Powering the car from ignition to lights, safety and infotainment, car batteries are the lifeline of the vehicle. Whether it’s the daily or occasional usage of the car, the choice of the right car battery and effective maintenance are essential. A wrong choice can impact the vehicle’s efficiency while also leading to expensive repairs. To protect you from such inconvenience, here is an insight for decision-making regarding the choice of battery. Also, find here the tips for proper maintenance. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Car Batteries 

Here are the key points to keep in mind when choosing car batteries : 

Go With the Owner’s Manual 

The most crucial, reliable and accurate task to do before selecting car batteries is going through the car’s owner’s manual. It has detailed information stating the battery’s technical specifications. The information can also be found either on the battery or the company website. Here’s what to check in the information:  

• Battery fit: It includes the size and dimensions of the battery. 
• Battery type: It includes making a choice between lead acid, dry cell batteries or any other options 
• Battery voltage: It involves understanding the appropriate voltage for cars
• Ampere hour (Ah): It indicates the amount of current supplied by the battery over time.  
• Reserve capacity (RC): It states the duration for which the battery can supply power if the alternator fails. 
• Cranking amperes (CA) and Cold cranking amperes (CCA): The CA states the amount of current that can be delivered for 30 seconds at 0° Celsius, and the CCA states the same at -18° Celsius.   

Choice of Appropriate Ampere Hour Rating and Reserve Capacity

Necessarily focus on these aspects of the car batteries: 

Ampere Hour Rating

Among the multiple details, accuracy in the AH rating of the new battery is highly essential. It indicates the amount of energy stored by the battery and is responsible for smoothly starting the car in cold weather. The lower Ah rating can compromise battery life. 

While a slightly high Ah can be fine, an excessively high Ah rating is also not recommended. It will lead to slow charging while straining the electrical systems, too. 

Reserve Capacity

The reserve capacity is the feature indicating the duration for which the battery can power the car if the alternator fails. Choosing a high reserve capacity ensures the proper functionality of the different electrical components of the car. 

Manufacturing Date 

The ideal date choice for the battery will be within the 6 months of manufacturing. They are known to offer quality performance by holding the charge better. 

Brand Reputation 

It is another one of the essential factors to consider. The reputed brand will stick to the high quality and standards, thus delivering the best product. Their products will last long, be durable and reliable, offer a good warranty and better customer support. 

Maintenance Tips for Car Batteries 

The secret to the quality and maximising the efficiency performance of the car battery until the end is its proper maintenance. Here is how to maintain the battery: 

Regular Inspection 

Insights into the battery’s health can be gained by monitoring its performance only. Be updated with the charge amount on the dashboard, or use a multimeter to check the same. 

Avoid Short Trips

Every time the car starts, the starter motor draws a large amount of current to crank the engine, which is recharged by the alternator. Now, the short trips do not offer enough time to recharge the battery fully. Hence, the battery remains undercharged. Further, the repeated short trips cause cumulative power loss, and over time, the battery voltage drops too low to start the car. Thus, drive for long durations. 

Avoid Idling

Unused car batteries tend to discharge when kept for a long time. Generally, the batteries can be left idle for four weeks. However, the appropriate permissible time for idling varies according to the specific battery and its age. The idle sitting car also puts a parasitic load on the battery, which increases the discharge rate. Thus, it leads to the battery knocking out completely regardless of the age. Hence, follow proper instructions for battery handling for long non-usage periods. 

Switch Off Electrical Components 

It is to be done when the engine is turned off, i.e., when leaving the vehicle after use. The electrical components include headlights, music systems and AC. Cross-check their status when leaving the car to avoid useless charge drainage. 

Clean the Battery 

You also must avoid the deposition of dirt and grime on the battery. It is because the dirty battery can lead to corrosion along with a mild short circuit, which could further lead to battery flattening. 

Conclusion 

A reliable car battery is chosen through informed decision-making. Further, the ability to last for long, offering effective performance till the end, is achieved through proper maintenance. The key aspect to getting the best battery and maximum performance is choosing the right fit specific to your car. Keeping it clean and properly charged and avoiding short trips are some points among multiple others to enhance the quality of its functionality.