How to Buy a Car Battery
Learn what battery size you need for your car's make and model., Pick the correct size and type of battery for your driving needs., Look for a battery that has been on the store shelf for less than six months., Ask about "cold cranking amps" (CCA)...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn what battery size you need for your car's make and model.
Consult your car's owner's manual.
The manual usually specifies the battery size you should buy.
Ask an auto supply store employee to help you figure out the correct battery size. -
Step 2: Pick the correct size and type of battery for your driving needs.
Keep driving needs and climate in mind and check your owner's manual for the correct physical size.
Consider group size, which refers to the outside dimensions of the battery and the placement of the terminals.
If you get a battery that is too small, it won't fit securely in the battery compartment of your car.
High temperatures are hard on car batteries.
The electrolyte solution in car batteries evaporates more rapidly in hot climates.
A battery with a long life is important if your daily driving habits are primarily short stop-and-start trips.
Short trips don't allow very much time for your battery to recharge.
A battery with a long life is better able to withstand those shorter trips. , The date stamp code gives you the battery's freshness information.
The first two characters are a letter and a digit — A stands for January, B for February, etc.; the digit specifies the year the battery was manufactured — five stands for 2015, six for
2016.
The date code is engraved into the cover of the battery.
You can find it as you look down at the top of the battery.
Some batteries may also have a sticker with the date code. , These 2 terms are critical, especially if you live in a colder climate.
CCA indicates a battery's ability to start a car in 0°F (-17°C).
CCA also tells you how much current the battery delivers to your car's starter.
CA tells you how much current your battery delivers to your car when temperatures are 32°F (0°C).
This rating is usually higher than the CCA.
A battery cost increases as the CCA increases.
The CCA is relative to how much lead a battery has inside it when it is built; as the lead increases, the CCA increases. , Reserve capacity measures how many minutes the battery may run using its power alone.
You need to know the reserve capacity in case your car's alternator should fail. , Maintenance free batteries do not need to have water added to them.
Low maintenance batteries are unsealed and have caps on top that allow you to add distilled water — an important consideration if you live in a hot climate. -
Step 3: Look for a battery that has been on the store shelf for less than six months.
-
Step 4: Ask about "cold cranking amps" (CCA) and "cranking amps" (CA).
-
Step 5: Inquire about reserve capacity for the batteries that are in stock.
-
Step 6: Check the difference between maintenance free (sealed) and low maintenance batteries.
Detailed Guide
Consult your car's owner's manual.
The manual usually specifies the battery size you should buy.
Ask an auto supply store employee to help you figure out the correct battery size.
Keep driving needs and climate in mind and check your owner's manual for the correct physical size.
Consider group size, which refers to the outside dimensions of the battery and the placement of the terminals.
If you get a battery that is too small, it won't fit securely in the battery compartment of your car.
High temperatures are hard on car batteries.
The electrolyte solution in car batteries evaporates more rapidly in hot climates.
A battery with a long life is important if your daily driving habits are primarily short stop-and-start trips.
Short trips don't allow very much time for your battery to recharge.
A battery with a long life is better able to withstand those shorter trips. , The date stamp code gives you the battery's freshness information.
The first two characters are a letter and a digit — A stands for January, B for February, etc.; the digit specifies the year the battery was manufactured — five stands for 2015, six for
2016.
The date code is engraved into the cover of the battery.
You can find it as you look down at the top of the battery.
Some batteries may also have a sticker with the date code. , These 2 terms are critical, especially if you live in a colder climate.
CCA indicates a battery's ability to start a car in 0°F (-17°C).
CCA also tells you how much current the battery delivers to your car's starter.
CA tells you how much current your battery delivers to your car when temperatures are 32°F (0°C).
This rating is usually higher than the CCA.
A battery cost increases as the CCA increases.
The CCA is relative to how much lead a battery has inside it when it is built; as the lead increases, the CCA increases. , Reserve capacity measures how many minutes the battery may run using its power alone.
You need to know the reserve capacity in case your car's alternator should fail. , Maintenance free batteries do not need to have water added to them.
Low maintenance batteries are unsealed and have caps on top that allow you to add distilled water — an important consideration if you live in a hot climate.
About the Author
Deborah Simmons
Enthusiastic about teaching home improvement techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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