How to buy a car battery
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Your car battery is a device that stores the electricity needed to start your car and operate its options. If your car battery is not working properly, you may not be able to start your car when you turn the key...
Your car battery is a device that stores the electricity needed to start your car and operate its options. If the car battery is not working properly, you may not be able to start the car when you turn the key, or it may not charge while driving. There are several problems that can occur with a car battery that needs to be replaced:
- cracked battery case
- Frozen battery, visible on protruding sides
- A battery that won't accept a charge
- Loose battery terminals
- Battery fill plugs missing
If you have one or more of these symptoms, you will most likely need to buy a new battery for your vehicle.
How to choose the right battery for your car? What should you look for in a new battery? Follow these steps to get the best battery for your needs.
Part 1 of 4: Determine the size of the battery group
All car batteries are sorted by group size. It specifies the dimensions of the battery case as well as the orientation of the battery terminals or posts. To find the right battery for your car, you need to know the group size.
Step 1. Check the group size on the old battery.. If the battery that originally came with your vehicle is still in it, look for the group size on the label on the battery.
The label can be on the top or side of the case.
The group size is usually a two-digit number, which may be followed by a letter.
| How to buy a car battery | |
|---|---|
| Battery Type | Cars that fit |
| 65 (Upper Terminal) | Ford, Lincoln, Mercury |
| 75 (side terminal) | GM, Chrysler, Dodge |
| 24/24 floor (upper terminal) | Lexus, Honda, Toyota, Infiniti, Nissan, Acura |
| 34/78 (double terminal) | GM, Chrysler, Dodge |
| 35 (Upper Terminal) | Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Subaru |
Typical side column battery group size numbers are 70, 74, 75, and 78.
Typical top rack battery group size numbers are 41, 42, 48, 24, 24F, 51, 58R, and 65.
Step 2. Check the group size in the user manual.. See the specifications section in the user manual.
The size of the battery group as well as other relevant battery information will be specified in the specifications.
Step 3: Find the group size online. Use an online resource to determine the battery group size for your vehicle.
Find an online resource like AutoBatteries.com to find out the batch size.
Enter information about your vehicle, including year, make, model, and engine size.
When you submit the information, you will be presented with the group size and the CCA result.
Part 2 of 4: Find the minimum cold start amps of your battery
Your car needs a certain amount of current to start, especially in cold weather. If your battery doesn't have enough amperage to flip over in cold weather, it won't start and you'll be stranded.
Step 1 Look at the battery label.. On the sticker on the top or side of the battery case, look for the number followed by "CCA".
If the battery is not original for the car, you need to make sure this number is accurate.
The label may be faded or illegible. You may need to find CCA in a different way.
Step 2: Read the manual. Check the user manual specifications for the minimum CCA rating.
Step 3. Check online. Check your online resource for a minimum CCA rating.
- Functions: The minimum CCA rating can be exceeded without any negative consequences, but do not install a battery with a rating lower than the minimum CCA rating.
Step 4: Find a highly rated battery. If you live in a cold climate where temperatures are well below freezing for several months, you may want to look for a battery with a higher CCA rating for easier cold weather starting.
Part 3 of 4. Determine the Battery Cell Type
Most used car batteries are known as conventional lead acid batteries. They have cells inside the battery made from positive and negative lead plates in battery acid in a case. They are reliable, have been around for a very long time, and are the least expensive type of battery. Most vehicles will run without problems with a conventional lead acid battery.
Advanced flooded batteries, or EFB batteries, represent a step up from the standard traditional lead-acid design. They are stronger on the inside and provide double cyclic stability compared to a standard battery. They can better withstand strong shocks and can even be used for one of the most demanding technologies currently available, stop-start technology. EFB batteries are more expensive than regular car batteries, but you should expect them to last longer on average.
Absorbent glass fiber batteries or AGM batteries are among the highest quality batteries on the market. They can handle the most aggressive on-road and off-road loads you can take on without missing a beat, including stop-start technology. They can withstand the rigors of high-demand electrical components such as DVD players and dedicated audio systems, and can best recover from severe battery drains. AGM batteries are among the most expensive batteries and are used primarily in high performance, luxury and exotic vehicles.
Part 4 of 4: Choose the right brand and warranty
Step 1: Select a recognized brand of battery manufacturer.. While battery quality may or may not be better, an established brand will have better customer support if you experience battery issues while under warranty.
- FunctionsA: Popular battery brands are Interstate, Bosch, ACDelco, DieHard and Optima.
Step 2. Choose the class that's right for you. If you plan on using your car for 5 to 10 years, choose a higher quality battery that is designed to last longer.
If you are going to sell or trade your car in the near future, choose the minimum battery level that suits you.
Step 3: Choose the Battery with the Best Warranty Coverage. Batteries have different coverage conditions even from the same manufacturer.
Select the warranty with the longest full replacement period followed by a proportional period.
Some warranties provide a free replacement within 12 months, while others may be available for 48 months or possibly even longer.
If you are uncomfortable handling or selecting a car battery, you can enlist the help of an experienced professional. Have a certified mechanic remove or replace the battery for you if you want to make sure you get the right battery for your vehicle.
