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Car battery is in literal terms the ‘energy’ of your car. As long as it works properly, you do not even notice it. However, once you start getting trouble starting the car, you suddenly realize car battery importance.

Let us start with your existing car battery. If you have an older battery (more than 2 years old), make sure you have a professionally trained mechanic test it before temperatures dip below freezing. Modern electrical and fuel systems can start a car with minimal cranking, so you might not know that your battery needs replacing until it’s too late. That’s why it’s important to have your car’s battery tested annually by a qualified mechanic as part of regular maintenance, when it’s two years old if you live in a warmer climate or four years old if you’re in a colder climate.

Never let this Happen to Car Battery

Amazingly hot temperatures tax batteries more than cold weather, but a battery weakened by summer’s heat is more likely to fail once freezing weather arrives. And with winter just around the corner, now is the time to have your car’s battery checked.

How to choose car battery?

1. First check your car’s owner’s manual or an in-store fit guide to determine the size you need. The wrong size might not fit securely or provide sufficient power to start your car
2. Check whether your battery uses top- or side-mounted terminals. The battery cables might not reach if the terminals are in the wrong place.
3. If you are looking for maintenance-free batteries, then consider Absorbed Glass Mat batteries (AGM) batteries. AGM batteries contain their electrolyte in an absorbent lining. Manufacturers claim their design makes them spill-proof and safer, and that the lining helps secure plates, increasing vibration resistance. Consider AGM if your battery is hard to reach
4. Consider your climate. Extreme hot and cold climates are also tough on battery life. High temperatures increase corrosion of plates and vaporize the electrolyte faster. Cold temperatures sap a battery’s energy.
5. Reserve Capacity: Reserve capacity rating (RC) refers to the battery’s ‘standing power’. This is the amount of minutes the battery can continuously supply minimum voltage needed to run a car should the car’s alternator or fan belt fail. With an excellent reserve capacity rating, your car can run on the battery alone when the alternator stops working. The RC rating of a battery is listed in minutes. You may not find the RC rating on the battery because it is not usually printed on the label. Check the product literature or ask the store assistant to find out the true RC rating of a particular battery. The longer the operating time of the battery’ reserve capacity, the better; because this is the one quality of the battery that could save you from getting stranded. Consider the RC rating as your car’s emergency kit. In times of unexpected trouble, you can still run to safety instead of getting stuck somewhere. IMPORTANT: You cannot just pick and buy a battery with the longest reserve capacity you can find. Consult your owner’s manual to learn the recommended reserve capacity rating for your particular car model. It is best practice to choose the exact RC rating that your vehicle can handle.
6. Cold-Cranking Amps: Cold-cranking amps (CCA) measure the battery’s ability to start your car even on an extremely cold weather. During freezing condition, your car will be hard to start (or to ignite) because the car’s engine oil thickens and chemical reactions, in turn, slow down. The cold-cranking amps also refer to the number of amps a battery will be able to support for 30 seconds at 0 degree temperature (until battery voltage reaches below minimum level). Choosing a battery with a high number of CCA is better; particularly to those vehicles being driven in a cold climate. A higher cold- cramping amps assure that your car’s engine will start obediently even on snowy mornings. Obviously, you won’t have to bother with much CCA if you’re living in a tropical or warm climate.
7. Evaluate your driving habits: Particularly if you make a lot of short trips, which doesn’t allow much time for your electrical system to recharge the battery.
8. Fresh is the best. All batteries lose their strength over time, even new models that are just sitting on a shelf. Look for the ones that’s no more than six months old. Most batteries will have a shipping code on the case. Some have a numeric date, others a letter for the month (A for January) and a number for the year (9 for 2009)
9. A handle comes in handy. An attached plastic loop eases carrying and lifting. Because the average weight of batteries is 40 pounds, this helps if you install or remove the battery yourself.
10. Check our website to find out great money saving coupons on car battery.

Bosch- AMG Car Battery

How to dispose off your battery?

Dispose of your old battery safely. Car Battery contain toxic lead and acid, but can be easily recycled. Some retailers will install a new battery free and dispose of the old one for you, but other outlets charge for the service. Most states require retailers to take old batteries in trade. Check before you buy. If you do the installation yourself, expect a small “core” charge from the retailer that’s usually refundable when you bring in the old battery.

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