Criteria for choosing a new battery for Lada Kalina

To start the engine, it must rotate intensively. It is carried out using a starter, which is powered by a battery. It is she who transmits to him the necessary electricity to start the engine. The battery is the source of power supply for all elements of the car, so the battery is the most important component, without which it is impossible to operate the car.

Characteristics of the standard Kalina battery

The manufacturer installs a domestically produced Akom brand battery under the hood of the Lada Kalina. Owners of Kalina, Kalina 2, Grants, Priora and other AvtoVAZ models who bought their cars with this power source complain about its poor quality. There have been cases when batteries were replaced after just a couple of months under warranty.

The nominal capacity of the Akom battery is 55 A/h, and the starting current is 425 Amperes. These are the minimum acceptable values, and using a battery with lower characteristics is not advisable.

The standard battery is the most common, lead type, filled with acid. The temperature range allowing normal use is from +45°C to -40°C.

Why you shouldn't save money when buying a battery

The cost of good batteries varies from 3,500 rubles. As a rule, cheaper models are short-lived and difficult to start in cold weather.

The advantages of good batteries are as follows:

• trouble-free starting of the car in cold weather and in extremely hot weather;
• maintaining the correct operation of electrical equipment installed in the machine;
• bright illumination of all icons on the dashboard (if the battery light is dim, it is worth checking its state of charge);
• constant operation of the on-board computer.

All this information will help you choose a reliable battery that will last for many years. If the battery on Kalina 2 catches fire , this is a reason to think about replacing it. Before purchasing, you can watch a video on this topic. And remember - you shouldn’t save money on such an important device, because “the miser pays twice.”

When is it time to change the battery and why?

Owners of Lada Kalina are well aware that replacing the battery is necessary after three to four years of active use. It all depends on various factors, for example, on the quality of the battery, on the energy consumption of the vehicle’s on-board network. But not everyone knows by what signs one can determine that it is time to think about a new battery for the Lada Kalina, because the specified period is determined conditionally. For this reason, everyone should understand when to change the battery to avoid problems associated with the inability to start the engine. Among the main signs indicating the need to replace the battery:

1. The engine starts with difficulty not only in winter, but also in summer. This means that the power supply cannot hold a charge.
2. The indicator lamp for the need to charge the battery lights up on the instrument panel. The on-board computer, if available, can also signal this.
3. After a long trip (more than 15 km), a measurement with a multimeter shows insufficient charge. The device must be fully charged from the generator, if the latter is working.
4. Once fully charged, the density measurement shows less than 1:25 Gm/cm. You can try to level the indicator with a corrective electrolyte; if this does not help, it is better to replace the battery.
5. The electrolyte has darkened. This occurs due to the destruction of the lead plates. The use of such a battery is prohibited as it may cause an explosion.
6. If the battery emits an unpleasant smell of putrefactive decomposition.
7. You can turn on the radio for an hour with the engine off. If after this the engine starts with difficulty, this means that the battery is draining too quickly and it’s time to change it.
8. If the battery lasts more than four years, then it's time to buy a new one.

If any of these symptoms occur, you may need to purchase a new power supply for your vehicle soon.

In some cases, you can extend the battery life by using corrective electrolyte and additional charging.

Budget models

If your budget is very limited or you simply do not want to spend a lot or almost a lot of money on a battery, then we are ready to advise you on very good batteries in a low price category. But already in 3-4 years of operation, there is a high probability that soon the Lada Kalina

will be on
.
The purchase of such a source will be justified if the car is planned to be sold, exchanged, or used for purposes other than independent driving in the near future.

The peculiarity of these batteries lies primarily in the price. As for the technology, they are clearly outdated, but this does not mean that you are buying an absolutely antediluvian thing. No, these batteries are quite modern, it’s just that their production process is somewhat cheaper than when producing higher quality ones.

You are all thinking about which battery to buy for Lad Kalina, then pay your attention to the following models:

Manufacturer (country)	Marking	Capacity, Ah	Cold start current, A	Guarantee	Cost, rub.
Tyumen (Russia)	Standard 6CT-60 L+	60	520	2 years	2200 RUR
Smart Element (Russia)	6ST-60.1 VL3	60	480	6 months	2700 RUR
Kursky (Russia)	6ST-60 N	60	450	1 year	2800 RUR

By choosing from the batteries presented in the list, you can also select the best one. Kursky can be safely included among these. This source is made using the latest technologies, they allow you to achieve high capacity values, but take into account the inrush current during a cold start. While saving not so much money compared to the original battery, you will get a less powerful source, which, perhaps, at the first frost will reduce its capacity. This usually happens due to improper use and improper care.

