replace a defective battery is the presence of scratches and small dents on the case and pole terminals of the battery. When describing the appearance of the battery, they write about the presence of traces of mechanical damage. Although, according to the instructions, the driver is obliged to regularly check the condition of the battery (recharge to full capacity). On many vehicles this cannot be done without removing the battery from the vehicle.

And during any work, including removal and installation, “traces” almost always remain, which should be qualified in the description as “traces of operation and maintenance.” “Mechanical damage” should include only those damages that can affect the technical characteristics of the battery: leakage of electrolyte, deformation of the electrodes, damage to the separators.

Legal warranty for car batteries

Battery warranty.

(myths and reality)

Long warranty periods, what is it and why is a warranty needed at all?

On all batteries, manufacturers write a warranty period of 12, 24, 36, 40 months, which means a warranty period and nothing more!

Battery replacement in stores occurs only if there is a manufacturing defect, and the battery cannot be replaced if it has exhausted its service life before the expiration of the warranty period.

The resource depends on many parameters: climatic conditions, car brand, number of kilometers accumulated, the operation of the generator and you personally.

What is a factory warranty?

1. Disruption of internal connections due to a lack of solder:

— breakage of jumpers between the plates;
— interruption of connections between banks;
— unsoldered borns (i.e. broken terminals)

2. Short circuit of the plates, in the absence of shedding and warping of the plates in the jar.

A warranty card is filled out for each battery upon sale. This coupon assumes that the battery may have a manufacturing defect that was not detected at the end of its production cycle. And as soon as this manufacturing defect is found (with the help of specialists from the warranty point), this battery is required to be replaced within a specified period.

The warranty is not established for other characteristics of the battery (calendar resource and vehicle mileage, wear rate, nature of the decline in performance and decrease in its performance, etc.), since it is impossible to control the mode of operation of the vehicle and maintenance of the battery.

Experts distinguish manufacturing defects (related to the manufacture of the battery) from operational ones, and a guarantee is given only for the first of them. Consequently, the warranty card only applies to a battery with a manufacturing defect that was not detected at the control site during its production. There are very few such batteries on sale. All “healthy from birth” batteries do not need a warranty card!

But, if you:

- the color of the electrolyte has changed,
— low electrolyte level (plates are exposed),
— electrolyte density does not correspond to the norm,
— there are mechanical damages,
- the electrical equipment is faulty, then the plant does not accept such batteries for exchange.

Here you can only rely on the loyalty of the seller. Because Competition in the market is high, some companies, in the presence of such defects, meet customers halfway and, in order to preserve their image, offer various compensation options, including exchanging a failed battery for a new one. At the same time, companies are trying to reduce their risks and costs, for which they offer various free or paid services for servicing and maintaining batteries throughout the entire warranty period.

Which battery lasts the longest?

The answer is simple - buy batteries where you will be provided with:

Replacing a car battery under warranty is the period extended to a new one?

Correct selection of batteries for a specific car.
2. Regular diagnostics and maintenance of the battery.

The concept of “diagnostics and maintenance” includes:

l. Battery status diagnostics

- checking the load capacity of the battery
- checking the starting current of the battery
— measurement of electrolyte density in each jar
- checking the battery for self-discharge

2. Battery maintenance

— charging a discharged battery (cycling if necessary)
- topping up with distilled water
— equalization of electrolyte density using the electrical method
— desulfation of plates if necessary
- cleaning batteries from dust and dirt, which eliminates current leakage through the battery body
— cleaning the terminals from oxides, which improves contact and prevents loss of starter characteristics
— checking and cleaning the ventilation holes of the plugs, which reduces the risk of rupture of the housing from excess pressure due to excessive gas release
— diagnostics of vehicle electrical equipment

Features of the national warranty for a car battery

The modern battery market is saturated with models from various companies in a variety of price segments. Moreover, the quality of the batteries and the technologies implemented in them are practically the same. Most models of various brands are made on similar equipment and it is quite difficult to surprise the buyer. In such conditions, manufacturers resort to various tricks to attract buyers to their product. One of these tricks is providing a guarantee. Nowadays you can find car batteries with a warranty of 2, 3 and even 4 years. But is it worth believing these promises and what does this guarantee actually provide? Let’s try to understand this material.

