What battery for my car ?

Car batteries have to be replaced at some stage as they olny last for between 4 to 5 years on average.

Choosing a battery for your car is not always easy considering the amount of information you can find and the different types of battery available.

It's important to be well informed on the type of batteries that you can use. Car battery don't last for ever !

To get the right battery battery for your vehicle, you need to consider the following criteria:

• Cold cranking amps (CCA)
• Reserve capacity (RC).
• Battery types Lead Acid, Flooded (maintenance Free)
• Dimension
• Date of Manufacturing (often engraved on the battery)
• Climate
• Warranty
• Budget

CCA Cranking amps is the measure of your battery's starting power and should always match the standard requirements of your vehicle. Check the owner's manual for these specifications.

RC Reserve capacity measures the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. It's this power that will ensure your battery is powering accessories in your vehicle when the engine is off. This RC is also a vital part of keeping essentials running when the alternator fails and is needed to keep your car running smoothly. Technology type and battery size will also play an important role with battery power. Make sure to check the battery label or ask shop assistant for the RC rating (in minutes) before you make your purchase. Your vehicle's manual will have the recommended RC for your make and model.

Battery tpes:

Most of the batteries used in car are made up of Lead and acid Flooded and maintenance Free.

Flooded are easy to identify as they have caps on the top that can be removed so that

you can top up the water (always use distilled demineralised water). The acid in these

batteries is suspended in water, thus the term flooded. By far the most common battery

on the market and most commonly used as cranking batteries in cars and trucks.

They can be refilled with water.

Maintenance Free similar to the flooded battery, however they do not have lids have been

They have a coloured sight glass that indicates the condition of the battery. These battery contain calcium.

Note: Hot climates damage car batteries faster due to water loss, heat distortion and an increase in corrosion. If you have a low maintenance battery, it is important to ensure it is topped up with electrolyte and batteries are kept in full state of charge.

For this reason calcium battery are better they last longer and shelf life, greater overcharge acceptance and an increase in available power. 

Battery specifications and their meaning:

AH = Amp Hours

This figure tells us about the discharge characteristics of the battery more often used with Deep cycle batteries.

CCA = Cold Cranking Amps

Typically shown on cranking batteries this figure identifies the number of amps a battery

can continuously discharge at 0 degrees fahrenheit (-180C).

All these information can be found in the car manufacturer manual.

But before you replace the battery you might want to check the alternator.