Choosing A Car You Will Love
How Much Wiggle Room Do You Have When Choosing A Replacement Battery?
Louis Castro
There are plenty of car parts where your options can feel almost limitless. If you've ever had to replace a common component like an alternator or a water pump, you might have been shocked by how many choices you had available. At a minimum, you can select between factory, OEM, and multiple aftermarket brands for just about any part of your car.
Of course, there's one important catch: these parts are generally all pretty similar or, at a minimum, meet the same specifications. Batteries are a little different. Automotive batteries include different specifications such as cold cranking amps and reserve capacity, and multiple batteries may fit your car. Do these specifications matter? Can you choose any better that will fit?
What Shouldn't You Change?
Although you have some wiggle room when selecting the battery you want for your car, there are a few non-negotiable specifications. First and foremost, there's the group size or BCI (Battery Council International) number. This set of characters tells you the battery's size and terminal configuration. In other words, the BCI group size is what will physically fit into your car.
While you can technically use almost any battery if you can successfully connect the positive and negative terminals, you should never attempt to fit an incorrect group size into your car. Using a battery that's too large or too small may affect its ability to vent or break your battery tie-down straps, either of which can create a potentially dangerous situation.
If in doubt, you can always find the group size on the label of your existing battery. Write this number down or take a picture before you head to the store because it's the most critical piece of information you'll need when selecting a battery.
What Can You Change?
Now that you're only looking at batteries of the appropriate group size, you can start looking at the two specifications where you have a little more room to choose: cold cranking amps (CCA) and reserve capacity. Your vehicle will have a minimum requirement for both, and, once again, you can find these values on the label for your current battery if you aren't sure.
In both cases, you're free to choose a battery that exceeds the minimum requirement for your car. Going with a higher CCA can be particularly helpful if you live in an area with a cold climate. A higher CCA rating makes more power available when necessary, helping your starter motor get going in colder temperatures.
Reserve capacity is a little more esoteric. You can think of this as an overhead for when you leave your car's headlights on. A battery with a higher reserve capacity will last longer before draining, helping you run your accessories even with the engine off. A higher reserve capacity is never necessary, but it may be helpful if you frequently use headlights or other accessories while your car is off.
Finally, you should always think about the intangibles. How long is the warranty? Are you buying from a store with good support or exchange policies? While any battery that meets your manufacturer's minimum specifications will get your car started, buying a high-quality battery from a reputable supplier can save you a lot of frustration down the road.
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Have you been saving for a new car? Although you might be tempted to invest your hard-earned dollars into the first ride that looks new and shiny, buying the wrong car could cause a lot of problems later. While the right car will keep you comfortable, safe, and financially viable, the wrong car could end up running your checkbook into the ground with repairs and leave you with a lackluster experience. Fortunately, I have bought several cars over the years, and I can teach you how to choose a car that you will adore. As you read my website, take notes so that you can navigate that car dealership like a pro.