Home Automotive 5 Tips on How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Car

5 Tips on How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Car

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5 Tips on How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Car

Eventually, all car batteries need to be replaced. Maybe you’ve noticed that your lights aren’t as bright as they once were, or you’ve had to have your car jumped a few times in the last six months. Whatever the case may be, you should make sure you change your battery every 3 to 5 years, under normal use circumstances.

When you go to replace your battery, you may want to take the DIY route. Even if you aren’t a DIY person, car battery replacement can be simple if you know what you’re doing, take all necessary precautions, and get the right car battery for your car. If doing it yourself doesn’t sound right for you, that’s okay. You may still wish to purchase your battery beforehand and have a professional install it. That way, you’ll save yourself some money.

Brand

Does the brand matter? Well, in some cases when it comes to cars, it does. To play it safe, you can buy the battery that is recommended in your car owner’s manual. This battery will work perfectly well for your car. However, if you want to save money, you can also follow the requirements written in your manual to find a different battery that will also work for your car.

Remember, don’t be tempted to buy the cheapest brand just because it’s the least expensive. Choose a battery that’s within your budget, but also one that is the right fit for your car.

Size

When talking about the size of the battery manufacturers are referring to the height, width, and length. The battery you choose should fit snugly and securely in the battery tray of your car. A wrong sized battery will simply be a waste of money and may damage your car. So, be sure to choose the right battery size for your car.

Reserve

Reserve capacity rating refers to a car battery’s standing power. This is measured in minutes and measures the continuous supply of minimum voltage needed to run a car, should the car’s alternator or fan belt fail. The longer the amount of time you have, the better. It may save you from being stranded somewhere. It’s like an emergency kit. When your car runs into trouble, you’ll have a little bit of extra time to get where you need to go.

Age

The age of your battery is important to. It will give you insight into how long the battery should be able to perform. A fresh battery is any battery that is 6 months old or less. You can find a code on any battery that will indicate its age to help you out.

Cold-Cranking Amps

If you live in an area where the weather gets cold, you’ll want to look into a battery’s cold-cranking amp (CCA) ability. It measures a battery’s ability to start in cold conditions. It will be more difficult for cars to start in the cold, because the oil in your engine thickens and no longer moves freely. Choosing a battery with a high CCA rating will mean that your car will be able to start with more ease, and less drain on the vehicle itself.