Mobile Battery Replacement - Servicing All of Melbourne

When you look under the hood of your vehicle, you will find the car battery. It is an extremely important part of your car. It provides electricity that the vehicle uses for the door locks, lights, and other accessories. It is also responsible for starting your vehicle. If the battery dies, your car will stop working.

Signs You Need a New Battery

Tips for Replacing Car Batteries

When you see the signs above in your battery, it is indeed time for you to get a replacement. Three main things influence your buying decision: size, reserve capacity, and amps.

1. Size

To find the right replacement; the first step is to determine the group size of the car battery. The size is important because the battery should fit securely in the tray. There are various sizes available depending on the manufacturer, but you will find a specific group size where yours will fit.

Find the group size first, which is in the owner’s manual. You can talk to a battery retailer to know the group size of the battery if you no longer have the manual. The most common group sizes are:

• Size 34: Mostly Chrysler vehicles
• Size 35: Honda, Toyota, and Nissan cars
• Size 75: GM cars
• Size 65: Bigger cars

Some General Motors and Chrysler cars have size 34/78 battery group size. You need to buy the correct size; otherwise, it can damage your car.

2. Reserve Capacity

The reserve capacity of RC is the standing power of the battery, which is often listed in minutes. It refers to the amount of time that the battery can provide the minimum voltage for running the car in case the fan belt or alternator fails. You need to choose a battery with an excellent RC rating so that you will have no problems running the car using the battery alone.

However, it does mean that you should choose the one with the longest or highest RC. You should still consider other factors and make sure that you consult the owner’s manual to learn about the recommended RC rating for your car.

The reserve rating acts like the car’s emergency kit. If it has a higher number (in minutes), you have fewer chances of getting stranded in case of car trouble.

3. Amp

The amp rating, specifically the cold-cranking rating of the battery, measures the ability of the battery to start the car even when it is extremely cold. You may have already noticed that it is difficult to start your vehicle during freezing conditions. The problem is often due to the much thicker engine oil.

When the cold cranking amp (CCA) of the vehicle has an excellent rating, you can use the car even in cold climates. Make sure you do not confuse the cold cranking amps (CCA) with the cranking amps (CA).

Aside from these three, you may also want to look at the brand of the battery. There are numerous brands available, but they mostly come from just a few manufacturers. Ideally, you should purchase the battery indicated in the owner’s manual.

However, there may be instances when the battery specified is quite expensive for you. If you plan to save, be sure that the battery you purchase meets the requirements stated in the manual.

It is not advisable to go for the cheapest brand that you can find. They often come with defects and perform poorly compared to the more expensive brands. Some of the brands that you may want to consider are:

• Optima Batteries RedTop34/78
• Odyssey PC680
• Mighty Max ML35-12
• ACDelco 47AGM
• Soundquest Power Battery
• Kinetik 600-watt 12-volt AGM Car Battery
• DieHard Advanced Gold ADM Battery Group 34R

Aside from these mentioned factors, the age of the battery should also be considered. Select one that is newer since it will function better and last longer than the older counterparts. Check the manufacturing date where it should be less than six months old.

Questions and Answers about Car Batteries

If you want to learn more about car batteries, here are some questions that will give you a better understanding of them:

1. How Does the Car Battery Work?

When you start the ignition, it signals the battery to do something. A chemical reaction begins, which then converts into electrical energy. The motor will then run, and the engine will crank.

2. How long will the new battery last?

After replacing the car battery, its lifespan will depend on several factors, including its ability to hold the charge and the duration of the process. Once it can no longer recharge itself, it is considered a dead battery.

If your car is always exposed in ideal conditions, it can last anywhere from three to five years – or even more.

3. How Often Should You Replace Your Battery?

The exact time your battery needs replacement will depend on the car itself and its condition. However, most vehicles require a new battery every four years. Once your battery reaches the three-year mark, it makes sense to pay attention to the way your car is running. Observe if there are signs that it needs replacement, such as slow engine crank and low engine lights. Then, you can buy a new one before it affects the health of your car.

Note though that many batteries do not even show that they are about to die. It is why you should get a mechanic by the time the battery reaches its third birthday. It will help you figure out if there are any problems so you can replace the battery right away.

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, batteries will always require replacement. Make sure that you have the appropriate battery for your car so it will remain functional at all times.