Car Battery Prices
Car Battery Prices. Picking the Right One for You

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How To Change A Car Battery

Friday, May 20th, 2011

The car battery in your car is the ultimate source of electrical power in your car. Most of the car manufacturers may claim that there won’t be any problems with the batteries whatsoever – but things might not be that simple in the long run. The battery might get damaged, and if that’s the case, then it must be replaced as soon as possible. But replacing a car battery is not at all an easy thing. That’s the reason why we are going to guide your along through the process.

Things you should need:

1- A new car battery
2- Adjustable wrench
3- Wire brush
4- Lithium grease
5- Baking soda paste

Steps to replace a car battery:

Step 1: First off, disconnect all the electrical circuits associated with the car battery. When dealing with car batteries always protect your hands with some materials like protective hand gloves or something like that. In every car battery, you will see a greenish like stuff. This is a corrosive at the same time acidic substance which if comes in contact with our naked hand, can cause serious damage like burns etc.

Step 2: Now test the car battery – and make sure that it charges and discharges without any problems. You may use a wire brush and baking soda paste for removing that greenish on the battery terminals. Again, don’t forget to protect your hands while dealing with car batteries (especially while dealing with that corrosive substance on the terminals).

Step 3: You will have to replace the battery if you think the charge is depleted. First of all you should be removing the connection from the positive terminal and then only attempt doing that at the negative terminal. Clean Car Battery Terminals at that time.

Step 4: Hold down the battery towards its compartment or room and then remove the screws and bolts associated with it.

Step 5: Now seek 1000 help from someone and together, lift the battery from the compartment. After that, if you find something in the compartment, clean it using the wire brush and baking soda paste. Generally, corrosive matter is seen over that place and it can only be cleaned using baking soda paste.

Step 6 : Now, it’s time to replace the connections. You should start with the positive battery terminals. After doing at both the ends, you should be spraying lithium grease over the connections.

Step 7: Now, it’s time for checking how things went. If everything went fine, you will see the electrical system in your vehicle working good as it did in the past.


Proper car battery replacement is essential for safe driving.

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Charging Car Battery – Ways to Do It

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

The battery of your car is very important in order to make a smooth and safe driving flow. This is because when your car gets a little older, the battery begins to lose its charge. The moment the car battery weakens, you will notice that your vehicle becomes slower and sluggish. Moreover, you’ll have a harder time making it start.

There are also moments that you need to jump start your car for the reason that your battery just can’t start instantly. This tends to happen a lot when you barely make use of your car and you have to use it for a quick journey to the store. This is especially true in winter when the weather condition gets freakishly cold. You could just pay money for a novel and new car battery. Nevertheless, if you had a cheap car battery, charging it would be slightly different. By using an affordable car battery charger, you may know how to maintain your car battery so it can last for several years.

You should also keep an eye with regard to the warning lights on your automobile’s dashboard. It should be quite obvious if a problem exists in the midst of the electrical charging system in your car. If you have a fault in your alternator in your charging system, you need to preset it devoid of uncertainty. Just a mere battery charging will never get to the bottom of your problem. In case your battery is an open cell kind, you ought to unlock the cells and put a moist rag above the breach when you recharge your car battery. On the other hand, if what you have is a sealed battery with a charge sign window, you ought to simply make use of a charger if the window displays black or green.

Another way to make your car battery last longer is by making use of a trickle charger. Trickle chargers are low-priced and have the ability to cool down your battery’s energy very gradually over an extensive stage or point in time. If you have trickle charger, it will be prepared with 2 jaw type clips to unite with your car battery posts and a plug-in cord that is going pencil in power from an ordinary outlet.

Additionally, you only have to charge your battery when your car’s ignition is turned off. You should never forget this as this is one of the most basic and essential things to consider before charging car battery. The moment you have finally connected the battery charger to your battery terminals, you will need to attach your charger to an electrical energy supplier by means of an everyday outlet and turn it on. You will need to run the charger for a number of hours or overnight for good results. It is also very essential to keep an eye again on the charger’s meter. These will cause you less car breakdowns and failures. Finally, if you take necessary precautions and safety tips before you drive to your desired destinations, you will be well on your way there.

