Things To Consider Before Buying A Car Battery
Theres a reason behind the multiple tiers in the car battery world. If your car has auto start/stop, or you know youll do a lot of short trips, then a battery thats designed to withstand this sort of use is essential. If you drive a compact economy car in mild weather, with a charging system thats in tip-top shape, and you drive long enough to make sure the battery stays topped off, then something with less reserve and a lower cold-cranking amp rating is a safe bet.
How Long Should A Battery Last
There are a ton of factors that go into determining how long a battery will last, but the three most important are the environment the battery is in, the type of battery, and how you drive your vehicle.
For most climates you can expect a regular lead-acid battery to last anywhere from three to five years, but in that same environment, an AGM battery can last anywhere from six to ten years. Furthermore, if you dont drive the vehicle enough, or if you only drive it in short spurts, it wont maintain a full charge which can shorten its overall lifespan too.
And while this is the case for most climates, its certainly not the case everywhere. For more extreme climates like Alaska or Phoenix, its not surprising for a regular lead-acid battery only to last about two years. Meanwhile, an AGM battery should still last at least four to five years.
Its also important to note that the more a battery dies, the shorter the batterys overall lifespan. So, if you have a battery that keeps dying because of a faulty alternator, it can dramatically shorten the batterys overall lifespan.
Furthermore, recharging the battery correctly mitigates the damage, while a jump start or a fast charge can lead to a shorter battery lifespan too.
So how long should a battery last? Its really hard to say, but most of the time a lead-acid battery will last three to five years, while an AGM battery will last six to ten.
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What Are Cold Cranking Amps
Like reserve capacity, cold cranking amps is another important term you will see when shopping for a battery. In so many words, its the number of amps that can be harnessed from a 12-volt battery at 0°F for 30 seconds, while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts . The higher the number of cold cranking amps, the stronger the starting power of the battery.
Though cold cranking amps are essential, they are not the end-all, be-all. With the increased amount of electronics in vehicles today, reserve capacity is just as important. While a battery with a high CCA rating has its benefits, your vehicle might not necessitate such a battery. When selecting a battery, its more important to have one that best matches the requirements and specifications of your vehicle instead of one with just a high CCA rating.
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Car Boat And Rv Batteries
Use our to quickly search by brand and model to get the battery you need for a quick and easy purchase. We also offer powerful motorcycle batteries for bikes by BMW, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian, Triumph and more.
Make the most of your time on the water with a durable boat or jet ski battery. Find lead-acid batteries in deep cycle, dual purpose, and starting varieties for work and play. Enjoy your travel and leisure time with batteries for , , , and workhorse machines like , for both residential and commercial use.
Bottom Line: Car Batteries
When selecting a new car battery, keep in mind that youll want to find a battery size and type that matches the OEM battery. Most modern vehicles are designed to use AGM batteries .
Our favorite AGM battery is the Optima RedTop. Optima is a reliable brand and the RedTop model is a high-powered battery at a reasonable price. Those with older cars looking for a lead-acid battery might consider the DieHard Platinum series, which utilizes stamped-grid technology to extend battery lifespan.
Those in need of an extremely lightweight, high-powered battery for racing vehicles might consider the Braille Intensity Battery, though this is a niche battery not suitable for typical drivers.
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How Do You Know When You Need A New Car Battery
Clearly there are a lot of old car batteries out there, but the important question here is: How do you know when you need a new one, short of waking up one morning to learn that you can’t get to where you need to go? The answer isn’t as obvious as it once was.
Corrosion around the battery posts is a sign of leaking acid.
There may be signs a car battery is on its last leg. Excessive corrosion around the post and battery cable connectors probably means it’s leaking acid. Some cars will flash the “check engine light” if the battery is weak, though in most cases you won’t know what that light exactly means without access to an OBD II scanner. An obvious crack, bulge or warpage in the battery case is a pretty good sign you should be looking for a new one.
Yet the conditions noted above are relatively uncommon, and their absence doesn’t necessarily mean a battery is healthy. Ten or 20 years ago, a battery’s decline would progressively show itself in one obvious way: increasingly slow and labored cranking or engine starting, particularly during a chill. A few recently manufactured batteries can still behave that way, but most modern batteries will continue cranking normally — until they won’t crank anymore.