If all the same after replacing with Lada Kalina

battery
light comes on then most likely you have an electrical problem. It will be fixed for you by specialists from our partner auto center quickly and efficiently. We carry out diagnostics of the battery on the Lada Kalina ourselves in any of our stores, the diagnostic service is free.

How to choose a battery for Lada Kalina

The issue of choosing a replacement for an old battery must be approached responsibly. There are several important criteria, each of which is worth considering in detail.

Brand

Western countries use much more advanced technologies in the production of batteries. They even check in a completely different way. In our country, the charge is tested with a load fork, with the help of which the load is applied for 10 seconds, and the charge should not fall below 9 V. The European test involves 30 seconds of load with the same minimum threshold of the “drawdown” voltage. As a result, Russian batteries are inferior in quality to their foreign counterparts. It cannot be said that there are no brands on our market that are not inferior in quality to European ones, but there are not many of them. And you shouldn’t focus only on a popular brand; characteristics and compliance with the required parameters are much more important.

Date of manufacture

Proper storage of batteries is important. If the charging rules were violated, or the devices were in aggressive conditions of unacceptable temperatures, then their characteristics will be distorted even before they are purchased and installed under the hood. The best option is that the device was manufactured no more than four months ago. You should be very careful when buying a battery that has been stored for a year or more. Checking with a load fork is mandatory.

Capacity

Capacity selection is a broad topic and there is a lot of controversy surrounding it. But it all comes down to the fact that you need to choose a battery with a capacity no lower than the factory one. More is possible, but not less. In everything you need to know when to stop and understand that a battery with a large capacity simply will not fit in its rightful place due to its increased size.

Starting current

This parameter is indicated directly on the battery. It is not recommended to buy a battery with a starting current lower than the minimum declared for the Lada Kalina. The same amount or more is allowed. At subzero temperatures, the battery can lose up to 40% of its charge, and insufficient starting current may not cope with the difficulty of starting a frozen engine. In this matter, you need to find a middle ground, since options with a high starting current are quite expensive.

Polarity

The battery can be with direct or reverse polarity. This means that the terminals can be in opposite places. It is worth considering this when choosing a device. The cost of models with reverse polarity is somewhat lower, but installing them on Kalina, where direct polarity is provided, will not be easy.

Load fork test

Mandatory procedure before purchase. Usually, sellers themselves, without unnecessary requests, perform a load fork test in front of the buyer. To do this, voltage is applied to the battery for at least 10 seconds. The battery charge during this time should not drop to less than 9 V, otherwise it is not worth purchasing the device.

Guarantee

If a manufacturer gives a guarantee for its product for up to 5 years of operation, this indicates reliability and high quality. But the price tag for such batteries is unreasonably high. The optimal warranty period at an affordable price is from two to three years. These are honest numbers that correspond to the service life of the battery. If the warranty is only for a year, this is a reason to think about it. A short warranty period is given for a reason; it is not recommended to buy such products.

Let's sum it up

It is not easy to find the optimal battery for all characteristics. You can give preference to the highest quality and most expensive European or American batteries, but the Kalina car is one of the simplest representatives of the modern line of the domestic manufacturer. Therefore, this machine does not require any additional means or expensive types of equipment. For Kalina, you can easily buy an inexpensive domestic battery and get fairly high quality equipment operation in the most difficult conditions.

If you expect that a car with a battery twice as expensive as a domestic one will drive better, then you should immediately renounce the expensive purchase. Kalina is a budget domestic vehicle that requires normal, but not too expensive, care. It makes no sense to install an expensive foreign battery on a domestic car. But factory battery options are not the best choice. AvtoVAZ has never been able to choose high-quality batteries. What battery would you recommend for Kalina?

Antimony battery

The founder of all lead batteries. It got its name from the addition of a small percentage of antimony to lead, which made it less “soft.” Due to the rapid process of electrolysis, when when charging from 12.5 V to 12.7 V, it seems that the electrolyte is boiling, the expression “the battery is charged if it boils” arose.

The advantage of such batteries is their lead plates, which are strong enough to withstand deep discharges and not crumble. The disadvantage is the need to constantly monitor the electrolyte level in the banks. The liquid takes up more volume than the plates, which means that such batteries are limited in capacity and inrush current.

Antimony batteries are difficult to maintain due to the fact that they cannot be made sealed. The violent release of gases from electrolysis can simply rupture the housing.

Which good battery to choose for VAZ: top 10 rating

The following is a list of the most profitable solutions for installation on domestic cars.

10th place: BOSCH S4 005 Silver

– View in Yandex.Market Price from 5000 rub.

