Your car battery has reached the end of its life and it’s time to change it. An essential element for the proper functioning of your car, it is important to take into account several criteria before choosing a model. Find our advice on how to choose a car battery!
Choose the right size for the car battery
Before even going into the technical characteristics of the battery, the first thing to check is the size of the battery. Depending on your vehicle, the size of the battery will be different, since its location is well defined under the hood. Normally each size of battery is associated with a bin number, but if you cannot find the indications on the battery, do not hesitate to measure its length, width and height yourself.
Choose a power adapted to your vehicle
Every vehicle requires a certain amperage to start, even more when it’s cold. If the battery you choose does not have sufficient amperage, you will encounter a problem because it will not be powerful enough for starting!
Expressed in amperes, the battery power refers to the intensity that it is capable of delivering at start-up. This is an important criterion to take into account because too little power will prevent your engine from starting correctly.
Can I put a more powerful battery in my car?
Choosing a battery with a higher amperage does not present any risk. On the contrary, it is even recommended in the following situations:
- You live in a cold region;
- Your car has an old engine that uses viscous oils;
- Your vehicle is a diesel or has a very powerful engine.
On the other hand, it is not recommended to install a less powerful battery. Indeed, choosing a battery with a lower amperage will affect its lifespan because it will be more heavily used. So if in doubt, always prefer a more powerful model.
Choose the right battery capacity
The capacity of a battery, which is expressed in ampere-hours, represents the quantity of electrical energy that it can provide during normal use. The higher the capacity, the more powerful the battery power will be.
Example: a 60 Ah battery can provide 60 Amps for 1 hour, or 10 Amps for 6 hours.
To find out how to choose a car battery with the right capacity, refer to the car’s user manual or the label on the battery, looking for a number followed by “Ah”. In general, the capacity of the batteries varies from 32 to 80 or 100 Ah.
Consider battery technology
To determine how to choose a car battery , you need to know if your vehicle is equipped with the Start-Stop system or not.
- For cars with a conventional engine: opt for an open lead-acid battery. It provides reliable starting power even in demanding weather conditions.
- For cars equipped with Start-Stop technology: you should never choose a conventional lead-acid battery but an AGM or EFB battery. They are both more expensive than traditional batteries but last much longer on average. The AGM battery is mainly used for high performance vehicles, as it is capable of supplying a large amount of electric current to the various components of the car.
Take into account the brand of the battery
There are several battery brands on the market that meet the different needs of motorists. But then, which brand of car battery to choose? We advise you to choose a recognized brand, such as Varta, Bosch or Fulmen, which ensures more reliability in terms of after-sales service in the event of a problem with the operation of the battery.
If you have a car with a lot of electronic options or you mainly do short trips, it is better not to go for the first price but to buy a rather high-end battery.
Little extra tips
- Always prefer a more powerful battery if your car is old;
- Most modern cars use 12 volt batteries. If you are unsure of the correct voltage required for your vehicle, consult the service manual;
- To ensure the compatibility of the battery with your vehicle, some websites offer you to enter your license plate and then give you all the models that may be suitable according to your needs;
- In case of doubt, the easiest way is to seek advice from a professional, who will be able to guide you during your purchase to make the right choice.