When your vehicle won’t start, the last thing you want to do is go out and get a new battery. According to our findings, most individuals do just that.
During the life of your vehicle, you’ll likely need to replace your car battery due to heat exposure and continuous charging and discharging. If you can’t locate your jumper cables or have to wait for roadside help, a dead battery may be a great pain.
Keeping an eye on the state and age of your battery will help you know when it’s time to start looking for a new one… before you become stuck.
Here are a few pointers to help you get the finest battery for your requirements.
Related: Automotive battery for sale
Check the Engine Compartment
Assert Yourself
Keeping a close eye on your battery’s condition and being aware when it’s time to replace it will allow you to make an informed decision, as well as schedule a convenient replacement.
Test Batteries Annually
Batteries should be tested annually as part of routine maintenance, but it is especially important to check before embarking on a lengthy road trip.
According to AAA, car batteries typically last from three to five years, ranging from 58 months or more in the farthest northern regions of the United States to less than 41 months in the most southern regions of the country.
If you live in a warm area, we suggest having your battery load-tested yearly at 2 years old, and at 4 years old if you live in a cold environment, even though practically all of today’s automobile batteries are “maintenance-free.” You’ll be able to tell when you need to start looking for a new one based on how well it holds electricity when in use.
Battery age is another clear sign that it’s time for a new one. In addition to the serial number, a date may be discovered on a label fastened to the battery. K-1 will be the alphanumeric number for a battery manufactured in October 2021. The letter “A” denotes the month of January, the letter “B,” the month of February, and so on (the letter “I” is skipped).
Your Car and Driving Requirements Must Be Considered When Choosing a Battery.
Various sizes of car batteries are available. There is a lot of variance in the best performance from year to year and from size to size among the products we’ve examined. This means that it is hard to offer straightforward suggestions based on brand or automobile model. In other words, don’t make the mistake of replacing your old battery with a brand new one from the same manufacturer.
Ensure that the size and kind of terminals (or locations) you choose are appropriate for your car. Before making a purchase, see your owner’s handbook or a retailer fit guide.
In warmer locations, owners may want to consider switching to a regular flooded battery instead of an AGM one, but this should only be done after consulting with a professional. An growing number of automobiles are equipped with AGM batteries, and the charging mechanism may be particularly designed for an AGM battery.
Check to See if the Battery Is New
Even when stored, batteries lose some of their potency over time. Make sure you get a new one within six months after purchasing for best results. It’s much better if it’s three months. The majority of them come with a shipping code. When it comes to dates, some prefer to use a letter (like January’s A) and a number (like the year’s 1 in 2021).
Recycle Your Old Batteries.
Lead and acid from a battery may be recycled simply, and most merchants will remove your old battery for you. It’s also uncommon to pay an additional fee when purchasing a new battery from a retailer, which will be returned when you bring back the old one.
Compare the warranties
A battery with the longest free-replacement duration should be chosen. When it comes to battery warranties, you’re looking at free replacement and prorated refund. For example, a 24/84 code signifies a free replacement term of 24 months and a prorated warranty of 84 months. Once you’ve entered the prorated period, the amount you’ll be paid normally decreases rapidly.
Low water levels and incorrect installation are examples of negligence that may invalidate a guarantee. While it isn’t suggested, excessive usage (such as for high-end automotive audio or maritime applications) might damage a battery.
How We Measure
Three methods are used by CR to test automobile batteries:
How successfully a battery starts an engine in subzero temperatures may be gauged by looking at its cold-cranking amps (CCA). Batteries are cooled to 0°F in a freezer to replicate winter conditions, and their performance is rated. Because we use more realistic charging voltages and amperage demands than normal manufacturers’ testing, we believe our CCA test provides a more accurate picture of a battery’s true cranking capability.
If the charging system—the alternator, stator, and rotor—goes out, the battery’s reserve capacity tells you how long it will keep the car running. Additionally, it’s a way to determine how long your vehicle will start without a jumper cable if you unintentionally leave the headlights on. Our engineers measure the time it takes to drain a completely charged battery to 10.5 volts, which is regarded to be totally discharged, in order to test the reserve capacity. Without a jump-start, the automobile won’t start at that point. In our estimation, 112 hours of electricity is the norm. It’s possible to get more than two hours of battery life from the best models.
Recharging and discharging each battery 3,000 times at roughly 167° F for 15 weeks or until the battery’s performance falls below acceptable levels is how battery life is monitored. Summer is the most difficult time of year for batteries due of the high temperatures, and this model mimics those circumstances. Excessive heat damages batteries, accelerating plate corrosion and depleting the electrolyte supply faster. A long battery life is particularly crucial if you often go on short journeys with little time to recharge your device before continuing your journey. The longer the battery lasts, the better the score.
