Choosing the right car battery is imperative for the smooth functioning of your vehicle. Without a healthy battery, your car cannot operate properly because the battery is what helps to start the engine and maintain the running of the electronics. But, if you are not a mechanic, you might find it difficult to choose the right battery for your car.
When you are looking for a car battery there are a number of aspects to consider. You will need to understand the specifications of your car, as there is no one-size-fits-all battery for every vehicle model. The size, brand, and age of your old battery will also need to be taken into account. If you are still not sure about how to choose the right car battery for your needs, keep reading below for some top tips.
Think About Size
The size of your car battery is vital to consider, as it will affect whether or not it will fit into your car. A car’s battery tray will differ in size according to the manufacturer, but most are designed to accommodate a battery of a specific size. You can find your car battery size in the battery section of your owner’s manual but you can also speak to car mechanics to find this out.
Battery sizes are usually according to the type of car that you are going to be placing it in. For example, a larger vehicle such as a sedan will likely need a larger battery, and a smaller vehicle such as a hatchback will need a smaller one. You will also need ot take the age of your car into consideration, as some older vehicles are much larger than newer ones, which means your battery will be larger than what is on some of the shelves today.
Power Play
Another vital component of choosing your car battery is to ensure that you have the right amount of power to keep your car moving forward. For this, you will need to consider cold-cranking amps (CCA) and reserve capacity (RC).
The cranking amps is the measure of your battery’s starting power and should always match the standard requirements of your vehicle. Reserve capacity measures the number of minutes of reserve power that the battery has at any given load. This power helps to ensure that the battery is powering the vehicle accessories even when the vehicle is not in operation. The RC keeps your car running smoothly and maintains the essentials should the alternator fail.
Always Check The Age
Before you choose a new car battery, you will need to look at how old it is. Newer batteries tend to perform at a better rate than older batteries, and you should always check the manufacturing date on the battery before making a purchase.
A battery is considered to be fresh if it is six months old or younger. It may be difficult for you to understand the manufacturing date of a car battery, as they are sometimes listed in a code that only makes sense to the manufacturer. You can speak to your car battery supplier and ask them to explain this to you if you are not sure. An older battery may not be the best fit if your car is used every day for long and strenuous journeys.
Understand Battery Maintenance
You are able to choose from a battery that needs maintenance and one that does not. A maintenance-free battery does not require any electrolyte monitoring, making it an easy and hassle-free installation. Maintaining a battery can be difficult for those who are not sure how to perform this maintenance, so be sure to take your own abilities into account.
If you are looking for a new car battery to power your vehicle, you will need to think about size, power, and age. You can contact Battery Clinic today to find out what we can offer you and to find out more about batteries.
