Shopping For A Car Battery
A bad car battery is the leading cause of starting trouble, whether because of lights left on, a charging system problem or other cause. The important word to remember when battery shopping is amps.
Cold cranking amps (CCA), tells how much power the battery gives when you turn on the car. The reserve capacity rating (RC), indicates how long your car's accessories can run and still have enough power to start the engine.
Both of these numbers are important, so check your owner's manual for the minimum requirements your car needs. Buying one with an excessive CCA rating may be a waste of money.
In every situation, more RC (reserve capacity) is better, just like having a little extra in your checking account. The size and number of plates in a battery determine how many amps it can deliver.
By having more and/or large plates, you can increase the normal life of the battery. This is what distinguishes a three-year from a five-year warranty battery.
Published 09/07/07
