Car Battery

While there are tons of car parts that need regular maintenance, the battery should definitely be on top of your list. A car battery is one of the most vital parts needed for starting up your engine. So if you don’t want to have any problems with your road trip, you should make sure that it is in good condition at all times.

 

However, a car battery may die either because of poor maintenance or old age. No matter the reason, it is necessary that you know what you should look for in case yo need a new one. To help you with this matter, here is a list of things that you should consider when buying a battery replacement.

 

Pick a recognised brand

While the quality of the battery may or may not be any better, a recognised name brand will have better customer support in the event you have battery problems while you are under warranty.

 

Pick the right grade

If you plan on keeping your vehicle for 5 to 10 years, select the higher grade battery that is designed to last longer. In case you’re planning to trade or sell it in the future, it’s advisable to opt for a minimum battery grade that’ll be useful for the meantime.

 

Find your battery group size

Car batteries are all sorted by a group size. It indicates the measurements of the battery case, as well as the orientation of the battery terminals or posts. Keep in mind that determining the right group size is necessary to locate the ideal battery for your vehicle.

 

Find your battery’s minimum cold-cranking amps

Particularly during cold weather, your car needs a specific amount of amperage to start. If your battery doesn’t have this to turn over in cold weather, it won’t start and you’ll be stranded. This is why before you buy a car battery, make sure that you check how many amps it require, so you can avoid such circumstances.

 

Check battery freshness

Battery freshness is usually indicated by a code on the battery, which consists of a letter and number. The letter stands for the month, and the number stands for the year of manufacture e.g. B/4 stands for February 2014. In case you have no idea how to check this, you can just ask the seller. Just remember that you should never buy a battery which is older than six months from the date of manufacture.

 

Check reserve capacity

Reserve capacity refers to how long a battery can run using its power before discharge and without the engine. Having a high Reserve Capacity helps the car through various situations, such as a noncompliant engine, alternator failure and accidentally leaving lights on. Hence, make sure to check this on a car battery before buying it.

 

Look into the position of battery terminals

You may not have noticed closely, but the position of the positive terminal in the car battery plays an important role. This is because close contact with the metal body or other terminal of the wiring can result in short circuit, damaging various electronic items in the car. Depending on the type of your vehicle, locate and check the side of the battery’s positive terminal.

 

Consider the required maintenance

When it comes to batteries, there are types that require regular maintenance, and there are those that don’t need one. The battery which requires maintenance has to be serviced every 6 months, and it can become a liability at times. Meanwhile, the one which does not require maintenance is made up of sealed liquid electrolyte, and it does not need regular maintenance until life ends.

 

Are you having problems starting up your engine? Then that may be caused by a failing battery. In case you can’t do anything to get it fixed, even after doing everything you can, then maybe it is time for you to find a replacement right away. To do just that, do not forget to take note of the points listed above so you can ensure that you’ll get a quality car battery replacement. So what are you waiting for? Find a reputable shop now, get that new battery for your car, and go back on the road again without any worries.