Exide EK960 · Start-Stop battery 96Ah 850A AGM

Yes. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology, 96 Ah and 12 V: sealed lead-acid, with the electrolyte held in glass fibre. Its advantages: more charge/discharge cycles than a conventional battery and better heat tolerance. It is also required in cars with advanced Start-Stop and regenerative braking.

Yes. It is a AGM battery of 96 Ah, designed for vehicles with Start-Stop. AGM batteries support advanced Start-Stop and regenerative braking thanks to their higher cycle count. Basic Start-Stop: EFB. Start-Stop with regenerative braking: AGM, which withstands more cycles. Check the handbook for the technology the car manufacturer requires. It needs nothing to work, though on most modern cars registering it via OBD is advisable so the alternator adjusts its charging profile.

Before you start, check the car handbook: the manufacturer's procedure always comes first. Our full step-by-step guide is on the blog. On most cars it is a 15-30 minute job needing only a 10 mm spanner (up to twice as long when the battery is under a seat or in the boot). The right order: engine off and key out; disconnect the negative (−) first, then the positive (+); release the hold-down clamp, lift out the old battery and seat the new one in the same position (positive on the right), keeping the polarity; reconnect the positive (+) first and the negative (−) last. On cars with Start-Stop or BMS, registering the battery via OBD makes the alternator charge with the correct profile. Mind the IBS sensor on the negative terminal too: loosen the cable nut, not the sensor. And the replacement must be the same technology (AGM or EFB) or higher: a conventional battery fails within months.

Estimated lifespan of the Exide EK960: 5 to 8 years in mild-climate car use with Start-Stop. Treat it as an approximate guide, as every case is different. Actual lifespan varies with climate (cold starts, heat evaporating the electrolyte), with usage and short journeys, with the condition of the alternator and charging system, with power draw while parked and with maintenance; the type of car and Start-Stop also count.

It measures 353×175×190 mm in length × width × height, with the terminals included in the height; that is the European L5 case size. Measure the battery tray before ordering: a one-millimetre difference is enough for the hold-down clamp not to close.

The EK960 has the positive on the right in a L5 case: that is its polarity. It must match your current battery: reversed polarity means lengthening cables or reconfiguring the system, with a risk of short circuit. Face the battery with its terminals nearest you and see which side the positive post (+, red ring) is on.

The quickest way is to enter your number plate in the finder: DGT/DVLA/KBA detect model and engine. You can also look at the "Compatible vehicles" tab, verified by our technical team, or send us make, model, engine and year on WhatsApp; we answer during business hours (Mon–Fri 10:00–13:30 and 16:30–18:00 (Spanish time, CET)). The compatibility list for the EK960 runs to 729 verified vehicle versions. In every case, the car manufacturer's specifications (owner's handbook) take precedence.

Technology matters too: in Start-Stop cars, an EFB cannot be replaced with a conventional battery. The options at the same level are in the "Equivalents" section of this page. To replace the Exide EK960 without modifications, the other battery must be identical in size (L5 case), polarity, Ah and CCA.

Same range and the same performance as the EK960. Compared with the EK960 it has the same Ah and cranking power. It costs 11,70 € more. Either one works; decide by price.

It is the verified Varta equivalent for the EK960 tray. Compared with the EK960 it has 1 Ah less. It costs 39,89 € more. Decide by price, brand preference and availability: both fit and crank the same.

For regenerative braking systems such as BMW EfficientDynamics, Mercedes Eco, Audi MHEV, Land Rover ECO or Volvo i-Stop, AGM is the recommendation; it also copes better than an EFB with tilting, vibration and extreme temperatures. AGM means Absorbent Glass Mat: the electrolyte soaks a glass-fibre mat (no spills), and an AGM battery lasts many more cycles than a conventional one. This EK960 delivers 850 A cold cranking (EN).

Advisable, yes; essential, on most cars, no. Registering it via OBD makes the alternator charge with the optimum profile from the first minute and extends battery life, which matters most on brands with sophisticated BMS such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo or Land Rover. A workshop only needs an OBD scanner and a few minutes. DIY apps: VCDS / Carista (VAG), Bimmercode (BMW), iCarsoft. If you do not register the EK960, it will keep starting fine while the alternator adjusts the profile over a few days.