I've been stressing about my old Kia Rio 4's reliability in the cold, especially since it's 6 years old. Our old battery is showing its age, and I'm starting to think it's time to replace it. We've been putting it off, hoping to upgrade to a new car, but the rising prices in our area have put those plans on hold.
Last year, my husband had a tough time starting the car in the cold, but he managed to get it going after a few tries. This year, we decided it was time to replace the battery. We've had a portable jump starter on hand just in case, but a new battery is always a better bet.
We did some research and read reviews, but ultimately, we visited two local shops that specialize in batteries to get some advice. We were looking to spend around 12,000 rubles, but we didn't want to break the bank. The shop assistants showed us a few different options, all made in China, but one was a German-made model and another was a Japanese-made one. It was hard to tell which one was the best, so I dug deeper online and found some reviews on a car forum. In the end, we decided to go with the Moll Xtra Charge battery.
Moll Xtra Charge batteryThe Moll Xtra Charge battery comes in 9 different models, each with a different size and capacity. We ended up choosing the 64 обр (L2.0, 84064) model.
Before we made the purchase, the shop assistant came over to take a look at our old battery to make sure it was the right size.
Our old batterySo, after all the fine print, they gave us a discount on the new battery, factoring in the old one. They worked out the details, got the paperwork done, and explained the warranty. If any issues come up, we can just swing by and check out the new battery. Moll Xtra Charge BatteryI snapped some photos while they filled out the paperwork.
It's a standard battery with a black plastic casing. On the side, there's the brand name, and on top, there are protective covers for the terminals, along with a handle for easy battery transport.
Moll Xtra Charge BatteryOn top, you'll find information about the battery's voltage and capacity, along with the model number and barcode.
Moll Xtra Charge BatteryThey carefully removed our old battery, which we'll be taking in for recycling. On top, it was already showing signs of wear, with corrosion spots appearing. So, we replaced it just in time.
Our old batteryWhen installing the new battery, the technician applied a special red-colored lubricant to the terminals, spraying it on to prevent oxidation and corrosion on the battery contacts. Moll Xtra Charge BatteryIt was all set up and secured in just 5 minutes. Of course, like always, time slipped away, and the other settings on the dashboard panel got reset when we disconnected the battery cables. But we were able to set the clock, and the other settings automatically synced themselves.Moll Xtra Charge BatteryI've been using the car to test the battery, and it's been starting up quickly - even my husband was surprised at how fast it was starting up.
Over the past month, since installing the new battery, we haven't had any extreme cold snaps below -15 degrees Celsius. During this time, the car started up well, quickly, and every time.
Even when the cold weather got a bit worse two months later, there were no problems with the car. At -25 degrees Celsius, the car started up just fine.
However, when the temperature dropped below -32 degrees Celsius at night, the car would start up a bit more slowly - it would take two attempts.
Recently, we had the coldest weather yet. On Saturday, we went out and about, but by Sunday, the car had been sitting cold for a while. On Monday morning, my husband started the car up without warming it up first, and it started up, albeit a bit more slowly, but without any major issues.
The Moll Xtra Charge 64 Ah (L2.0, 84064) battery has only been working for two months, but we've already tested it in the most extreme cold. The car starts up well. At moderate cold snaps, it starts up right away, but at more extreme cold, it takes a bit longer, but it starts up, and the battery hasn't given us any problems.
When I was writing this review, I even managed to find the manufacturer's website - it's all in German, but with a translator, I was able to find some info on the battery's properties and benefits.
This battery is perfect for people who make frequent short trips, like running errands or going to the shops on weekends. It's got improved energy efficiency.
The battery is resistant to corrosion and can handle high vibrations while it's working.
All in all, it's a reliable battery - the kind that just works and you forget about it.
We're not exactly experts in electrics, and we don't really get into the technical nitty-gritty. For us, the most important thing is that it just works and doesn't cause any problems.
We'll put its performance to the test this summer when we start making longer trips out of town. If we encounter any issues or complaints, I'll be sure to update this review.
For now, we're happy with its performance - it's a decent battery, even if it is made in China. The manufacturer claims it's got German quality and origins.
Thanks for reading my review!