Oddly enough, the Bosch model occupies the last place in the top. The mid-budget modification has sufficient starting current and a capacity of 540A and 60 Ah, respectively. However, the good “on paper” characteristics in practical use are significantly inferior to analogues. The reserve capacity of the unit is inferior to its substitutes and is actually at the level of batteries in the lower price range. The next negative factor is complete uselessness in severe frosts. In the warm climate of the southern regions, starting problems do not arise. However, at -20-25 degrees Celsius, after the first cranking of the starter, a drop in power occurs, which is perceived extremely negatively by domestic cars. The inability to cope with deep discharge modes also stands out. Resuscitating the capacity is extremely problematic. The result is low demand among buyers. Advantages:

• capacity and starting current;
• availability of factory warranty.

• drop in power after the first cycle of starting the internal combustion engine;
• intolerance to severe frosts.

9th place: ExideExcell EB602

– View in Yandex.Market Price from 4300 rub.

The answer to the question of which battery is best for the VAZ 2107 and other classics will be 9th place in the rating. The presented model stands out among competitors' offerings with average characteristics in all areas. There is a good capacity here - 62 Ah, which is good for older cars where there are problems with the wiring or a lot of additional electrical equipment is installed. A starting current of 540A is also quite sufficient. Good build quality and thoughtful design have a positive effect on operation. A supposedly maintenance-free battery can be “restored” thanks to the presence of hidden caps for refilling electrolyte. The same jars are located under the decorative lids. The next factor is excellent frost resistance. The cheap battery functions properly in temperatures down to -35, which is a good result even for the leaders on the list. There is also a low susceptibility to self-discharge, which has a positive effect on long vehicle downtimes in winter. The likelihood of finding a car with a “dead” battery in the garage is minimal. The low ranking of the top is due to a drop in charging speed and reserve capacity in the cold. Advantages:

• quality at a reasonable cost;
• starting current indicators;
• resistance to freezing;
• lifetime.

• performance drops with decreasing temperature.

8th place: ToplaEnergy 60

– View in Yandex.Market Price from 4800 rub.

A time-tested modification of the ToplaSlavenskoye company. After analyzing customer reviews, we can establish that the strength of the battery is a good resource and a good starting current of 600 A. The actual capacity is 60 Ah, which is also not bad. Optimistically considering the option when asked which battery is best for a VAZ car, you can safely choose this model. Small-volume gasoline fours go well with the unit. Starting currents easily turn the car starter in winter. Also, long periods of downtime are not a problem - the susceptibility to self-discharge is minimal. However, when installed on diesel engines and impressive power plants, pitfalls are revealed. For example, there is concern about the charge being released too quickly during a cold start. If you cannot start the engine the first 2-3 times, then starting the internal combustion engine will be problematic. The low position of the top is due precisely to the rate of fire of the model. In some regions of Russia this may become a critical factor. Advantages:

• decent quality;
• starting current;
• The capacity reserve is suitable for tuned models;
• resistance to shaking.

• charge release and, as a consequence, a limited number of attempts to start the internal combustion engine in winter.

7th place: Banner Running Bull

– View in Yandex.Market Price from 9500 rub.

The rating list of which battery to buy for a VAZ is continued by the AGM modification of the Austrian brand. The unit is perfect for new cars like Vesta or Vesta-Cross. The high starting current of 640 amperes exceeds most budget analogues, and the capacity, limited to 60 Ah, makes it possible to freely power the on-board network without the risk of critical discharge. For the southern regions of the country, the battery version is the most optimal, maintenance-free solution. It is not afraid of shaking, vibration and is resistant to self-discharge. The ability to easily recover from deep discharges (up to 800 cycles) also stands out. The model's inability to withstand strong pores does not allow it to reach a high place. In winter, the battery loses up to 40% of its performance, and as the frost gets worse, the performance continues to drop. This circumstance forces users to handle the unit extremely carefully and hide it in a warm place, which is extremely inconvenient.

Calcium batteries

Calcium batteries replaced the obsolete antimony batteries. Instead, calcium was added to lead plates. The choice of this element should minimize the evaporation of water during the electrolysis process. In fact, this is a maintenance-free type of battery.

Some manufacturers add a small percentage of silver to the composition, which reduces the internal resistance, allowing for increased capacitance and inrush current. Calcium devices have low self-discharge. There are more plates here, but less liquid; they do not boil, since electrolysis requires 16 V.

But there are also disadvantages - such batteries are very sensitive to deep discharges. It is enough to discharge it several times, and it immediately loses up to 80% of its capacity. It is also necessary to take into account the high cost of relatively antimony ones - the difference in price can be three times different.

