Prestige Automobile on danger of repairing a BMW high voltage battery

Today, Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have become game changers in shaping the automobile landscape by becoming easy to use, economically affordable vehicles. As these vehicles continue to revolutionise the persona of the automobile industry with cutting-edge technology, a significant research is also put in place by top automobile manufacturers to improve the quality of lithium-ion batteries to make these vehicles more reliable and cost effective in the long term. 

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries play a pivotal role in enabling the PHEVs and Electric Vehicles to go to the next level. This is because, unlike gasoline powered vehicles, PHEVs and EVs are powered using Li-ion batteries, and the entire ecosystem of these vehicles rely on battery power. 

Explaining the importance of maintaining a Li-ion battery to run at its optimum and the risks of short circuiting, Prestige Automobile Ltd. Head of after Sales Laksiri De Silva said, “Today we see a rapid growth of Electric and PHEV vehicles as they offer better value as opposed to conventional vehicles. However, the growth of these new greener vehicles needs to be complimented with the right resource support, right infrastructure, right technical knowhow and the right systems and skill sets to facilitate the survival of these revolutionary thoroughbred models. If we look at a Hybrid/EV Battery, the main enemy is the heat, and if it’s not managed in an appropriate manner, high heat could lead to blowing-off of the cell modules and ignite fire where the damages can be catastrophic to the passenger as well as to the vehicle. No repairs should be done to the cell modules of these batteries as repairing or manipulating sensors impact the high voltage system circuits including the High Voltage Control Unit.”

“Despite all the above said risks involved, we see that, some BMW users repair their vehicles at unauthorised workshops without knowing the repercussions. Repairing of such batteries cause significant damages to the cells of high voltage battery. BMW Hybrid, PHEV and i-Performance vehicles are designed to monitor the functionalities of its battery modules via highly sophisticated sensors to control the working conditions of each cell unit through the battery management system. We have seen some customers repairing temperature sensors and modifying cell supervision circuits to repair high voltage batteries.”

“Although this offers a short term solution, it affects the reliability of the vehicle significantly whilst reducing the life time of a Li-Ion battery by nearly 60%, and moreover compromising on the safety of the vehicle. Understanding this impact among BMW, BMW-i and i-performance vehicles, and the service offerings practiced at unauthorised workshops, we launched a special after sales promotion to invite all BMW owners to patronise the BMW state-of-the-art after sales services.”

“Our services are rounded up by a comprehensive setup, an eight-step service process and designed to cater to the demands of maintenance and repair requirements of today’s latest BMW, BMW-i, i-Performance and MINI vehicles. We have highly trained high voltage technicians who are qualified to carry out any repairs on all BMW vehicles. Further, our state of the art equipment recommended by BMW global also makes us the only authorised after sales service centre in Sri Lanka that provide original BMW spare parts and official software upgrades announced through the manufacturer,” added Laksiri.

In conclusion, Laksiri added, “Through constant training and application, we ensure that we keep abreast with current and future technologies to serve our valued customers better. This extensive task is managed with our BMW certified in-house trainer, through overseas training in the Regional Training Centre, or directly in the Training Facilities of BMW AG in Germany. The range of value-added services we offer include two year comprehensive warranty, parts warranty, extended goodwill, mobility guarantee, on-line booking facility, free product and technical upgrades, specially designed package prices to better suit customer needs and many more.”