Car battery is very important since it is the responsible in making your drive smooth and safe. There are different ways to make the life of your car battery last longer. By charging your car battery, you have the assurance that you can use it for a longer period of time.

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Choosing A Quality Replacemment Car Battery

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Replacing your car battery can save you money with attention for the proper disposal of car battery pricesyour old one. The car battery is the first point of power under your hood of your vehicle. It provides electricity needed for lights,entertainment,electric windows and other car accessories.If your battery dies so does your car . Rrecycling stations and automotive supply stores give you ample opportunities for disposal of your old battery.

There are 5 major things to consider when picking a car battery: 1,Age 2,Cold-cranking amps 3,Size 4,Brand 5,Reserve capacity

1,Age The age of the battery gives you an idea on how long it should be able to perform. A battery is considered resh’ if it is less than 6 months old. Look for the manufacturing date. Most date codes are stamped on the battery case or label. Important battery information usually starts with 2 characters: Letter – indicates the month (Example: A is January; B is February; C is March…), and Digit – indicates the year (Example: 9 for 1999, 0 for 2000, 1 for 2001…)

2,Cold-Cranking Amps: Cold-cranking amps (CCA) measure the battery’s ability to start your car even on an extremely cold weather. During freezing condition, your car will be hard to start (or to ignite) because the car’s engine oil thickens and chemical reactions, in turn, slow down. The cold-cranking amps also refer to the number of amps a battery will be able to support for 30 seconds at 0 degree temperature (until battery voltage reaches below minimum level). Choosing a battery with a high number of CCA is better; particularly to those vehicles being driven in a cold climate. A higher cold- cranking amps assure that your car’s engine will start obediently even on snowy mornings. Car Battery – is a type of battery that can be recharged. Its main purpose is to supply electricity to a vehicle. Car battery is also referred as an SLI battery. Starting-Lighting-Ignition: to give power to the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a car engine. Cranking (starting) – also known as shallow cycle type, intended to release rapid surges of energy to start a vehicle’s engine. Obviously, you won’t have to bother with much CCA if you’re living in a tropical or warm climate. Since the sole purpose of your car battery is to spurt electricity to crank your car’s engine and also to supply power other car’s accessories.

Difference between CCA and CA CCA (cold-cranking amps) – indicate how much electrical power the car battery can deliver to the car’s starter engine, at zero degree Fahrenheit. CA (cranking amps) – This is another measure of electric current in the battery, taken at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or at freezing point. When seen on battery case or label, the CA rating is usually higher than the CCA rating. Tips on Choosing the Suitable Cold-Cranking Amps Rating for your Car Battery: Check your owner’s manual and follow the CCA rating specified for your car battery. Do not choose batteries with CCA rating which is much lower or much higher to the rating recommended by your car’s manufacturer, as well as those CCA rating of 200 amps or more. If both your car’s battery brand and exact CCA rating level are not available, you may choose a bit higher (not much and not lower) your car’s CCA requirements.

Different Group Sizes for Different Car Models: Size 75 – General Motors cars; Size 65 – big-bodied Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury cars; Size 35 – latest Honda, Nissan, and Toyota cars; Size 34 – Chrysler cars; and Size 34/78 – with 2 sets of terminals to fit some Chrysler and some General Motor models.

3,Size Size or Group Size refers to the height, width and length of the battery. They come in different group sizes to fit most car’s battery tray. It is important that the battery should fit snugly and securely. Always refer to your car manufacturer’s manual to know your car’s specific battery group size. You may also consult the reference guides, which battery retailers provide, find out the appropriate battery size for your vehicle. Buying a wrong-sized battery will just be a waste of money and might just set off more damage to your car. In the States, a new car battery might cost up to $200, or more. To save money more efficiently: it is best to do research for battery prices first before purchasing. Also learn to remove and to install your own car battery, to save on the installation fee.

