Industry News

Motolite, the Philippines' top battery brand, continues to improve on its offerings to the motoring public with two of the Automotive Batteries from their EXCEL series of batteries: Motolite EXCEL & Motolite EXCEL EFB.

Using German technology and its state of the art manufacturing & testing facilities, Motolite has engineered these top of the line batteries to meet the needs of a growing selection of premium automobiles operating in the demanding Philippine climate.

Motolite EXCEL's features include:

- A high-purity electrolyte formulated to minimize water loss and slow down self-discharge, even under extreme temperatures caused by under-the-hood engine heat combined with excessive tropical heat;

- A specially formulated paste to increase cranking capability and cycle endurance;

- Thick, rigid, full-framed positive and negative grids with wire architecture optimized for current delivery, mechanical endurance, and high-temperature corrosion resistance;

- Glass-mat laminated polyethylene separator envelopes that secure active masses, preventing shedding even on deep discharges and tough road conditions, delivering exceptional durability and longer service life;

- Battery cell designs with snug-fitting elements that improve vibration resistance, increase mechanical durability, and prevent short circuits;

- Thicker posts and through-the-partition cell connectors that promote more efficient current flow, helping achieve maximum capacity, exceptional durability, and longer service life.

- An impact-resistant all-weather casing with polypropylene covers and containers designed for all types of battery trays and compartments.

The Motolite EXCEL battery is designed for delivery optimum starting power for premium automobiles in a broad selection of sizes, including DIN ( Deutsches Institutfür Normung or German Industrial Standard) sizes prevalent among European vehicles, and some Japanese, Korean, American, and Chinese cars.

Motolite EXCEL EFB's, built to handle the punishment of start-stop engines, include these features:

- Low-type plates providing more headspace for acid, to keep battery temperatures lower, allowing for longer battery life;

- Enveloped positive plates to prevent deep discharges, and thick-cast positive plate grids for increased corrosion resistance;

- Full-bordered negative plate grids less prone to internal short circuits;

- Reinforced upper frames more resistant against grid growth and corrosion, with rounded edges to also avoid sudden internal short circuits;

- Product-specific container ribs for increased resistance to vibration;

- Redesigned element rests for the effective channeling of plate residues that build up in the course of battery use.

- Optimized wire design that lowers electrical resistance, and improves current distribution; and

- Special paste additives and electrolyte additives that prevent deep-discharge shorts, and slow down self-discharge.

Motolite EXCEL EFB is designed for extended performance, able to endure the punishing demands of start-stop vehicles on its starter batteries - even under the punishing road and weather conditions of the Philippines.

Both batteries are backed by Motolite's nationwide warranty coverage. Motolite EXCEL offers a 24 Month Warranty, while Motolite EXCEL EFB offers an 18 Month Warranty for start/stop vehicles, or a 27 Months Warranty for conventional vehicles.

Which Is The Right One For Your Vehicle -- Motolite's Excel EFB Or Excel AGM?

As part of its commitment to its customers to provide a complete line of batteries for their needs, Motolite - the Philippines' top battery brand - has released two top-of-the line batteries as part of its premium EXCEL line of batteries: the EXCEL EFB & the EXCEL AGM.

But which one is best for your vehicle? Both batteries have their strengths and weaknesses, so it comes down to what matches your vehicle's needs best.

Motolite EXCEL EFBs, engineered to work with start-stop engines, enjoy longer battery life due to:

- Lower battery temperatures due to low-type plates that provide headspace for acid;

- Increased corrosion resistance from enveloped positive plates that prevent deep discharges, from thick-cast positive plate grids, and from reinforced upper frames;

- Reduced chances of internal short circuits, due to full-bordered negative plate grids;

- Improved current distribution and lowered electrical resistance from optimized wire design;

- Increased resistance to vibration from product-specific container ribs; and

- Slowed self-discharged and reduced deep-discharge shorts through special additives for the battery paste and battery electrolyte.

Motolite EXCEL AGMs offer:

- AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) separators which absorb the electrolyte, critical in enabling oxygen-hydrogen recombination and making the battery spill-proof;

- Extremely low gassing and moisture loss due to the oxygen recombination process inherent to VRLA (Valve regulated lead acid) batteries;

- Long service life due to the valve-regulated exhaust, which keeps the optimal operating pressure temperature;

- Longer service life due to the pure lead (99.99%) grids and connectors which aid in oxygen retention; and

- Improved power delivery through optimized punch grid technology.

