Car batteries are expected to wear out around three to five years after they’ve been manufactured. Regardless of how good the maintenance and climatic conditions are, these batteries aren’t simply engineered to last forever. Hence, at some point, they will begin to show some problems, either with the charging, functionality, or reliability. With that being said, it’s just normal that you replace it with a new car battery once that happens.
If you have been experiencing some dead battery symptoms, then it might be the right time to finally buy a new car battery. Here’s a brief guide to follow when you decide to do so.
Pick a recognised brand
Most cars come with a specific brand’s batteries, and replacing them with the same battery is the best way to make sure you got the best one for your car. However, if you think that the brand used in your car is expensive and you can’t afford it, you can go for other brands as well. Just make sure that when you do this, you will follow the specifications and requirement that you could easily find in your car’s owner manual.
You must never fall for cheaper brands, as they can cause more harm than good for your car. Cheap batteries might have many defects and perform very poor. That being said, you have to be extra careful when selecting which brand to choose for your auto battery.
Consider the age of battery
The age of a battery can give you an insight into how long would it be able to perform without any hassle. A battery is considered as new or fresh if it’s less than 6 months old, and it’s always recommended to choose this one. The majority of manufacturers indicate the manufactured date in the label of the battery. Always check that to know exactly the age of the battery.
Pick the right grade
If you plan on keeping your vehicle for 5 to 10 years, then order car battery online with a higher grade as this is designed to last longer. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to sell or trade it anytime soon, it’s better to choose a minimum battery-grade that will only last for the meantime.
Find your batteries minimum cold-cranking amps
Your vehicle requires a certain amount of amperage to start, especially in cold weather. There’s a big possibility that you will be stranded due to a dead engine if your battery doesn’t possess enough amperage to turn over in cold weather. This is why to find the best car batteries, make sure to check how many amps it requires so you can avoid such circumstances.
Buy a battery with good reviews
Oftentimes, best car batteries are tried and approved by consumer organisations and auto enthusiasts. It’s ideal to check a consumer reporting website or auto blog based in your nation for information about the types of car batteries sold there. You can also browse through the product reviews of your prospective car battery store for this.
Shop around
When you buy car battery online, compare the prices offered on different stores. If you can, it’s better if you go through the prices online or call the store to ask the usual price ranges that they charge for such batteries. Doing so will save you a lot of time and effort.
Buy a maintenance-free battery
Maintenance-free batteries are sealed and require no special attention. While most of the batteries are maintenance-free, there are still some that require periodic filling with water. Whenever possible, save yourself the future hassle by purchasing a maintenance-free battery if you can.
Whether it’s an old car battery or just a dead one, replacing it with a new one seems to be the most sensible thing to do. This is especially important if you use your vehicle as a mode of transportation as you surely don’t want to have delays in your schedules due to an engine that won’t startup. Once you have decided to buy a new car battery, keep in mind that you have to get the highest quality one to guarantee durability and efficiency throughout your ride. By considering all of the factors above, you will certainly have an easier time doing this.
