5 Things to Look into When Buying a Car Battery!
When you are in the market for the best car batteries at Autobarn, there are several important things to consider. In addition to price, you want to make sure that you get a battery has a right cold cranking amps (CCA) rating for your vehicle and climate. You also need to think about the size of the battery and where it is located. The following are 5 things to look into when buying a car battery.
- Cold Cranking Amps
The first thing you should look at is cold cranking amps (CCA), which measure how much power your battery can deliver at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the CCA number on your battery, the easier it will be to start your vehicle on cold mornings. If you live in a cold climate, then you need a battery with at least 600 CCA.
You should also make sure that you check the reserve capacity (RC) rating of any battery that you buy. This tells you how long your car can run if all of its electrical systems fail or if its alternator stops working. Look for a battery with at least 90 minutes of reserve capacity if possible.
- Type of battery
The first step is to make sure you're purchasing the correct type of battery for your vehicle. Car batteries can either be 'conventional' (also known as flooded) or maintenance-free. A conventional battery has caps on its top that allow you to access its fluid levels, while a maintenance-free one is sealed and doesn't require any extra upkeep. Both types have advantages: a conventional battery is less expensive, but a maintenance-free one doesn't require any maintenance—so if you don't want to check your battery's liquid levels, this may be the better choice for you.
- Reserve Capacity (RC)
The RC of a battery is essentially its fuel gauge: it tells you how many minutes of power you have left on reserve before you need to recharge your battery. The average car battery today has an RC of around 90 minutes, but some can go up to 200 minutes. If you find yourself driving in heavy traffic often, it might be worth getting a battery with an extra-long RC so that you don't have to worry about being stuck on the side of the road while your car is running out of juice.
- Age
Your next consideration should be your car's age. A newer vehicle may require a battery with higher output than an older one does. This is because newer cars tend to have more power-hungry accessories and engines that are more efficient but demand more from their batteries.
- Battery Group Size
Let's start with the basics. Each car battery is designed to fit into a particular spot in your vehicle. The size of those spots is called a group size, which you can find in your vehicle's owner manual or in the battery tray (where the battery sits). This information tells you what physical size battery you need to buy. In addition to group size, your owner's manual also will provide a recommendation for cold cranking amps (CCA), reserve capacity, and amp hours.