Before choosing your car battery, ensure that a renowned brand manufactures it. Experts recommend knowing your vehicle’s make, model, year, engine, and type of transmission will protect you from losses by investing in the wrong battery. Not all car batteries are compatible with all car models. Choosing the best one will be a crucial component that powers your car and gives the best performance.
The factors you should consider on buying a car battery are discussed below.
Car Battery Buying Tips
- Check Diameter of Previous Battery
- Check the Battery manufacturing date
- Understand Cold Cranking Amps rating
- Check RC Rating
- Know Battery type
- Check Battery Life
- Go for a battery with a warranty
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Diameter of Battery
Before buying a car, you should check your previse battery diameter. The battery’s label can find the length, width, and height number. This number will help you choose the battery-size fit in your car and provide enough energy. Also, you can check the owner’s manual or the mechanic for the battery size you require.
Battery manufacturing date
Batteries get damaged and lose their capacity over time. So it’s essential to look at the manufacturing date of the cell. You will see a printed code on the battery with a two-character. This consists of a letter and number. The letter indicates the manufacturing month, and the number indicates the year. You should not consider buying the battery within the past six months of its manufacturing date.
Cold Cranking Amps rating
Cold Cranking Amps refers to the energy required to start the engine at a freezing temperature. So you can understand that a higher CCA rating is recommended for those living in cold climates.
RC Rating
RC refers to the reverse capacity. It indicates how long the battery can go if the alternator, stator, and rotor do not work. The RC number can also calculate how long the headlights can let on. With a high RC rating battery, you will not need to make a jump start to ignite the car’s engine. You will know the score if you know how long it takes to discharge a fully charged battery. The average scoring batteries usually need one and a half hours to erupt fully, whereas the high scoring battery will go two hours.
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Battery type
There are different battery types available for cars. Some of them are more affordable, and some are costly.
Lead Acid Battery
Lead-acid is the oldest, most common, and most affordable battery type to replace. It’s also called the SLI battery, which stands for Starting, Lighting, and Ignition. These also need low maintenance.
Lithium-ion battery
The Li-Ion battery charges faster and runs for a longer time compared to the lead-acid battery. It is lighter and allows you to go for a long-distance drive without thinking about recharging. Also, the cost is a little high to replace.
AGM Battery
AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. These batteries have become standard for modern cars for stop-start systems, electronic safety and convenience features, and power outlets. This battery is more powerful than lithium-ion or lead acid and holds charge longer. Also, the price is about 40% higher than the other types.
Battery Life
Battery life depends on how many times you charge and discharge the battery. Most car batteries last 3000 times. The battery with a high life score, the longer it will last and the more reliable it will be. You should avoid short trips for longer battery life and not let the battery recharge fully.
Warranties
When choosing a battery, you should go for a battery with a warranty. Most of the quality batteries come with a 24-36 months warranty. This warranty will protect you in any unwanted condition and allow you to have a service or free replacement within this time.
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