The meaning of a warranty for any goods or services is the manufacturer’s guarantee for its product or services. The manufacturer takes responsibility for the fact that the offered product complies with the stated standards and regulatory requirements. If it does not meet the declared characteristics, the manufacturer undertakes to replace the product or restore all regulated parameters.

A guarantee is a certain incentive to purchase a particular product. After all, when choosing a product, any person wants the product to meet the stated parameters. For our money, we want to get goods or services that correspond to our idea of quality. The warranty, including for car batteries, is designed to give confidence in the decent quality of the products offered.

However, this point should be immediately clear. In the case of car batteries, the warranty is given specifically for the detection of defects during production. Only in this case, after the examination, can you count on a replacement battery or a refund. The warranty does not cover battery wear and tear. If, with a 2-year warranty, you were able to “roll out” the battery in 1 year, then no one will exchange it under warranty. Sellers and the manufacturer will simply refer to battery wear. This is important because most conflicts with battery sellers occur on this basis.

What does the law say?

Conflict situations when returning car batteries under warranty arise very often. The buyer, seller and manufacturer are human and do not want to miss out on their benefits. Therefore, when resolving conflicts, consumers have to defend their rights by turning to Russian legislation. Specifically, to the federal law on consumer protection. It makes no sense to quote the text of this law here. It will be more interesting for the reader to know some excerpts with explanations. In particular, article 18 of this law is interesting, which establishes the rights of the consumer in the event of detection of product defects.

If such defects in a car battery are detected (unless, of course, they were previously declared by the seller), the buyer has the right to the following actions:

Demand that the product be replaced with a similar one;
Demand replacement with a product of a different model, taking into account the amount already paid;
Demand free elimination of product defects;
May refuse the purchase and demand a refund of the amount paid. In this case, the buyer is obliged to return the defective product to the seller.

Separately, it is worth noting that the buyer may demand compensation for losses that were caused to him as a result of the sale of low-quality goods. The deadlines for compensation of losses are established by the same federal law.

The fifth paragraph of Article 18 is of interest. In particular, it states that a refusal to satisfy the buyer’s demands cannot be caused by his lack of a receipt or other documents confirming the fact of purchasing the goods. The manufacturer, dealers and authorized services must accept the defective product and have it checked for product quality. At the same time, the law gives the consumer the right to participate in this verification.

If a disagreement arises regarding the quality of a product, the manufacturer or seller is obliged to organize an examination at their own expense. But, if the defects arise for reasons for which the manufacturer is not responsible, the costs of the examination must be paid by the buyer.

Warranty features for batteries

As already mentioned, the manufacturer provides a guarantee only for manufacturing defects that were missed at the inspection stage. All such defects in car batteries are detected within the first six months of operation. Taking into account the fact that the buyer did not immediately begin to use the car battery, this period can be extended to a year. This is the maximum for identifying manufacturing defects. In our opinion, the warranty on a car battery should be 1 year so as not to mislead people.

But manufacturing companies use a variety of tricks and tricks to sell their batteries. It is now common practice to offer a 2 or 3 year warranty. Some companies, trying to stand out, even offer 4 years. But this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. No one really provides warranty obligations for such a period. Even if the battery fails in the third year of operation with a 3-year warranty, you will be refused to fulfill your obligations. After the examination, they will simply say that the battery is worn out or was used incorrectly. After all, the warranty for a car battery only implies the absence of manufacturing defects during the stated period.

Battery failure due to reasons not related to a manufacturing defect is not covered by the warranty. And all these reasons are hidden under the phrases “battery wear” and “improper operation.” Many buyers of car batteries do not even know anything about these reasons and the proper use of batteries. They naively believe that when a warranty is announced for a period of 3 years, the manufacturer is obliged to replace the battery with it during this time, regardless of the cause of the breakdown. But this is not true at all.