4,Brand Brand refers to the trademark given to a certain product. Sometimes it is the same with the manufacturer’s name (i.e. Exide company produces batteries with same name). Buying the battery brand specified in your owner’s manual is the best way. But if that particular brand is too expensive and you want to do some cost-cutting, follow the specification requirement also found in the owner’s manual. Do not be tempted to buy the cheapest brand because it could turn as the most expensive battery you’ve ever bought. Cheap batteries may also be loaded with defects and can also be poor performers. A frequent battery change, which also entails repeated installation, will just definitely sucks up the money you’ve initially saved when you chose a cheap car battery.

Battery Service Centers that Install and Sell Reasonably-Priced Car Batteries: Firestone Goodyear Pep Boys Sears

4, Battery Manufacturers and their Battery Brands: Delphi – AC Delco and some EverStart; Exide – Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart; and Johnson Controls Industries – Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStart.

You can also buy car batteries from local service stations and tune-up shops; however, the selection is limited and the stocks may not be fresh. Battery Stores that Sell Very Low-Priced Car Batteries but sometimes No-Install:

Kmart Target Trak Auto Wal-Mart Sam’s Club

5,Reserve capacity rating (RC) refers to the battery’s standing power’. This is the amount of minutes the battery can continuously supply minimum voltage needed to run a car should the car’s alternator or fan belt fail. With an excellent reserve capacity rating, your car can run on the battery alone when the alternator stops working. The RC rating of a battery is listed in minutes. You may not find the RC rating on the battery because it is not usually printed on the label. Check the product literature or ask the store assistant to find out the true RC rating of a particular battery. The longer the operating time of the battery’ reserve capacity, the better; because this is the one quality of the battery that could save you from getting stranded. Consider the RC rating as your car’s emergency kit. In times of unexpected trouble, you can still run to safety instead of getting stuck somewhere.

IMPORTANT: You cannot just pick and buy a battery with the longest reserve capacity you can find. Consult your owner’s manual to learn the recommended reserve capacity rating for your particular car model. It is best practice to choose the exact RC rating that your vehicle can handle.

If you see this date code on a battery L8′, which means December 2008, grab this battery because it is really fresh. (It’s only 4 months old, if you’re buying this April 2009.)

More Tips on Car Batteries: Warranty-covered cars and trucks – If your battery is covered by your vehicle warranty, go to your car dealer to claim some discounts. You must check thoroughly that everything is in order before buying though. Otherwise, the discount you got will be paid for purchase and re-installation fee of replacement battery. Older models of cars and vehicles which should be beyond their warranties must go to any service centers which could cater to all your battery needs at reasonable prices. If you have no choice but go to your car dealer, prepare a higher budget for your new automotive battery because these services tend to be more expensive. Do not install used batteries. It will be extremely dangerous. When your car coughed during start-up, pull over to a garage and ask a mechanic to load’ your battery. It should be able to hold a charge properly. At first sign of battery trouble, start scouting around for a new car battery. You won’t get a good buy when you’re stranded with a flat car battery. A new car will normally need a battery change after more than 3 years. If your battery’s the unsealed type, you must add water to avoid drying up. Here’s how to put water in the battery: twist open the cap and top up with distilled water. This will give your battery a longer life. Put back the battery hold properly to secure the car battery on its tray, if your car has one. Car batteries are NOT maintenance free’. You must check the battery regularly. Keep the terminals, cables, and connectors clean and free from corrosion. Here’s how to clean the battery: use a wire brush and baking soda/water mixture to scrub away the growth of whitish, greenish, and bluish stuff on the battery terminals. Check the battery connections. Make sure that the cables and posts are well connected. To keep off corrosion much longer, rub a bit of petroleum jelly to each battery posts. This will help the cable slip back easily. Carry a portable battery charger inside your car for emergency use, but be sure to know how to use the gadget. Jump starting’ a dying battery is known to save a car battery-and some money, too; but do not attempt this without complete knowledge on the correct procedure. Wrong wiring connections will cause damage to engine control and other electronic parts of your car.