These stem from the differences in technologies. In EFBs, oxygen, hydrogen, and water vapor are released during the regular battery charge & discharge cycle. In time, this lowers the electrolyte level, eventually requiring the topping off of demi-water. In AGMs, the use of the absorbent mat allows it to store all electrolytes in the system and counter the electrolyte loss, and to suppressing water and hydrogen gas escape from the battery, reducing moisture loss.

While this means that AGMs tend to retain moisture and electrolytes better, it also means they lack the cooling effect of the electrolytes that EFBs enjoy - reducing effectiveness in tropical climates. Furthermore, in AGMs every 10degC increase in temperature doubles the rate of reactivity, resulting in increased gassing, hastened corrosion, and ultimately a shorter battery life.

Ultimately, it's recommended that customers use EXCEL AGM for cars that also have AGM batteries for original equipment, and to use EXCEL EFB for cars that use EFB batteries as original equipment. This is to avoid the detrimental impact that unplanned excess heat might have on an AGM battery installed in a space meant for an EFB.

Both Motolite EXCEL EFB & AGM are backed by Motolite's nationwide warranty coverage. Motolite EXCEL EFB offers an 18 Month / 27 Month Warranty (for start-stop vehicles / conventional vehicles respectively), while Motolite EXCEL AGM offers a 21 Month / 24 Month Warranty (for start-stop vehicles / conventional vehicles respectively).

Motolite Services At Your Fingertips: Express Hatid, Res-Q And More

Motolite's promise to deliver pangmatagalan satisfaction doesn't stop with its batteries. It continues to grow the coverage and availability of its services to customers through an increasing number of channels.

Most Motolite customers know to look for official Motolite outlets in their neighborhoods or along main roads, and longtime customers keep the Motolite Express Hatid Hotlines [ (02) 8370- 6686 for Metro Manila, (0918) 843 6686 For SMART users, and (0917) 891 6686 for GLOBE Users ] readily available in their smartphones, just in case they may need to inquire about their nearest Motolite outlet, to get recommended battery specs & sizes for their vehicles, or to request speedy battery servicing or delivery to their offices or homes.

Savvy online customers of Motolite have already bookmarked Motolite's website (www.motolite.com) which is not only Motolite's official online presence, but is also a regularly updated tool for customers to find the recommended batteries for their vehicles, stay updated on the complete line of Motolite batteries for automobiles, motorcycles, other vehicles, and other non-vehicle applications, and the latest news & Motolite promos. Smartphone-wielding customers know to check Motolite Express Hatid's Facebook account (@motoliteexpresshatid) for news and motoring tips, and to send quick inquiries via FB messenger to Motolite's online customer service team.

However, many are unware of the additional services available through the Motolite RES-Q App. In addition to being able to drop a pin on your location to request battery servicing, replacement, or purchase for a Motolite battery, you also have the option to request roadside assistance for tire problems, fuel problems, and even engine overheating.

Motolite RES-Q riders are specially trained to delivery roadside assistance to Motolite Customers, capable of providing

- Battery servicing, including jumpstarting a customer's discharged battery, testing battery health, and recommending recharging (if battery is still healthy), replacement (if failing, but still under warranty), or new purchase (if warranty has expired). All official RES-Q riders have access to Motolite's warranty database and regularly remind customers about warranty coverage for their batteries;

- Swift and skilled battery removal and installation;

- Emergency re-inflation of a flat tire, or assistance in changing to a spare tire;

- Delivering emergency fuel in case a customer runs out of gas; and

- Providing assistance in rare cases of engine overheating.

All these services are a screen touch away through the Motolite RES-Q app in Metro Manila, and a rapidly growing coverage area beyond NCR.

Lastly, Motolite RES-Q offers customers a way to secure the E-Warranty of their battery. By registering their battery and vehicle details on Motolite RES-Q, customers will have all the necessary information necessary for Motolite's outlets & customer service channels to identify and process warranty claims on Motolite Batteries right at their fingertips. A useful backup to Warranty Cards and Official Receipts, which tend to disappear from the glove compartment during regular cleanings or service visits.

Cautious motorists would do well do download and register on their Motolite RES-Q apps already; you never know when you may need roadside assistance from Motolite's RES-Q Riders. Motolite RES-Q is available for iOS and Android devices.