If the battery fails due to natural wear and tear, then it will be waiting for you.

Battery defects covered by warranty

So, what defects in a car battery are covered by the warranty? Mainly these are open circuits and short circuits. Let's take a closer look at them.

Circuit break. The plates in the battery banks are assembled into blocks, which are secured by bridges. A block in a water bank is connected to a block of opposite polarity in another bank using special connections. The outer bridges are connected to the terminals on the battery cover. In production, it happens that joints become coated with oxide and during welding do not fuse into a single whole, but only set slightly. During operation, a large starter current passes through these connections. This is where heating and further oxidation occurs. As a result, after some time a break occurs. As a rule, this defect makes itself felt during the first six months of operation. In this case, the battery completely fails and this situation is definitely covered by the warranty.

Short circuit. This is another case that falls under warranty. On a production line, when assembling batteries, a block of plates may fall unevenly and the plate with a sharp angle will tear the adjacent separator. A short circuit occurs where the damage occurs. This manufacturing defect can also occur for other reasons. For example, some manufacturers save on separators between the plates and instead of a margin of 5 millimeters, make it 2 mm. In this case, the slightest displacement during assembly leads to a short circuit. Incorrect adjustment of equipment during the manufacture of an envelope separator can lead to the same consequences.

A short circuit is a manufacturing defect. It should appear almost immediately after the start of operation and is covered by the warranty. In this case, the battery does not die completely, but its starting power is significantly reduced. A short circuit in a jar can be determined by the low density of the electrolyte in it. During the charging process of a car battery, the density of the electrolyte in the short-circuited bank does not increase or increases very slowly. When the battery is discharged by starting current, the electrolyte in this bank actively boils. After the examination, the manufacturer is obliged to replace such a battery under warranty. Although cunning manufacturers and sellers may well claim that the envelope was punctured as a result of vibration due to your fault due to driving on bad roads.

You can name a number of less common manufacturing defects that are covered by the warranty. For example, unformed active mass or breaks in some electrodes in the blocks from the bridge. With such defects, the car battery continues to work, but loses its starting power. In theory, all this is covered under warranty. But again, here the manufacturer can simply make a verdict about improper operation of the car battery. And it will be quite difficult for a non-specialist in this field to understand the fairness of such a decision. Factory defects can also include leakage of electrolyte through the connections of the battery case. Of course, there should be no mechanical damage to the battery. Then this case falls under warranty.

Cases when the battery is not covered by warranty

All manufacturers stipulate in advance the conditions under which they will not accept defective car batteries under warranty. Unfortunately, this is not regulated by law, but only by internal documents of certain companies. So, you can find out the specific conditions for delivery under warranty from the battery manufacturer. But we can outline the main points when a car battery is not covered by a warranty:

If the warranty card (invoice of the selling company) is missing or damaged;
Battery explosion when the electrical circuit is intact;
Presentation of the battery for warranty without electrolyte;
Violated ;
Mechanical damage and melting;
The color of the electrolyte is steel-gray or brown;
The voltage at the battery terminals is less than 12 volts;
Operating a car battery in violation of the instructions;
The voltage in the vehicle's on-board network does not correspond to the permissible voltage or the electrical equipment is faulty;
Using the battery for purposes other than its intended purpose;
Carrying out unqualified maintenance;
The battery was stored and used poorly charged;
Low electrolyte density due to battery discharge;
Freezing of the electrolyte due to low density, which is caused by low charge.

As you can see, there are situations when it is impossible to objectively determine why the breakdown occurred. For example, the electrolyte has frozen. If it freezes due to low battery charge, that’s one thing. What if it was filled with such density? Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see the sale of new batteries, which in a charged state have an electrolyte density of 1.18-1.2 g/cubic meter. cm. Let's say you bought it in the warm season. Everything was fine until the cold weather set in and the electrolyte froze. And the manufacturer will state that your battery was used when it was discharged. It turns out that you need to check the density of the electrolyte when purchasing in a store?