In the same way a human needs a heart, a car needs a battery. Without it, your vehicle will get you stranded in the middle of the road. Just like many car parts, batteries do lose their power over time and need to be replaced. With the number of models and brands available on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right one.
Rocking up a few hundred dollars, unexpectedly, isn’t anyone’s preferred method. One thing is for sure, if you do take the time to find a car battery replacement yourself, instead of taking your vehicle to the auto service, you’ll save a lot of money.
Yes, professional technicians do have the automotive knowledge and will be able to suggest which brand and size battery your vehicle needs. But you’ll be paying a lot more for their services.
If you do a little bit of research, you can completely eliminate paying a service fee. If you purchase your own battery from a battery company and install it yourself. You’ll need to know which power source to buy either online or in store, as well as how to install it.
Look no further, we’ve got you covered.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE CORRECT UNIT?
If you don’t have a professional at hand to help you choose the right unit, then you can consider the following factors when looking for a company that sells them.
GROUP SIZE
Your power source should fit snugly into the tray provided underneath the hood of your vehicle. There are specific group sizes that fit for specific model cars.
The common sizes are the following:
Size 34/78 – Chryslers
Size 34 – Most Chryslers
Size 35 – Toyota, Nissan, and Honda
Size 65 – Pickup trucks like Fords, Mercury, and Lincoln
Size 75 – Most typical size used for many general and popular cars
It’s recommended that you check out your car’s manual for specifics or refer to the car’s original power source.
DON’T BUY SECOND HAND
This is one component of your car that shouldn’t be second hand. Some batteries can be recharged and then sold. Even if the unit can be recharged numerous times, it’s still important that you consider its age.
It might work great for the first few weeks, but it will ultimately lose its power and you will be left with the same problem once again. A unit is considered new if it’s less than 6 months old.
Make sure that you purchase from a company who publicizes the date that the unit was manufactured. Batteries with a newer manufacturing date are guaranteed to last longer and perform better. Older units can be dangerous to install.
For an instructional video on how you can read battery date codes watch this:
CCA
Especially if you drive your vehicle in extreme weather, it’s important to check its CCA counting. CCA stands for Cold-Cranking Amp. This is a measure of the power used to be able to start your vehicle in cold weather. Units with low CCA ratings need to be either jump started or warmed up before one can drive.
The CCA rating ultimately measures the amps a unit can support for 30 seconds, when it’s exposed to 0-degree weather.
It’s important that you don’t pick a battery that has a higher CCA rating than recommended in your user’s manual. If your specific CCA isn’t available, you can opt for a slightly higher rating.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT COMPANY
When you are browsing around and comparing prices, it’s important that you do keep in mind who you will ultimately buy your replacement battery from.
Here are a few helpful tips:
COMPARE PRICES
Some franchise stores will add a higher profit margin on their product. Even though you are guaranteed great service and a good product, you might get the exact same model for a much lower price somewhere else.
Don’t buy the first unit you find. Shop around and compare prices.
Check out this url for comparisons and reviews of some of the best automotive power sources available on the market.
CHECK THE LOCATION
Successful automotive companies usually have a garage, shop space, or legitimate online store. Avoid buying batteries from individuals who don’t have a background in the automotive industry. You might just end up giving your money to someone who is selling an old second hand unit for a quick buck.
The company selling the units will also have the relevant knowledge to give you advice on different brands and sizes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Never underestimate reviews and recommendations. Ask friends and colleagues if there is a battery company that they have used before. If the company has a string of good reviews, they will most probably be credible.
HOW TO INSTALL THE UNIT
Once you’ve bought the battery it’s time to install it. It’s a very easy process that can be done in a few steps:
- Make sure your vehicle is turned off
- Use a wrench to loosen the bolt for the negative terminal and remove cable
- Follow the same procedure for the positive terminal
- Unclip the system holding the unit in place
- Remove the unit carefully, ensuring that no acid drips out
- Install the new battery by placing it in the tray
- Connect positive terminal to cable and do the same with negative
- Clip it back into place
If you follow the above-mentioned tips and tricks, you’ll find the perfect battery company with the best prices. By installing the unit yourself, you can save a few more bucks.
To learn more about car batteries, visit batteryexpertsusa.com.
