Is it time for a new battery?
Battery Basics
The average
lifespan of a battery is between three and five years. If your car is over
three years old and still has the original battery it is probably time to
purchase a new one. It’s better to take initiative and replace it before it
dies that to wait for that fateful and most probably highly inconvenient day.
The condition of your battery depends upon the cell plates inside. Sulfuric
acid reacts with lead in the cell plates producing an electric current. As
batteries age, sulfate begins to accumulate on the cell plates. Accumulated
sulfate restricts the amount of current that passes through a battery. A new
battery has clear cell plates and are capable of transmitting a strong current.
A battery that is three years or older may have substantial sulfate residue on
the cell plates.
Some batteries accumulate sulfate faster than average (
between one and three years.) This occurs when the battery is fully discharged
frequently. Fully discharged could mean leaving your lights on or making
frequent short trips. The lifespan of a car battery can be significantly
decreased if the battery has remained discharged for a long period of time. A
good example would be the battery in a classic car that has sat in storage for a
few years. This is why removing a battery from a vehicle in storage (or used
infrequently) makes sense.
Extreme heat is another cause of premature
battery failure. Batteries in hot arid places like Arizona and New Mexico
typically have a shorter lifespan that those in cooler climates. The water
inside the battery falls below the level of the cell plate terminals disallowing
current to pass.
Keys to
Buying
If you a new battery
purchase is in your future, whether because of a full discharged battery or an
refreshing belief in preventative maintenance, understanding the different
components of a battery is useful. Consult your owner's manual for factory
specifics for your battery before proceeding.
Actual Group Size
Group size refers to the
physical dimensions of a battery and the placement of terminals. Check your
vehicle’s owner’s manual for specifications. Improper group sizes can lead to
loose battery connections and placement. Battery retailers stock group size
manuals to help consumers determine their needs.
Cold-Cranking Amps (CCA)
This number refers
to a battery’s ability to start a car in cold weather. Cars struggle to start
in cold weather because the engine oil is less viscous (fluid) and creates
slower chemical reactions. The cold-cranking amps indicates how much current
the battery can produce for the car's starter at zero degrees Fahrenheit. The
measure CA (Cranking Amps) denotes current strength at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
refer to the CCA figure rather than the CA figure when determining battery
strength.
Reserve Capacity &
Age
Reserve capacity isn’t typically promoted or stated on the
battery. However, it is an important factor defining how long a vehicle can run
when an alternator failure occurs. The figures are typically stated in the
product manual and not on the actual battery. Age is a major factor when it
comes to battery purchase. It is safe to assume chain stores have a higher
turnover rate of batteries than a small business mechanic. Do not buy a battery
older than six months. The date can be found on the battery or its label. The
first letter and digit indicates the date of production. The letter refers to
the month with “A” meaning January. The digit refers to the year with “1”
meaning 2001. As a result, a code of “C8” would indicate that the battery was
produced in March 2008.
Warranty
Warranties always appear to cover
more than they actually do. A battery warranty should be on the battery label
and consists of two numbers. The first number is the full warranty number and
the second is the free replacement period. Clearly understand the difference
between the two numbers. If the battery fails after the “free replacement”
period expires, you will be credited on a pro-rated basis.
With batteries the CCA, reserve capacity, age, and
warranty can be highly variable across brand names.