 

 

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Simple Guide On Building and Installing Your Electric Car Battery Box

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

With the rising gas prices and need to save the environment, you have decided you want to do your part, but you just don’t have the money for a new car. There are alternatives and one of them is converting your existing vehicle to run electricity. Electric cars get between 30 to 70 miles a gallon, depending on certain factors. One of the first things you will need is to create an electric car battery box. You cannot just put the batteries in any type of container because they need special care.

The box is going to be placed in the rear part of the car. You can either put it in the trunk or, if you have the tools and know how, you can weld it into the trunk floor to retain space. The electric car battery box is important because it serves several purposes. The first is that it prevents fumes from getting inside your vehicle while the batteries charge. The second is to prevent any accidents in case of an emergency. Both important reasons and why you have to be very careful.

You will need some electrical knowledge to do this. Here is what you need build and install your own electric car battery box: marine-grade plywood (which is made of Douglas fir or Western Larch), water-repellent paint, an explosion proof brushless fan, marine-grade ventilation bilge hose, metal bands, bolts and baking soda.

Measure the batteries to see how big of a box you are going to need. Once you have the proper box, paint the box with the water-repellent paint and sprinkle baking soda on the box floor. Usually, there will be about 10 batteries. Install the fan onto the side of the box. The fan should be wired so that it will turn on once the batteries begin charging and the fumes can be pulled out of the box. Next, place the hose onto the fan with the end pointing below the car for the fumes to escape. Once all of this is secure, place the metal bands around the box for extra protection. This is to ensure the box won’t be weighed down by the batteries and break, and that it won’t come apart in case of an accident.

Once you have finished the electric car battery box, bolt it to the car frame.

Converting your own vehicle to an electric one can be cost effective. Just prepare and make sure you have all the right equipment before starting to build an electric car battery box.

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The use of Car Battery

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

When most people think of a car battery, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to a car battery than just the basics.

car battery prices

Any automobile needs a car battery to start its engine. It is also used in stabilizing, filtering and giving the needed power for ignition, electrical lighting, and other car accessories. The car battery provides the power whenever the charging system cannot carry the excess loads. It also maintains the electrical flow of the charging system when it is not operating.

The car battery is an important part of the car , that is why, battery check up is necessary. You may encounter car problems and engine stoppage when the battery is in bad shape. Well-maintained batteries can last for two years. You must also buy a battery that fits in the climactic condition of your place.

You may buy a non-sealed battery if the climate of the place is hotter while sealed batteries are recommended in colder places because there is no need to add water to the battery of the engine. Some people get the dual marine battery, which is the combination of the sealed and the standard battery that can accommodate changing climate conditions.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

The model of the battery is usually important to many buyers. This is the reason why you may buy a battery that can be larger and has a higher reserved capacity rating than the old one that you are replacing. Group numbers of the battery may vary but you may acquire it on the same price.

Another factor that is important in sizing the batteries performance is the CCA ( cold cranking amps ) ratings that measures the amps if they exceed or meet the at 0 degrees F and can sustain for 30 seconds while having a voltage higher than 7.2 depending on the condition of the climate of the place. Sometimes buyers look at their ( MCA ) Marine Cranking Amps or by their ( CA ) Cranking Performance Amps, which are determined if they can maintain a 32 degrees F.

People who buy batteries with double or triple CA ratings in hot climates will just put their money into waste. You may acquire higher CCA rating in colder climates because they can provide the needed power to an inefficient engine.

There’s no doubt that the topic of car battery can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about car battery, you may find what you’re looking for in our article directory.

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How to Maintain Optimum Car Battery Performance

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Starting the engine is not the only function it serves, it also provides extra power for ignition, lighting, and it becomes active if the combined demand for power surpasses the one provided by the charging system so without it your car is obviously going nowhere. Since this part is critical for any car to work, learning how to improve its life and performance is information worth acquiring.