Which battery is better to use? Which battery should I buy?

Of course, when choosing batteries, you should take into account the brand, as well as the power of your car. If possible, give preference to proven, reputable manufacturers. As a rule, they must be perfectly usable on the international market – this is a guarantee of quality. And, of course, in most cases their manufacturers are foreign companies. The cost of imported goods significantly exceeds the cost of domestic ones, but the quality during operation will cover all costs.

When purchasing a new battery, use professional service centers. It’s great if the purchased product is installed for you on site by the center’s specialists themselves. Your cash savings will not suffer significant losses, and your nerves will be in balance.

The next type is hybrid calcium batteries, which have an advantage over other batteries in that they have the ability to prevent overcharging. All this happens thanks to certain additives that were added to the composition of the plates. The plates themselves are made of lead - they already initially have the ability not to take on excess current. These types of batteries are mostly intended for cars that have high energy costs and a powerful engine. Hybrid calcium batteries have high inrush current characteristics.

Hybrid batteries

As you might guess from the name, manufacturers tried to combine all the best qualities from the two technologies. The battery also consists of plates, but one side is antimony and the other is calcium. The characteristics of this element turned out to be average - a universal among batteries. Water consumption is at an average level, increased capacity and starting current are not too sensitive to discharge and are in the average price segment.

Helium batteries should not be considered because of their unreasonably high price and relatively low performance that does not justify the cost, although such batteries are more powerful.

What else is important when choosing a battery for Kalina

It is important to remember that the battery for Kalina (whether it is a station wagon model or another modification) is relatively small. Therefore, batteries with a large capacity can not be considered - it won’t take much energy to spin up the engine. Unless, of course, your plans include “stuffing” your car with all sorts of electronics. If this is still planned in the future, you will have to think about an option with a large capacity.

When it comes to battery capacity, it is generally better to avoid extremes. You should not buy a battery with very impressive capacitance indicators. But at the same time, it is not recommended to purchase a unit that is too small in capacity. After all, in this case it will be far from powerful.

Removing and installing the battery

You can remove and install the battery only in strict compliance with the order of connecting/disconnecting the terminals, as well as the polarity. The process looks like this:

1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the cover from the “+” terminal.
3. Loosen the bolt connection of the negative terminal and disconnect it.
4. Loosen the bolt connection of the “positive” terminal and disconnect it.
5. Remove the battery.

Installing the battery in its rightful place is done in the reverse order. In this case, you need to be careful and take into account that any battery has considerable weight.

Charging the battery

The battery itself does not produce electric current; its function is only to store it. The necessary supply of electricity in the battery is maintained by the generator, constantly recharging it. The battery life depends on the number of charge and discharge cycles. The more there are, the smaller the capacity becomes. Gradually, the battery is able to store less and less current - eventually there may not be enough to start the engine. In this case, you can revive the battery and charge it using various devices.

Before you start charging, there are several important factors to consider. The charging current should correspond to 10% of the rated capacity, that is, if the latter is 55 A/h, then the optimal current should be no more than 5-6 A. The voltage at the terminals should exceed the rated voltage by 10%. If a charged and serviceable battery shows 12.6 V, then the voltage at the charging terminals should be 13.86 V. The battery must be properly charged for a long time and at low current values. You can quickly charge the battery at a current of up to 30 A, but this method is detrimental to the plates.

Preparing to charge

Before charging the battery, you need to make sure it is discharged, and to do this it should be removed from its original place. During operation, a natural discharge is observed, but the device can also discharge due to damage to the case, when the electrolyte leaks through cracks and the chemical process is disrupted. The presence of a crack can be detected by severe oxidation of the terminals. Operation of such a power source is prohibited.

Manufacturers often use a special indicator plug, the color of which can be used to determine whether recharging is needed. All information can be found in the product passport.

The easiest and most effective way to check the charge level is to measure it with a multimeter. The device will show the exact voltage. Based on these readings, a decision is made about the need for charging.

The next step is to check the electrolyte level. This can be done through the filler holes. The electrolyte must completely cover the plates, be transparent and clean, no debris or clouding is allowed. If the level is low, you need to add distillate.

Signs of an upcoming battery replacement

There are several criteria by which the owner of Kalina can determine the need to replace the battery. For example, this is a lit lamp on the instrument panel in the cabin. It may indicate that the product has exhausted its service life and is unable to recharge while the motor and the corresponding system are running. In this case, the battery will need to be replaced and the question will be relevant: which battery to choose?

Sometimes after installing a new device, the lamp still remains on. This situation indicates the need to check the charging system and generator unit. If you have no experience in this matter, it is recommended to go to a qualified technician.