WorldExecutivesDigest.com | How Do I Know Which Battery I Need for My Car? |
When leaves begin their colorful transition to orange and yellow, the time is ripe for thinking about preparing your car, truck or van for winter driving. This maintenance mindset holds true even for those living where winters are temperate; in the fall your car is just coming off hot summer driving. That heat can place a toll on all of your vehicle’s components—none more than your battery, which continually cycles under the harshest of conditions. When purchasing a new vehicle battery consider the following so that you don’t find your car battery dead prematurely.
Does the Type of Battery Matter for My Car?
It is essential that you choose the battery that fits your ride. For normal driving, you may waste money by purchasing one that is more powerful than you need. However, if you cut corners by installing one that is underpowered, you will likely find yourself stranded when you least expect it if certain conditions apply. For example, batteries have a limited lifespan as a consequence of cold and hot-weather driving. Extreme heat can evaporate the life-sustaining liquids inside a battery, and cold weather reduces the current a battery produces.
Additionally, today’s cars are loaded with energy-draining components, such as monitoring computer chips and Wi-Fi technology. When your engine is running, the alternator provides current, but when your car is off, the battery works alone, going so far as keeping radio presets in place and digital clocks current; if your car is optioned with advanced accessories you will place a heavy load on the battery.
How to Find the Right Size, Brand, and Rating Of Car Battery
Other, more specific factors also determine the necessary auto battery. Once you gather these requirements, create a list for easy access when finalizing your purchase. Start by perusing your owners manual, since it should list the appropriate standard requirements. Paying attention to physical size, note the group number; this is a standardized figure for each battery that indicates the range of manufacturers and models to which it applies.
Think of rating in terms of available power. This is measured by the available reserve capacity and cold cranking amps. Reserve capacity is important in relation to that auxiliary component factor. The higher the rating in minutes, the longer you can use battery power when the engine is off. The cold cranking amps rating, as it sounds, represents the ability of the battery to turn over the engine enough to start in extreme cold, rated at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many brands on the market fit these requirements. However, be wary of no-name batteries that you may find at a local gas station.
Does it Matter Where I Buy a Car Battery?
A reputable auto supply store that provides buying guides and personal advice will prove to be your best car battery and motorcycle batteries replacement resource for a reliable brand. In fact, you will find visiting a full-service store to be an important part of the process, where you can have your current battery tested along with your charging system. Be aware, batteries last three-to-five years.
In the end, you will be relieved that you utilized the range of shop support to reduce your chances of sitting stranded with a dead battery on a snowy day.