 

Depending on the type of car you use the battery life fluctuates, some will last 4-5 years, others will go above that, but every once in a while we hear about batteries lasting only a couple of years. According to today’s battery prices which range between USD $80 – $250+ constant replacement can surely turn out to be an annoying expense.

In order to improve your car’s battery life you can follow these steps:

- If you have purchased a fairly new car, the battery it comes with is pretty generic (for most cars), replacing or upgrading it can keep you worry free for quite some time.

- If your new battery dies after a couple of years it is important to find the reason why it died so fast instead of buying a bigger battery, in some cases the insulation around the battery is not good enough and it tends to discharge its power faster so replacing it with a bigger one will pretty much yield the same results in term of its life. Make sure to have good insulation which will keep the battery’s electrolytes at the right temperature. If temperature is an issue then you could have the battery installed in your car’s trunk which will keep it properly isolated from temperature changes and additional equipment which can affect its life.

- Keeping your car’s lights always functional is very important but there are those who like to add extra accessories to the car which drain its power, the same goes for people who love 1000 watt speakers and powerful stereo amplifiers. Such accessories can drain a battery extremely fast so it is highly recommended to install a separate power supply for such accessories. Also use the right battery charger when the time comes.

- Keep track of the average amount of miles driven each day as well as the average time spent stuck in traffic jams if you live in a crowded area, this will help technicians determine the best course of action when it comes to insulation and location.

Follow these basic guidelines and you will increase your battery life and decrease unnecessary expenses.

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The New Generation of Electric Car Batteries

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Electric cars run on batteries anywhere from 12 to 24 of them underneath the hood. When it comes time for new batteries, they are actually readily available. The batteries used to run an electric car are similar to those used to power cell phones and even those little vehicles that kids like to drive around the yard. Getting new batteries for your electric car should not be a problem when the time comes.


The reality is that electric car batteries last for quite a long time, so getting new ones will not have to happen for quite a long time. When you do have to get new batteries for your electric car, you can expect to pay around $2,000 to $5,000 for them depending on the make and model of your electric car.

Some batteries have memories in them and if you do not run them out before charging them, they lose some of their potency. Be completely aware of how much electricity you have left before you go to plug in for a recharge. You may find yourself having to buy new batteries for your electric car before you really want to.

The electric car industry is always coming up with new battery technology that can help power your vehicle longer and charge faster. It is only a matter of time before that technology will allow you to drive your car further before a charge. That is good news for people who are electric car enthusiasts. Right now, the general range is around one hundred miles per charge. It is entirely possible that by the year 2010, you will be able to drive an electric car over 200 miles on new batteries.

When the time does come to get new batteries for your electric car, you can rest assured that you will be able to recycle almost the entire battery. Electric car batteries are 95 percent recyclable. You have an electric car, most likely, because you want to do something good for the environment and give yourself some relief from the ridiculous price of gasoline. Well, being able to recycle an electric car battery before you buy new ones, you can have peace of mind and a new source of power.

Choose the best type of battery for your need when you are buying new batteries for your electric car. Get the best battery you can find for the money and rest assured that you are doing your part both for the environment as well as for yourself.

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Choose The Best Car Battery For Holiday Travel

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

No one wants to have their holiday travel plans ruined due to their vehicle breaking down, so make sure you give it plenty of attention before hand. Complete a thorough check of all the routine items on your vehicle. The oil should be changed and you will want to check all the fluids including the transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid. Do not scrimp on battery prices and choose the best car battery because it will pay off.

Don’t wait until something breaks on your vehicle to replace it, especially when you are traveling for the holidays. Carefully inspect all of the hoses for signs of wear as you never know when they will end up breaking. If you haven’t used your windshield wipers for a while make sure they are in good condition.

Have someone stand behind your vehicle so you can make sure both of your turn signals work as well as your break lights. Replace any bulbs that are burned out or seem to be dim. Do the same for your headlights on both low beams and high beams. This will ensure other vehicles are able to see you coming and know when you are planning to stop or to turn. It is a good idea to carry fuses in your glove box so that you can replace any that may burn out during your travel for the holidays.

