How to Choose the Correct Car Battery

For you to enjoy long lasting rides on your car, it should have a reliable battery. A car battery is a very important component of a car as it helps in keeping all the electronics running and most importantly, it is really essential for your engine to start. For you to play your favorite music in the car or even charge your phone, your car should have an efficient battery.

With time, a vehicle battery gradually loses its power and that is when driving conditions as well as cold weather can really make it hard for it to operate well. This is the time when you should consider buying a new one. It can be however challenging to choose the right auto battery especially if you do not know exactly what to look for (especially the specifications). Below are a few tips that will greatly help you when purchasing a new battery for your car.

1) Understanding the basic car battery essentials

If you go for a battery whose capacity is too small, then you may end up having to replace it sooner than usual. On the other hand, if you choose one that has too much capacity you will only be incurring unnecessary costs. This is why it is very important to understand the basic essentials before you purchase one.

Battery specifications

Already there is a battery that has been specifically designed to fit the model and make of your car. Before purchasing one therefore, you should take a look at the vehicle’s manual and this will greatly help you in determine the specifications that best suit your car.

Reputable dealer

There are several auto battery stores but not all of them sell quality batteries (especially those that sell very low priced batteries) .It is important to purchase a battery from a reputable dealer because you can be sure to get one with high quality.

Life expectancy

Usually, the cost of a car battery is the best indicator of its lifespan. Most of the long life batteries have ratings of up to 5 years. Do not go for a low quality battery that will only bring you problems because it does not function well unless you are not planning on keeping the car for that long.

New battery vs old battery comparison

Take the old battery out of your car and compare it with the new one and this will help you determine whether it is the right one or not. Compare the shapes, sizes and even the configurations of both batteries and if they do not match, then definitely the new one does not fit your car and you should try a different one.

Car Battery Warranty

Just like cost of a battery, its warranty is also a good indicator on whether its quality is good or not. A battery that comes with a longer warranty is likely to be of best quality because it shows that the manufacturer is confident that it will last longer. Have a closer look at the battery codes to see the warranty- for instance, there are some which have a warranty period of 84 months whereas others offer a 24-month free-replacement period.

2) Go For a Car Battery With The Right Power

For you to determine whether the battery power is right for your car, you have to consider the Reserve Capacity (RC) and the Cold Cranking amps. The measure of a batter’s starting power is referred to as cranking amps (CCA) and should always match with the standard requirements of your car. You can look at the owner’s manual get the specifications

RC measures the exact number of minutes of reserve power that the battery has at a specified load. This is the power that ensures that the battery is powering the vehicle’s accessories when the engine is off. Research Capacity also helps to keep essentials running if the alternators fail and it is essential in ensuring that the car runs smoothly.

Technology type as well as the size of the battery also play role in determining battery power. Before you purchase a battery, check your car’s manual to get the recommended RC and then check the new battery’s label to see if it matches with your car’s recommended RC. You can even ask the shop attendant for the RC ratings in minutes.

3) Car Battery Maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, vehicle batteries come in two types i.e. maintenance free and maintenance required. Many people prefer the maintenance free batteries and although they are more costly, one does not have to worry about maintenance. This type of battery does not require electrolyte maintenance and once you have installed it you do not have to worry about having to check the electrolyte levels.

One the other hand, maintenance required batteries are much cheaper but they require monitoring. You will be required to regularly check the electrolyte levels and you can do this by yourself or ask a professional to do it for you. You may also be required to top up the levels. Therefore if you are okay with having to regularly maintain the battery then this may be a good choice for you otherwise you should go for the maintenance free one.

4) Does the battery fit your car? Does it fit your driving needs?

By the end of the day, you want something that you will be happy with and at the same time is perfect for your car. A replacement battery should be of the right size & design for the car for to function well.

You should consider your driving conditions as well as the climate of the area in which you live because this can significantly affect the car’s battery life. If an auto battery is frequently exposed to high temperatures, it may result in electrolyte vaporization and may even lead to corrosion. If you are not sure of anything you can ask your local dealer and you can also have the battery tested to determine whether is best for your driving needs as well as the specific location. The battery should also be tested to determine whether it best suits your car.