Car Battery

Car Battery – Get the most out of it
Be Proactive
Being attentive to your battery’s maintenance and mindful when the time for replacement is approaching will ensure that you can choose a replacement on your own terms, including properly researching and conveniently scheduling.

Test the car battery annually
Inspections should be part of an owner’s routine maintenance, but it is especially important to check before taking a long road trip.

Though almost all of today’s car batteries are “maintenance-free,” we recommend having your battery load-tested by a mechanic annually. Doing so tests its ability to hold voltage while being used, and the results will let you know when it’s time to start shopping.

A Car Battery Should Fit Your Car and Driving Needs
Car batteries come in many sizes. Make sure you get the right size and terminal locations (or type) for your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual or an in-store fit guide before shopping.

Make Sure It’s a Fresh Car Battery
Car batteries lose strength over time, even when in storage. For optimum performance, purchase one that is less than 6 months old. Three months is even better.

Compare Warranties
It is important to choose a battery with the longest free-replacement period you can get.
Be aware that signs of neglect—such as low water levels and improper installation—can void a warranty. So can heavy-duty use, such as for high-end car audio, if the battery is not recommended for it.

Get to Know the Battery Types
Car batteries come in two basic varieties: the more traditional lead acid and “maintenance free” car batteries.

Lead-Acid (Regular)
Car batteries once required drivers to periodically top off the water in the electrolyte solution, the liquid inside that is the battery’s power source. There are still some batteries than can be topped off with distilled water; properly maintained, these may last longer in hot climates.

A lead-acid battery will generally cost significantly less than a “maintenance free” battery. However, it will not hold a charge for as long and is less able to tolerate a deep discharge.

Maintenance Free Batteries
These are built to better stand up to repeated draining and recharging cycles than standard batteries. They are becoming standard equipment in more cars because modern features such as fuel-saving stop-start systems, electronic safety and convenience features, and power outlets for mobile electronics all increase the demand for power.

“Maintenance-free batteries” can cost 40 to 100 per cent more than highly rated conventional batteries. Consider buying one if you sometimes don’t use your vehicle for long periods and the battery loses its charge. This battery can better tolerate a deep discharge, and it is more likely to fully recover if it is accidentally drained.