- #CAR BATTERIES HOW TO#
- #CAR BATTERIES INSTALL#
- #CAR BATTERIES FULL#
- #CAR BATTERIES CODE#
- #CAR BATTERIES PLUS#
SLI batteries are not designed for deep discharging, and a full discharge can reduce the battery's lifespan. They are sometimes referred to as "SLI batteries" for this reason, for starting, lighting and ignition. For this reason, automotive batteries are designed to deliver maximum current for a short period of time. Typically, starting uses less than three percent of the battery capacity. 4.4 Reserve capacity minutes (RCM or RC)īattery in modern cars Gasoline and diesel engine.4.3 Cranking amperages (CCA, CA, MCA, HCA).Fresher is better, although up to six months old should be fine.īelow are the best performing batteries in each tested group. A is for January, B is for February, and so on (the letter I is skipped).
#CAR BATTERIES CODE#
A battery made in July 2022 will have a numeric code of 7/22 or an alphanumeric code of G2 or G-2. The date can be found on a sticker affixed to the top or side of the battery. This is essentially a deposit that’s refunded when you turn in the battery for recycling.īefore buying, check the battery date code.
When buying a car battery, it’s common to incur a “core” charge.
#CAR BATTERIES INSTALL#
Some auto parts chains may allow you to order a battery they don’t stock they might also install it.
#CAR BATTERIES PLUS#
The good news is that many auto parts stores-including Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly Auto Parts-offer free installation of most of the batteries they sell, as does Batteries Plus Bulbs. Plus, even older vehicles can require some level of reprogramming by a mechanic to allow all systems to work when a battery is changed. “With most cars, battery replacement is a pretty straightforward job, but for some cars, the installation is more involved.” For example, some cars hide the battery under a seat, in the trunk, or behind a wheel well, which may require the removal of parts before installation. “If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you should go to a qualified mechanic,” says John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at CR’s Auto Test Center. And although it can save you money over paying a local retailer-as much as $40, Allwood says-it might not be a good idea for those who aren’t experienced in installing a car battery. For example, Duracell car batteries-one of which gets a CR Best Buy designation-are made by East Penn, a major battery manufacturer.ĬR’s experts caution against buying a battery online.
Regardless of where you buy them and which brands they belong to, a majority of batteries are built by a handful of manufacturers, Allwood says. Compared with the batteries sold at dealers or by mechanics, “EverStart’s warranties are just as good, and in some cases might be a little better,” says Mark Allwood, a senior market analyst at CR who covers car batteries. For example, three EverStart batteries get a CR Best Buy designation, and they’re sold only at Walmart. This year’s results continue to show that buying a battery from a car dealership or mechanic might not be your best bet.
#CAR BATTERIES HOW TO#
You’ll also find information below on how to know which type of battery your car needs and tips for buying a replacement battery. The batteries are from ACDelco, Delphi, Duracell, Napa, and Odyssey. “We’ve got some less expensive batteries in our ratings that score very well.”īelow you’ll find the top-performing battery in each category we test: Group 24 and 24F, Group 35, Group 47 (H5), Group 48 (H6), Group 49 (H8), Group 51R, and Group 65. “Price doesn’t necessarily mean better performance,” Bogdan says. But some top-rated lead-acid batteries cost less than many of their competitors, says Sarah Bogdan, who oversees CR’s car battery testing. They’re known for having a long service life and being able to tolerate deep discharges-when the battery has been significantly drained to 10.5 volts or below, such as when the lights are left on overnight. Many of the highest-scoring are pricey absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries. (While batteries typically fail in cold temperatures, it’s the hot temperatures that cause the degradation.) That’s where our extreme testing can separate the batteries with promise from those that come up short. There are many factors that have an impact on battery life, with weather being one of the most significant. We also put them in a freezer to see how they’ll perform at 0º F, and we track how long they’ll last if you leave your car’s headlights on or the charging system fails. We charge and discharge the batteries thousands of times while in a 167º F water bath to simulate underhood temperatures and find out how long they’ll last.
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