Features To Consider When Replacing Your Car Battery

28 July 2016
 Categories: , Blog


When it's time to replace your car battery, you'll be faced with several choices from the automotive parts store. A number of factors will affect your choice, such as your budget and the type of weather in your region. Here is how to pick the best battery replacement for your car so you'll be confident that it will start your car every time.

Size and Shape Matters

Auto manufacturers allow just enough room in the engine compartment for the battery. You'll need the right size of battery for it to fit in the space. The auto shop staff will help you find the shape and size of battery that works for your car. You'll then have other features to consider.

Features That Affect How the Battery Works

There are three characteristics of a car battery that determine how well it works. These features also determine the price of the battery.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) - Your car's engine is difficult to turn over when it's cold. Freezing weather can make a battery work harder to turn the engine over enough for it to start. The CCA is a rating of how well a battery works at cold temperatures. Batteries with higher CCA ratings work better in cold weather. They are also more expensive. If you live where the winters are particularly harsh, you may want the extra cranking power.

Reserve Capacity - This is a measure of how much energy is stored in the battery. When your car is running, the alternator provides electricity for your car's systems and accessories. When the car engine is off, the power comes from the battery. If the alternator fails, the car will also rely on the battery for electricity. Batteries with a higher reserve capacity have more energy to power your car when it's turned off or if the alternator fails. A battery with a high reserve will give you more time to get the car to the auto shop if you have an alternator problem. The higher reserve also means a higher price.

Warranty - This value gives you some indication of how many months your battery will last before needing to be replaced. This is an average value, though, and the real life of the battery depends on many factors, such as weather extremes, driving frequency and your driving style. The better the warranty the higher the price.

Which Battery is Right For You?

The least expensive battery will still start your car. It may not last long or perform well in cold weather. If you want to be sure that your car will start however bad it gets in the winter, buy the battery with the higher CCA. If you don't want to worry about changing the battery for several years, buy one with the longest warranty.

To learn more, contact a company like 195 Auto Parts


Share