How to Shop for a Car Battery

How to Shop for a Car Battery
Article by Brian Banfield, Express Auto Finance and Service


Battery "no starts" are the most common reason for emergency road service during the winter months. A perfectly healthy battery in 80-degree weather will have only half of its output when the thermometer dips to zero. Let's face it; if your car battery is dead or even weak, you're not going anywhere.

First off, let me say, cars are a lot more advanced than they were 5 years ago so make sure someone qualified is diagnosing and or replacing your battery. Newer cars often require diagnosis to determine if, in fact, it is a battery problem. Sometimes things like a loose or corroded connection, loose alternator belt, a faulty alternator or starter will produce the symptoms of a weak or dead battery.

Through testing, a technician can tell if your battery is in fact dead or if there is an excessive drain on the vehicle's electrical system caused by a faulty component. This may save you from replacing a perfectly good battery.

If you are sure it is a battery problem, here are some facts for your shopping trip. Batteries are rated by cold amps (CCA rating), this number indicates the battery's power. It takes 400 amps to start your car and 15 amps to run the headlights. The higher the rating, the more amps your battery will produce. The size and number of plates in a battery is what determines how many amps it can deliver. By having more and/or larger plates, you can increase the normal life of the battery. This is what distinguishes a 3-year from a 5-year warranty battery.

People in colder climates will benefit from a higher CCA rating since starting a car in cold weather can take up to twice as much current to turn over a cold engine. However, to prevent wasting your money on excessive CCA, it is wise to check your owner's manual for your vehicle's requirements.

The reserve capacity rating (RC) indicates how long you can run car accessories and still have enough power to start the engine. For most people in mild climates, it is best to have a higher RC than more CCA.

Compare the manufacturer's warranties…..all of them are NOT created equal. Most manufacturers prorate warranties. If failure occurs halfway or more through the warranty period, buying a new one on sale may cost less than paying the difference under a prorated warranty.

After considering these factors, visit a facility or store with knowledgeable salespeople who can help you with your selection. Inform them of your driving habits and climate and then together select the battery that best suits your vehicle.

When installing or having a new battery installed it's important that the battery cables are cleaned and then protected with anti-corrosive spray. Some cars may also require you to go through a procedure, or use a scan tool, to reprogram your vehicle's computer system.

If you aren't experiencing battery problems but have batteries that are over 5 years old (the average life of a battery is 4 years), it’s a good idea to have a load test performed on your battery. A load test will determine how strong your battery actually is and if it will continue to perform under harsh conditions.

A weak battery is just not dependable, especially in our unpredictable winter weather. Remember, the greatest percentage of emergency road service calls come when the first severe cold snap hits. Please don't be a statistic. Be safe and have your battery load tested