Cold Cranking Amps is the amount of near instant amperes a battery can deliver at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Duracell Platinum Agm 47 H5
Absorbed glass mat batteries dont have any water inside, so they require less maintenance than standard flooded batteries. AGM batteries are often more expensive, but they also last longer.
Fortunately, CRs best AGM pick for this battery group retails for only $135. The Duracell Platinum AGM 47 H5 earned high marks in every category and can be replaced for free within three years if it fails.
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Car Batteries For All Vehicles
Today each vehicle needs a specific battery. A 20-year-old car is not the same as a vehicle with a start-stop system. Even inside vehicles that have start-stop there are two technologies: agm and efb batteries.
Well, we have a catalog with a wide variety of batteries so that you can choose the most suitable battery for your car.
Do You Have To Be A Costco Member To Buy A Battery
Yes, to take advantage of Costcos excellent car battery pricing, youll need to sign up for a membership. This also makes returning products easier and more efficient since all your information is stored with your membership.
You can score a limited-time membership deal to Costco on our blog here. Youll get a $10 or $20 Shop card with your purchase, depending on your chosen membership level.
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Optima Batteries Redtop Starting Battery
Lots of cranking power and great packaging are what buyers of this Optima battery appreciate most. It even comes with a special plastic holder to change the height for different vehicles. Buyers like this one on Amazon really appreciate the noticeable power upgrade this battery gives their starter motor:
This battery far exceeds the standard factory battery, and I noticed it the second I started the car. The starter sounded like it was turbocharged in comparison. Now I just have to wait and see how well it performs over the next few years. I am pretty confident that it will be fine though. Even the way it was packaged told me a lot about the company. I would definitely recommend buying this!!
Best Place To Buy A Car Battery
If you find yourself struggling to get your car going, you may need a new battery. But where is the best place to get one? Here, we have compiled a list of the best places to purchase a car battery. Whether you are hoping for store pickup or want one delivered from an online retailer, its all here.
So read on and find the perfect place to buy your battery and get that car back on the road.
Contents
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Odyssey Automotive And Ltv Battery
Lots of cranking power, particularly cold cranking amps , are what makes this battery by Odyssey stand out. Buyers such as this one on Amazon appreciate the explosive starting power this battery delivers:
My truck also sits a lot, and these batteries handle that well as they are both a sprinter and a long distance runner . Most batteries are one or the other. These are expensive, but you get what you pay for. Super high quality. Mega cranking. Just check the weight on these bad boys SIXTY POUNDS of pure lead.
What Customers Are Saying
According to customer reviews, the Optima RedTop is an excellent replacement battery for Mazda vehicles. Many report getting several reliable years of use from this battery. In some cases, there are reports of the battery failing after a year, and experiences with Optima customer service are mixed.
This battery comes with a three-year warranty, and some reviewers reported no issues getting a replacement while others claim they had a lot of difficulties contacting Optima support.
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Types Of Car Batteries
Flooded Lead Acid Battery
The flooded lead acid battery is one of the oldest battery types and was the most common type around. But, as accessories now place a larger electrical load on vehicles upon ignition, these models arent as practical. These batteries are usually made up of six cells and have a liquid electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water. Some models require you to periodically top their solution up with water. Since this solution can spill, wet cell batteries need to stay vertical.
If you discharge these models below 50 percent it greatly reduces the batterys life. So, while theyre suitable for starting vehicles and powering standard accessories, theyre not a good option for anyone using heavy-duty electronics.
Absorbent Glass Mat Battery
Absorbent Glass Mat batteries are a type of valve-regulated lead-acid battery that are better than wet cell batteries in most measurable ways, but they also cost more. They are better able to support the higher electrical loads todays vehicles place on batteries. These models work like wet cell batteries, but a fiberglass separator keeps the electrolyte solution in place by absorbing it. AGM batteries are sealed, so you dont need to install them vertically. When compared to wet cell batteries, AGM models can charge up to five times faster and last two to three times longer.
Deep Cycle
Final Thoughts On The Best Car Batteries
Getting the right car battery can make the difference when youre dealing with some of the extremes the country can throw at you. As you start researching and shopping for a battery, take into consideration where youll be spending most of your time, how much you value a free replacement warranty, and how much you can spend. If you decide to buy one of the car batteries on this list make sure youre paying for the features you need, and not wasting money on things you dont.