Your tires are very important when you are traveling for the holidays. Check the wear patterns on the tread to make sure they are in good shape. Of the two front tires are wearing unevenly you may need to have your vehicle aligned. You may find it is time to rotate the tires on your vehicle as well. This involves moving the front ones to the back and the back ones to the front.

Depending on the time of year when you travel for the holidays, you may experience bad weather. Make sure you have a survival kit in your car that includes tire changes which many end up being mandatory to drive on the roads in some areas. You also want this survival kit to include a flashlight with fresh batteries, flares, food, water, a first aid kit, blankets, a car jack, and a gas can.

It is a good idea to make sure you have a cell phone will you as well. Most models come with a battery charger that plugs right into your cigarette lighter so you don’t have to worry about the battery running low while you are traveling for the holidays. If you don’t want to get caught up in a lengthy cell phone contract, look for those offered at retail stores. They are inexpensive and they work well. However, you buy the amount of minutes you want for the phone in advance. When the minutes run out you can choose to buy more or simple get rid of the phone.

It is never a good idea to be in a vehicle without seatbelts for all passengers. However, some states don’t require the use of a seatbelt so people don’t pay attention to them working or not. If you are traveling out of state for the holidays you may be going through those that do require them and you need to be prepared.

Accidents can still happen even when you have properly prepared your vehicle for holiday travel. Seatbelts and car seats offer you a way to reduce the chances of serious injury if such an event does take place. In your glove box you should have a disposable camera so you can take pictures of the accident scene for your insurance company. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy as well so you can exchange insurance and personal information with the other party involved.

Thousands of people choose to travel for the holidays using their own personal vehicle. Doing your very best to make sure your vehicle is in excellent working condition will help you to arrive at your destination safely.

 

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Car Battery Voltage

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

The car battery is one component of a vehicle’s inner workings that is sometimes taken for granted. When it is working properly, the car starts and the electronics are powered. However, when the battery has lost its charge, it will leave you stranded with a vehicle that is unable to be started. Periodically testing your battery can help you avoid potential trouble down the road and give you warning when your battery is starting to lose or is not able to hold a charge.

Battery technology has made advancements over the years, in terms of power, longevity and durability. In today’s vehicles, the battery not only provides the spark needed to start and engine and power the radio, but it also supplies the power for iPods, DVD players, GPS navigation devices and any other modern electronic component that accompanies you on your travels.

Vehicle battery testers are a way to judge weather your car’s battery is fit for use or needs to be replaced. It measures the drop in voltage when an applied load that is half the battery’s CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating is used. The load is given for around 15 seconds before the drop in voltage is measured. A battery in good condition will not drop below 9.6 volts. Before testing or charging your car battery, make sure the engine compartment has cooled off to avoid burning yourself. Conversely, in the winter months, you may need to warm up your engine to get a proper reading or ideal results.

If your car battery has completely lost its charge, you can recharge it using a car battery charger. This method is recommended over using jumper cables to jump-start your vehicle. A car battery charger will use a lower current to recharge your battery, while connecting your vehicle’s battery to another car’s battery will provide a quick jolt to initially start your vehicle and then cause your car’s alternator to provide the rest of the recharge. Your alternator was not built for charging batteries and you can damage it by attempting to totally recharge a dead battery.

Before you hook up a battery charger to your car battery, read the owner’s manual to make sure you’re using the right model charger for your specific battery. Hook the red, positive cable to the positive battery terminal and the black, negative cable to the negative battery terminal. Then plug in the battery charger and turn it on. Most battery chargers have an indicator light that will turn on while it is in charging mode. Another indicator light will turn on when the charge is complete. Then you can remove the cables, starting with the black negative cable. Reconnect your battery to your vehicle and test it out. If your car fails to start, you may need to buy a new battery or there may be a problem that does not involve your battery.

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Cheap Car Batteries And Quality Replacement.

