Did you know that, on average, you can expect to spend nearly $400 on car maintenance and repairs every single year?
Fortunately, there are some ways you can help control car maintenance costs. For example, when it comes to replacing your car battery, there are a number of factors to consider when deciding which one to get for your car.
By weighing all the options, you can make a more informed decision, choosing the right battery to meet your needs, for the right price.
Keep reading to learn more about the main things to consider when you’re shopping for a new car battery.
1. Power
When it comes to choosing a car battery, it’s important to pay attention to Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and Cranking Amps (CA). This is not to be confused with waterproof amplifiers.
CA refers to the amount of energy needed to start a car at a temperature of 32°F, while CCA refers to the amount it takes to start a car at 0°F.
Depending on where you live, you’ll need to keep this in mind when choosing a new battery. If you live in a cold climate, you should choose a battery with CCA. But, if you live in a fairly moderate climate, a battery with CA should do the trick.
2. Size
Did you know that different cars have different battery sizes? As a result, check the owner’s manual for your car before spending some time comparing battery sizes and choosing which one you need.
If you don’t see the battery size requirements in your owner’s manual, a local mechanic can also help you determine the size you need.
By choosing the right battery size, you can prevent the battery from vibrating and jostling around while you’re driving, which could cause damage to your car.
3. Age
You would never buy milk without first checking the expiration date, right? The same basic philosophy applies when buying a car battery. You want to make sure you don’t buy a battery that’s too old.
This is also known as checking a battery’s freshness. Every battery has a code on it featuring a letter and number. This identifier indicates the month and year that the battery was manufactured.
Ideally, you don’t want to buy a battery that’s more than 6 months old, or you could experience issues with it. Make sure to ask about the age of a battery before you make a purchase.
4. Warranties
Sometimes, even if you buy the best of the best, your new car battery might fail. In this case, it pays (literally!) to have a warranty. If it’s available, try to buy a battery that comes with a free replacement period, should something go wrong.
Some warranties also cover a prorated period after the free replacement period, so you only have to pay a partial amount for the replacement.
Regular battery maintenance can help prevent issues with your car battery down the line, but a warranty is a good extra level of protection.
5. Capacity
If you want a powerful battery that you won’t have to worry about, then pay attention to capacity when shopping around.
Capacity in batteries refers to the amount of power in a battery and how long it can run. Essentially, cars with higher capacity can recharge quickly and provide more output, without showing a dip in the charge.
You’ll also want to pay attention to the reserve capacity of a battery. This refers to the amount of time a battery can run on its own, without the engine.
If you choose a battery with a high reserve capacity, you won’t have to worry about it dying if you leave the lights on or experience engine issues.
6. Brand
As with almost every purchase you make, the brand of the battery you choose influences the cost. Of course, sometimes, the extra you pay for a particular brand is worth it.
Some car battery brands are known to be of higher quality, and therefore last longer. You’ll want to look for a car battery brand with a good reputation, so you won’t have to worry about it failing.
Also, many well-respected car battery brands have their own warranties, giving you further peace of mind.
7. Maintenance
There are primarily two types of car batteries: Ones that require maintenance and ones that are maintenance-free.
Maintenance-free batteries are sealed and they have liquid electrolyte flowing through them, so you don’t have to worry about keeping the battery in good working order.
Batteries that require maintenance, on the other hand, typically need service every 6 months or so. In that case, you’ll need to unseal the caps of the battery and add distilled water so it continues to function properly.
If you don’t want to deal with battery maintenance, buying a maintenance-free option is your best bet.
8. Location of the Battery Terminals
Depending on the type of car you have, you’ll need to pay extra attention to the location and position of the battery terminals before purchasing a new battery.
That’s because if the positive terminal on the battery comes in contact with the metal in your car, it can cause a short circuit, which leads to electric damage.
Before you purchase a battery, pay attention to the location of the terminals, and ask your battery dealer for assistance if needed, to help prevent a dangerous accident.
Now You’re Ready to Buy a Car Battery
After reading through this guide, you know the most important factors to consider when it comes time to replace your car battery.
By doing a little research and planning beforehand, you can help ensure that you choose the right option for your car. This will keep your car running properly, and prevent the headache of dealing with a dead battery later.
Looking for more helpful content like this? Make sure to read through our other articles before you go