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Costcos Battery Warranty Conditions
- The battery must be utilized privately: If you use the battery for commercial purposes, your warranty will be void and can be reduced to 6 months. After that duration, a limited battery warranty at a prorated calculation will be applied. You need to use the battery privately to qualify for the limited warranty.
- Limited warranty: Costcos limited warranty is offered to the original buyer. It remains effective, provided it stays in your car. Defects in the build construction and material sanction the buyer to a new replacement. The purchaser should return the bad battery to obtain the warranty. It can be replaced, or the buying price refunded to the buyer, excluding fees and taxes.
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Costco Automotive Battery Reviews
A car battery can last anywhere between two and six years. Ultimately, the lifespan of these batteries will vary between different vehicles. However, if its finally time to get your cars battery replaced, your local Costco will be able to sort you out in a jiffy!
Costco offers many automotive services, all while remaining competitive with their prices. From car insurance to auto repairs, Costco offers many great products and services to its customers. This includes replacement batteries for your vehicle.
Compared to batteries sold by similar retailers, many consumers are surprised to find out how inexpensive their batteries are. Theres actually a reason for this, which comes down to how Costco chooses the brands and products that they stock.
On average, your typical supermarket will generally carry an estimated 30,000 stock-keeping units at any given store. However, your average Costco warehouse will only have an estimated 4000 stock-keeping units. While this may seem alarming to some consumers, this is a testament to Costcos commitment to quality.
When selecting products to sell, Costco carefully considers aspects like the brand, price, quality, as well as other features. In doing so, this retailer can provide great quality to members at surprisingly low costs. This includes their vehicle battery selection, which automotive experts have widely praised.
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What Are Agm Batteries
There are many types of car batteries, but there are two general classifications: Flooded battery and Valve Regulated Lead Acid or VRLA battery.
Except for the EverStart, all the batteries on this list are AGM batteries or Absorbent Glass Mat. AGM batteries have fiberglass separators or glass mats that absorb the electrolyte solution inside the battery. Based on their design, AGM batteries perform better than traditional batteries. Compared to standard batteries, AGM batteries can charge five times faster, last three times longer, and cycle down to 80 percent of their DoD or Depth of Discharge .
What Are The Different Types Of Batteries
The main function of a car battery system is to provide to run the radio, air conditioning, lower your windows, or dim your lights when the engine is on, and to reserve power.
Today’s vehicles demand more power to manage all their electronic accessories. Count on NAPA to offer you the right battery. Find what you need at NAPA Auto Parts, they offer a full line of battery choices.
Different types of batteries:
- Lead-acid wet cell: original type of rechargeable battery
- Lead-acid gel cell: mixtures of silicon are added to battery acid transforming the electrolytes into a gel substance that cannot leak.
- Absorbed glass mat : electrolytes are separated by a fiberglass mat and function as a sponge producing high output power.
- Lithium-ion battery: batteries that can be charged and discharged repeatedly usually a secondary battery.
- Hybrid battery packs
NAPA offers different types of batteries:
The Legend Absorbed Glass Mat : An advanced lead-acid battery with an absorbed glass mat. The glass mat provides a higher energy capacity, which allows them to adapt to today¿s vehicle. This type of battery provides high resistance to shocks and vibrations. It is ideal for short and repetitive journeys and easier to recharge. This type of battery is suitable for winter due to a superior resistance to frost and cold weather. Also, the glass mat avoids the battery to leak.
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Acdelco Professional Gold 65pg
This car battery comes with an above-average warranty of 42 months, yet its still less expensive than several other models on CRs list. For $125, you also get 850 CCA and a decent amount of reserve power. Even though the ACDelco Professional Gold 65PG isnt an AGM battery, one satisfied consumer claims it can last for eight years.
How Do I Know If I Need A New Battery
Your car batterys capacity and output degrade over time, and unfortunately, theres not much warning when one is about to give up. If youre noticing slow starts and dim or pulsing lights, thats a good indication. One thing to remember is that the alternator could also be to blame, so its essential to have both checked by a pro.
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How To Buy A Cheap Car Battery From Advance Auto
CORE CHARGE: You will notice a core charge ranging from $18 to $25. You can get the core charge refunded by returning your old dead battery to Advance Auto Parts.
If changing the battery, dont forget to return the old battery to refund the core charge. If you dont have the old battery removed, dont worry. You can take your old battery back later to get a refund for the core charge if you havent removed it yet.