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Choosing A Quality Replacemment Car Battery

Replacing your cheap car batteries can save you money with attention for the proper disposal of your old one.

The car battery is the first point of power under your hood of your car. It provides electricity needed for lights,entertainment,electric windows and other car accessories.If your battery dies so does your car
.
Rrecycling stations and automotive supply shops give you ample opportunities for disposal of your old battery.

There are 5 major things to consider when picking a car battery:
1,Age
2,Cold-cranking amps
3,Size
4,Brand
5,Reserve capacity

1,Age
The age of the battery gives you an idea on how long it should be able to perform. A battery is considered ‘fresh’ if it is less than 6 months old.
Look for the manufacturing date. Most date codes are stamped on the battery case or label. Important battery information usually starts with 2 characters:
Letter – indicates the month (Example: A is January; B is February; C is March…), and
Digit – indicates the year (Example: 9 for 1999, 0 for 2000, 1 for 2001…)

2,Cold-Cranking Amps:
Cold-cranking amps (CCA) measure the battery’s ability to start your car even on an extremely bad weather. During freezing condition, your car will be hard to start (or to ignite) because the car’s engine oil thickens and chemical reactions, in turn, slow down.
The cold-cranking amps also refer to the number of amps a battery will be able to support for 30 seconds at 0 degree temperature (until battery voltage reaches below minimum level).
Choosing a battery with a high number of CCA is better; particularly to those vehicles being driven in a cold climate. A higher cold- cranking amps assure that your car’s engine will start obediently even on snowy mornings.
Car Battery – is a type of battery that can be recharged. Its main purpose is to supply electricity to a vehicle. Car battery is also referred as an SLI battery. Starting-Lighting-Ignition: to give power to the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a car engine.
Cranking (starting) – also known as shallow cycle type, intended to release rapid surges of energy to start a vehicle’s engine.
Obviously, you won’t have to bother with much CCA if you’re living in a tropical or warm 1000 climate. Since the sole purpose of your car battery is to spurt electricity to crank your car’s engine and also to supply power other car’s accessories.

Difference between CCA and CA
CCA (cold-cranking amps) – indicate how much electrical power the car battery can deliver to the car’s starter engine, at zero degree Fahrenheit.
CA (cranking amps) – This is another measure of electric current in the battery, taken at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or at freezing point. When seen on battery case or label, the CA rating is usually higher than the CCA rating.
Tips on Choosing the Suitable Cold-Cranking Amps Rating for your Car Battery:
Check your owner’s manual and follow the CCA rating specified for your car battery.
Do not choose batteries with CCA rating which is much lower or much higher to the rating recommended by your car’s manufacturer, as well as those CCA rating of 200 amps or more.
If both your car’s battery brand and exact CCA rating level are not available, you may choose a bit higher (not much and not lower) your car’s CCA requirements.

Different Group Sizes for Different Car Models:
Size 75 – General Motors cars;
Size 65 – big-bodied Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury cars;
Size 35 – latest Honda, Nissan, and Toyota cars;
Size 34 – Chrysler cars; and
Size 34/78 – with 2 sets of terminals to fit some Chrysler and some General Motor models.

3,Size
Size or Group Size refers to the height, width and length of the battery. They come in different group sizes to fit most car’s battery tray. It is important that the battery should fit snugly and securely. Always refer to your car manufacturer’s manual to know your car’s specific battery group size. You may also consult the reference guides, which battery retailers provide, find out the appropriate battery size for your car.
Buying a wrong-sized battery will just be a waste of money and might just set off more damage to your car.
In the States, a new car battery might cost up to $200, or more. To save money more efficiently: it is best to do a search for battery prices first before purchasing. Also learn to remove and to install your own car battery, to save on the installation fee.

