Things that Every Driver Should Know About Car Battery Replacement

Car Batteries power up all the electrical systems of your car by converting the chemical energy stored in their electrolytes to the required electrical energy. As time passes, the electrolyte of an automotive battery tends to weaken or evaporate. A weak battery is usually not capable of powering your car. As a result, you need to get your car battery replaced every 3 to 5 years. More often than not, batteries die a premature death owing to external factors and human neglect.

Car batteries usually give clear signs of their imminent death. Following are some signs you should watch out for to avoid being stuck with a dead automotive battery – Flickering or reduced brightness of headlights, difficulty revving up the engine, sluggish engine performance, backfiring, damage on the battery case, and corrosion on battery terminals.

It is always a good idea to get your car battery checked before you decide to buy a new one. Most experts employ multimeters and other electrical devices to test the working of car batteries.

Car Battery Replacement: Factors to Consider

Once you have decided to get your car battery replaced, you must shop for a new one. Whether you shop for a new automotive battery online or do so physically, here are some features you must keep in mind –

Group Size

Based on their respective dimensions, all automotive batteries are classified into different groups. Since the battery tray of your car is supposed to fit in only one cell snugly, each vehicle is compatible with only one group size of the battery. Before you shop for a new car battery, check the group size of your existing one using its label. You can also refer to your car owner manual for this detail.

Reserve Capacity

Whenever the alternator or the fan-belt of your vehicle fails, your car battery is responsible for supporting the electrical components of your car. Reserve capacity or standing power of an automotive battery refers to the amount of time for which it can successfully do that. For most cars, the reserve capacity is measured in minutes and usually listed as a range. Any new battery that you shop for should have a reserve capacity rating that fits within this range. To check the exact reserve capacity range of your vehicle, you can either refer to your owner’s manual or check the label of your old car battery.

Cold Cranking Amps

For cars that operate in colder climates, the engine oil often becomes semi-solid due to the low temperatures. This makes it challenging to start the vehicle. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) of an automotive battery refers to the amps it can power for 30 seconds at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially, it is the power your battery supplies to the engine during start-up. Cars that operate in colder regions typically have a high CCA rating. At the time of buying a new car battery, make sure that its CCA rating is the same as your existing one. Buying an automotive cell with a CCA rating considerably higher or lower than what is recommended by your car manufacturer can damage your car.

Brand

Many small and generic brands manufacture cheaper batteries. However, these batteries fail frequently and entail high repair and maintenance costs rendering the initial difference in price redundant. Always ensure that you shop for car batteries from reputed brands like Amaron and Exide so tthat you do not have to spend thousands later on getting them replaced due to premature death.

Manufacturing Date

Whether you buy cosmetics or food items, checking the date of the product’s manufacturing is essential to avoid health issues. Similarly, while buying a new car battery, always check its manufacturing date so that you do not damage the health of your car. New cells should not be older than three months from the date of their purchase.

Warranty

Automotive batteries contain a free replacement and a pro-rata warranty period. If your newly-bought car battery fails due to a manufacturing defect during the free replacement period, the battery manufacturer replaces it with a brand new one. However, with batteries that stop working during the pro-rata period, manufacturers typically deduct a portion of the original purchase cost. It is imperative to shop for car batteries that have a significantly prolonged free-replacement and pro-rated warranty periods to avoid unnecessary expenditures later.

Process of Installation

The method of installing a new car battery is intricate and requires special safety measures. Self-installation or DIY kits for battery replacement, though available, are often risky as car battery replacement is a sensitive process requiring adept and trained hands. If you make even one mistake during the installation, you could risk damaging your car, the new battery, or end up endangering your safety. Therefore, always approach a battery replacement professional to get a new car battery installed.

At AIS Car Fit Experts, our professionals use world-class battery replacement tools and attend to your car with the utmost care. We observe the highest safety standards while delivering our services and choose only the best quality batteries for your vehicle. You can either visit our service centres or request a doorstep battery replacement service. We promise to make the experience hassle-free and quick for you. So, get in touch with us today!