Anyone who keeps their car for more than a few years will need to get a new battery. You get the best liquid car wax and the best windshield wipers for your vehicle, so it only makes sense you should also get the best battery on the market. The same battery will not work for different vehicles because each car has different demands. When looking for a new battery, it is vital to keep three important factors in mind so that you do not end up with a dud.
Know Your Size
Batteries come in many different sizes. The sizes may not seem all that different when you see them lined up at the store, but it will become readily apparent when it is inside your vehicle. It is paramount you get a battery that is the right size. Otherwise, the battery may come loose out of the battery tray and cause damage to the engine. The battery needs for cars will vary depending on the year, make and model of your vehicle. Even cars that are the same make but different years may require different battery sizes that are off by a fraction of an inch.
You will know what size you need by looking at your application guide. It will tell you precisely what battery you need. Getting the right size is only the first step to getting back on the road safely.
Make Sure the Connection Is Clean and Tight
You do not want there to be loose cable connections between the battery posts and the cable terminals. Before installing your new battery, you will want to remove any corrosion that may have already developed. Corrosion will inhibit the ability of the battery to do its job.
When you go shopping for a new battery, you want to ensure the connection will not be loose. If it is, then you greatly increase your odds of corrosion developing. You can easily clean off corrosion using protection sprays and terminal cleaners.
Check the CCA Rating
Finding a replacement battery is a lot harder than finding a car headlight bulb replacement. There are many components to check, including the cold cranking amp rating. The CCA represents the speed at which the battery will be able to emit power in cold temperatures. If you live someplace where it is freezing cold most of the time, then you definitely need to check this.
When a battery has an inadequate CCA rating, it contributes to excessive wear and tear on the starter. This results in longer start times. In some cases, it will even prevent the car from starting at all when it is too cold out. You can see what CCA rating is recommended for vehicles in your area, so you do not end up stuck in the driveway.
As long as you keep these three factors in mind, you will find the perfect battery for your car. All you need to do now is head over to your local auto parts store and purchase the right battery before your current one dies completely.
