Known as battery sourcing, getting a suitable new car battery is not easy. Deciding which battery to buy is not as difficult a task as it may seem and sometimes is not very complex at all if one knows what to look for. Read the following auto battery guide and make purchasing your new or used car batteries stress-free.
First of all, it is necessary to understand at what interval you have to change the battery of the car. In addition to noticing the informative signs of a weak battery (dimming lights, trouble starting, etc. there are a few additional things to look out for that may require a new battery to be installed:
Among the unmistakable indicators that your mobile auto battery replacement is a crack in the case of the battery. A crack can result in the flow of acid, which is risky to not only your car but also your life.
Most of the time, a bulging battery indicates that it has reached freezing point, the battery cannot hold a charge as it should.
If the battery of your car no longer stays charged, then it is high time you get a new battery.
Of course, loose terminals can lead to various electrical problems and will not let your car start.
In batteries that have the filler caps, their lack causes leakage and low performance hence the need to replace the filler caps.
Car batteries are classified based on the dimension. The Battery Council International established the BCI Group size to help in locating the accurate size of the battery needed in a car. Car batteries are very diverse when it comes to size and shape so it is worth it for one to ensure that he or she acquires the correct one for the car in question. Ways to measure battery capacity The first method of determining battery size is by measuring the length, width, and thickness of the battery in millimeters and then multiplying the three dimensions by the power of four to get the capacity.
Battery group size will be specified on the label of the battery currently in your vehicle, often on top or side of the battery. The simplest and the most effective method of discovering the right battery for your car is with the help of a license plate. All you have to do is key in your license plate number and your state and you will be presented with all batteries that will fit the car perfectly. If you do not want to search for the Toyota car model by the car number, you are welcome to type in the Year, Make, and Model. You also have the option to input VIN if it is registered with you.
All cars have integrated specific power for starting the car, particularly during the cold period. This is expressed as Cold Cranking Amperage abbreviated as CCA. If you fail to fit a battery that has the least CCA prescribed by the vehicle maker, you may find the car non-receptive to power and therefore, cannot use it to start it.
You can find your vehicle’s minimum CCA rating and more by using a few different methods:
Yes, you can always put a battery that has a higher CCA than the one specified by the manufacturer but it is recommended that you should not, under any circumstances, put a battery with a CCA less than the manufacturer’s recommended figure.
Most of the vehicles in use today therefore employ the flooded, conventional lead-acid batteries. These batteries have every cell submerged in a liquid electrolyte solution restricted in a hard container. This type of battery does have the lower CCAs and in general, the warranties are shorter here as well. The flooded battery is arguably the cheapest battery available in the market and has been in the market for a very long time. Some cars today receive this type of battery right from the manufacturing company and can easily integrate this type of battery into their system.
These are popular and are cheaper, but they offer lower CCAs and have shorter guarantees.
Some of the new cars, with many accessories such as heating seats, remote start, and stop/start technology use AGM batteries. AGM batteries are much more powerful than flooded ones, with higher CCAs, and instead of a free-flowing liquid electrolyte, it has fiberglass mats that are soaked in the electrolyte. Lack of a free moving or serial connection of electrolytes means they are very low maintenance, very long-lasting, and unaffected by most drastic temperature changes.
It is possible to go from a flooded battery to AGM if your car comes with a flooded battery. However, you cannot demote it from AGM to flooded. If your car is equipped with an AGM battery from the factory, then other batteries that need to be fitted are AGM batteries only.
You have reached the last stage. So, you have to decide, but make no mistake. It is advisable to compare each of the batteries that you are interested in.
For daily drivers that you will be using for many long years it’s crucial to get a long warranty and as much power as possible.
Again, for automobiles that utilize a lot of power such as add-ons such as remote start, heat control seats, and off-road accessories, among others, the cold cranking amps must be available in large numbers.
It is therefore important that anyone spending for a car battery has adequate knowledge of the specifications and ratings. Here’s a breakdown of the key terms you need to know:
The reserve capacity of a battery helps to know for how long it can keep your car running if there is a failure in the alternator. This rating is also measured in minutes and is a critical parameter for those who travel by car a lot and in sharply varying climates.
Amp-hours are used to describe the energy capacity of a battery. This is especially so where the car has a high energy demand as can be seen with cars fitted with numerous electronics such as car battery specifications containment systems.
After selecting and fitting a new battery, the following steps are vital in maintaining it; Here are some tips:
It is required to inspect the battery occasionally to verify that there are no appearances of rust, loose connections, or physical damage.
Check and clean the battery terminal and ensure that they are properly connected.
Short journeys do not allow the battery to charge to its full capacity; this is harmful to the battery. Once in a while attempt to drive your car for more hours to allow the battery to charge fully.
If you’re not going to be using your car for a while, remove the battery or get a battery tender to put a charge in it.
Some rather obvious things that people often overlook are such as the environment in which you will be driving the car in matters.
If then, the ambient temperature that the battery can be subject to is either high or low, an AGM battery is advised. Flooded batteries will be eclipsed by AGM batteries in almost every category, while at the same time being used in extreme weather.
Not sure which battery is right for you? Visit our stock of UPI Auto Parts the next time and you shall be assisted by our qualified personnel who will ensure that you get the most suitable battery for your car. They will even fit it for you within a short time as you watch from a distance.
If you are in a dilemma on what battery should I get for my car? then worry not. Following the above steps and taking note of your vehicle needs, you will be in a position to choose the right battery for your car. So you can be sure that for all your battery requirements UPI Auto Parts is the right place for the solutions and the best advice.
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