4,Brand
Brand refers to the trademark given to a certain product. Sometimes it is the same with the manufacturer’s name (i.e. Exide company produces batteries with same name).
Buying the battery brand specified in your owner’s manual is the best way. But if that particular brand is too expensive and you want to do some cost-cutting, follow the specification requirement also found in the owner’s manual.
Do not be tempted to buy the cheapest brand because it could turn as the most expensive battery you’ve ever bought. Cheap batteries may also be loaded with defects and can also be poor performers. A frequent battery change, which also entails repeated installation, will just definitely sucks up the money you’ve initially saved when you chose a cheap car battery.

Battery Service Centers that Install and Sell Reasonably-Priced Car Batteries:
Firestone
Goodyear
Pep Boys
Sears

4, Battery Manufacturers and their Battery Brands:
Delphi – AC Delco and some EverStart;
Exide – Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart; and
Johnson Controls Industries – Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStart.

You can also buy car batteries from local service stations and tune-up shops; however, the selection is limited and the stocks may not be fresh.
Battery Stores that Sell Very Low-Priced Car Batteries but sometimes No-Install:

Kmart
Target
Trak Auto
Wal-Mart
Sam’s Club

5,Reserve capacity rating (RC) refers to the battery’s ‘standing power’. This is the amount of minutes the battery can continuously supply minimum voltage needed to run a car should the ca 1000 r’s alternator or fan belt fail. With an excellent reserve capacity rating, your car can run on the battery alone when the alternator stops working.
The RC rating of a battery is listed in minutes. You may not find the RC rating on the battery because it is not usually printed on the label. Check the product literature or ask the store assistant to find out the true RC rating of a particular battery.
The longer the operating time of the battery’ reserve capacity, the better; because this is the one quality of the battery that could save you from getting stranded. Consider the RC rating as your car’s emergency kit. In times of unexpected trouble, you can still run to safety instead of getting stuck somewhere.

IMPORTANT: You cannot just pick and buy a battery with the longest reserve capacity you can find. Consult your owner’s manual to learn the recommended reserve capacity rating for your particular car model. It is best practice to choose the exact RC rating that your vehicle can handle.

If you see this date code on a battery ‘L8′, which means December 2008, grab this battery because it is really fresh. (It’s only 4 months old, if you’re buying this April 2009.)

More Tips on Car Batteries:
Warranty-covered cars and trucks – If your battery is covered by your vehicle warranty, go to your car dealer to claim some discounts. You must check thoroughly that everything is in order before buying though. Otherwise, the discount you got will be paid for purchase and re-installation fee of replacement battery.
Older models of cars and vehicles which should be beyond their warranties must go to any service centers which could cater to all your battery needs at reasonable prices. If you have no choice but go to your car dealer, prepare a higher budget for your new automotive battery because these services tend to be more expensive.
Do not install used batteries. It will be extremely dangerous.
When your car coughed during start-up, pull over to a garage and ask a mechanic to ‘load’ your battery. It should be able to hold a charge properly.
At first sign of battery trouble, start scouting around for a new car battery. You won’t get a good buy when you’re stranded with a flat car battery.
A new car will normally need a battery change after more than 3 years.
If your battery’s the unsealed type, you must add water to avoid drying up. Here’s how to put water in the battery: twist open the cap and top up with distilled water. This will give your battery a longer life.
Put back the battery hold properly to secure the car battery on its tray, if your car has one.
Car batteries are NOT ‘maintenance free’. You must check the battery regularly. Keep the terminals, cables, and connectors clean and free from corrosion. Here’s how to clean the battery: use a wire brush and baking soda/water mixture to scrub away the growth of whitish, greenish, and bluish stuff on the battery terminals.
Check the battery connections. Make sure that the cables and posts are well connected. To keep off corrosion much longer, rub a bit of petroleum jelly to each battery posts. This will help the cable slip back easily.
Carry a portable battery charger inside your car for emergency use, but be sure to know how to use the gadget.
‘Jump starting’ a dying battery is known to save a car battery-and some money, too; but do not attempt this without complete knowledge on the correct procedure. Wrong wiring connections will cause damage to engine control and other electronic parts of your car.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com

By: david burton

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Dave is the owner of the web site www.bargain-motors.com

 

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