How to Shop For a Car Battery

    How to Shop For a Car Battery

    A good battery is a key component of a reliable vehicle. Cheap batteries often require replacement more frequently, costing you more in the long run. Three companies manufacture most of the batteries sold in the U.S., including Johnson Controls Industries (DieHard), Exide, and East Penn.

    Before you buy a new car battery, make sure it has the correct BCI group size and terminal locations. Look for this information in the owner’s manual or an in-store fit guide.

    Cost

    Whether you’re replacing the battery that came with your car, buying a new battery for an older model vehicle or purchasing one for an electric vehicle, it’s important to understand how much these batteries cost. They represent a regular expense when calculating your overall car ownership costs, and they can vary widely depending on size, warranty, type and performance.

    Traditional lead-acid car and truck batteries are the most common types sold today. They are rated by their cold cranking amps and the size of their battery tray, which determines their maximum power capacity. Batteries that are larger and deliver higher CCA ratings have a better chance of starting your car in colder temperatures, but they are usually more expensive than smaller alternatives.

    The cost of a battery can vary widely depending advance auto parts battery on where you shop. Discount clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s offer a limited selection of batteries at discounted pricing for members, while auto parts stores and dealerships stock OEM or aftermarket batteries tailored for specific makes of cars. Some of these locations also provide installation services, but they typically charge a higher labor rate than other retailers.

    Consider buying store brands over big name battery names to save 15-30%. Look for coupons, rebates and free installation specials to reduce your total purchase price. Check out online price comparison websites to see where the best deals are near you. Rewire non-essential accessories to a separate fuse box to minimize load on the starter battery, and clean battery posts and connections periodically to maximize their lifespan.

    Warranty

    Car battery shopping is usually one of the least exciting parts of owning a vehicle. Whether it’s after repeated calls to AAA for jump starts or simply due to age, you often find yourself at an auto parts store or even your local dealership looking to buy a new battery. And, with so many options available it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.

    When buying a car battery, look for one that is backed by a warranty. Most battery vendors offer warranties that cover the replacement cost of a defective product, provided that it is the result of factory defects and not user error. Some warranty terms may vary between vendors, but in general most ask that you bring the defective battery back to the vendor from which it was purchased, even if you’ve since moved or lost your receipt.

    It’s also important to pay attention to the physical size of a battery. These days there’s a wide variety of sizes that fit today’s diverse fleets of vehicles. Make sure to get the correct model for your car by checking your owner’s manual, in-store fit guides or online. Also, pay special attention to the terminal type (standard posts or Japanese post) and location (top or bottom). This will help ensure that you’re getting a battery that is compatible with your vehicle.

    Safety

    Car batteries are large and contain corrosive acids. They also produce an electrical charge, which poses a risk of electrocution if you touch the terminals while they are still connected to the vehicle. This is why it is important to follow safety guidelines when working on a battery. You should never allow metal tools or personal items to make contact with the battery, as they will conduct electricity and cause a short circuit. You should also wear personal protective equipment and follow strict storage and handling procedures.

    The sulphuric acid in car batteries is poisonous and if splashed on the skin or eyes it can cause burns. It can also damage clothes and shoes. If it is ingested, the sulphuric acid can burn the lungs and cause blindness. This is why it is important to use a rubber glove and a plastic or glass container when touching a battery. It is also important to follow proper lifting techniques when transporting a battery, and to store it in a cool, dry place.

    It is also important to avoid smoking near a battery. If you are unsure whether you have an electric car battery, you can check its date of manufacture by looking for a sticker on the top or side of the battery. It is usually marked with a letter and a digit, which indicates the month and year it was manufactured.

    Technology

    When shopping for a new battery, it’s important to take the time to consider the technology used. The Ah (Ampere hours) rating is an indicator of how much power the battery can supply for an hour and is a good measure of how much capacity the battery has.

    A battery’s CCA (cold cranking amp) rating is also an important factor to consider, ev battery manufacturing as it measures the ability of a battery to turn over a vehicle at low temperatures. Generally, a battery with a higher CCA rating is better than one with a lower rating, but bigger isn’t always better. A battery that is too big may not fit your car.

    Some manufacturers make batteries with a specific connection type that matches the connector in your vehicle. XS Power, for example, makes batteries with light gray designs and aggressive labeling that are ideal for use with expensive audio and electrical accessories. They feature a special terminal setup that lets you bolt down your accessories, and they offer digital dashboard mounts for monitoring the power drain during high-intensity usage.

    It’s also important to check your manufacturer’s recommendations and to compare the battery specs against the stock unit in your vehicle. A few important numbers to pay attention to include the group size, CCA, and RC. The number of lead-acid cells is another important factor to consider.