The Complete Guide to Purchasing Car Batteries: Everything to Know
Your check engine light blinks on as you drive to work. You don’t have the money for expensive repairs at the moment, so you ignore it and continue on like normal. After a few more weeks, something happens that you can’t ignore.
Your vehicle begins putting out a terrible odor. That rotten egg smell is a huge indicator that your car battery is going out. If you don’t get a new one soon, it could cause some of the other parts in your car to fail.
We’ve got a few tips for purchasing car batteries that will help you with your shopping endeavors. Keep reading to learn what you should be on the lookout for.
Freshness
If you buy a battery that’s older than 6 months, it’s not going to last for too long before you have to purchase another one. The good news is that all car battery types have a date on them that you can go by.
You’ll see a letter followed by a series of numbers. The letter stands for the month that the battery was manufactured, and the number is the year.
Size
Size is one of the most important factors to consider when replacing car batteries. If the battery is too small, the vibrations from the car will cause it to rattle around, which will wear it out.
If you buy from a dealership, you can almost guarantee that the battery will be the right size, but that costs money. You can save a few bucks by purchasing the battery yourself, but you’ll need to consult your user manual first. It will include a size chart you can go by.
Reserve Capacity
A battery’s reserve capacity is a measure of how long it can run without needing power from your car. If you have a bad habit of leaving your lights on, this is a feature that you’ll need to pay careful attention to.
A high amount of reserve capacity will prevent the battery from going dead easily.
Warranty
When something happens to your battery, you’re going to need a new one ASAP. If it’s still under warranty, you can get a replacement without paying for it.
Most of the time, there are two different warranty periods. If it’s out of the replacement window, you’ll have to pay for the battery, but you won’t have to fork over the full price.
Maintenance
Car battery maintenance is a make-or-break for a lot of people. Some car owners don’t like the idea of pouring water into their battery every now and again and taking it in for servicing. It’s too much trouble.
Buying a maintenance-free XS Power battery might be more expensive, but it’s not as much of a hassle.
Essential Tips for Purchasing Car Batteries
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing car batteries. If you buy one that’s the wrong size or don’t account for reserve capacity, you’re going to have a bad time.
Keep these tips in mind when you’re shopping around, and for more advice that will keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, visit the Repair & Maintenence section of our blog.