An automotive battery or car battery is a rechargeable battery used to start a vehicle by providing an electric current to the motor, which starts the engine and runs your vehicle.
We all know how essential it is to maintain a car and its components. Battery being the heart of the vehicle needs utmost attention and care. They sustain the car’s energy and acts as a powerhouse. Therefore, replacing car batteries time to time is a critical part of your vehicle’s maintenance. This can affect your vehicle’s performance for coming years if you take the right decision at the right time.
Service experts estimate that you should replace your car battery every four to five years as its lifespan depends on the nature of the trips you take and climatic conditions. Car batteries die when they weaken from too much cold, heat, drain, corrosion, or vibration that they don’t have enough electrical power to crank the engine. Being unprepared for a car battery dying unexpectedly in middle of nowhere can be a real hassle and can leave you stranded until you find some roadside assistance.
Used car batteries are a great economic option if one does his research well and knows how to identify age and performance of a used car battery.
There are different types of car batteries like SLI battery, Lead-Acid (Regular) battery, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery, Deep Cycle Battery, and Lithium-Ion Battery. The battery case will usually have the battery’s name and manufacturing number. If you search the sides of your battery, you’ll likely find the battery type.
This article can be handy and informative when buying a used car battery –
Factors to Consider When Buying a Used Car Battery
Warranty
Car batteries no matter brand new or used are always covered with a warranty for every type of car. Automakers and battery manufacturers provide car battery warranty coverage to protect against defects, although knowing what battery is covered and for how long can vary by the year, make, model, and type of vehicle you own. It’s imperative to understand warranty claim criteria and procedures. A car battery warranty typically covers for 24 months or 36,000 miles from the date of purchase of the battery.
A battery’s warranty can be of two types one that is with free-replacement period and the other with prorated period—which allows only partial reimbursement of the total cost for a certain time period. One can choose a used car battery with longer warranty that allows replacement for free but should be well aware that low water levels and improper installation can void a warranty.
Lastly, when buying a used car battery, ask the seller what kind of warranty is covered by the battery. If they do not offer any kind of warranty, you should be wary of buying from them. In addition, if the dealer provides you a warranty on the battery, then probably, they’re dealing with quality used spare parts. This provokes a sense of reliability and trustworthiness between the buyer and the seller.
Age of the Battery
Always ensure that before purchasing even a used car battery, you should check the date stamp on the battery. This stamp indicates the actual manufacturing date of the battery. The date can be found on a sticker label affixed to the top or side of the battery. Unfortunately, most buyers are not aware of how to read and decipher the date stamp on a battery due to its alpha-numeric code.
The battery label displays month in an alphabetical format starting from A to L where A stands for January, B for February, C for March and so on. These letters are then followed by one or two digits. For example, stamp will display 16 or simply a 6 for Year 2016. Now together if you want to decipher age of a battery manufactured in March 2016, the date stamp shall display it as C6 or C16.
So, the real hack behind determining the battery’s age is only when you understand how to interpret the date stamp.
Size and Power Output
Batteries are placed into groups according to their physical sizes that eases to find replacements. A battery’s size group is decided by its height, width and length. Look for the group size printed on its case. It’s important to choose the right size of a used car battery to ensure that it fits securely and provides sufficient power output. If the terminals are in the wrong place, your car’s cables might not reach, or they might not fit securely. Before installing, check and follow your owner’s manual recommendation.
The terminals are placed in one of three areas: on the side, directly on top or sunken inside the top corners. There are over 20 battery size groups, classified into three broad categories by terminal location: Top post, Recessed top post and Side post.
Also, you have to pay attention to Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and Cranking Amps (CA). CCA applies to cold climates and batteries with higher CCA are recommended. The CCA rating tells you how quickly and efficiently the battery starts your engine in frigid temperatures. In short, Cranking Amps is the energy required to start a vehicle at normal temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit while Cold Cranking Amp points to the ability of the battery to start a car at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Terminal Location
Battery terminals are vital components that help you power devices connected to a circuit.
If you want to check for battery terminal problems, turn your key to “start” or push your ignition button and you may hear a long, slow crank or nothing at all. Lift the hood, locate the battery and examine the terminals.
Car battery terminals will be marked and color-coded. The color red and the plus sign for the positive terminal, and the color black and the minus sign for the negative terminal. The negative terminal connects to the vehicle’s metal chassis.
The position of the positive terminal affects the polarity of the car and there is a risk of shorting if the positive terminal contacts the metal shell of the car. It is therefore very crucial to check what side the positive terminal is located whether right or left depending on the type of car. Make sure you get the right size and terminal locations (or type) for your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual.
Price difference between new and used car battery
A car battery price can range between 100-200 dollars. But it all depends on which one you’re getting. Generally, the amount you pay is determined by three major factors: the warranty, performance, and battery type. And while it’s clear that a good warranty adds a significant chunk to the price, the last two are not that easy to understand from the get-go. Used car battery is not just less expensive but environment friendly too.
How We Test Used Car Battery Before Buying
Used Car batteries can be evaluated in 3 ways:
- Cold-Cranking Amps (CCA)
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is a rating used in the automotive industry to determine how well a battery can perform in cold temperatures. CCA measures how much power a 12-volts battery requires to turn on a vehicle engine at 0 °F(-18°C) for about 30 seconds without falling below 7.2 volts. A low CCA rating indicates that the battery doesn’t hold enough power to turn on headlights or start the engine. An ideal battery for a small car should have a rating of at least 150 CCAs, while high-performance vehicles should have a rating of around 500 CCAs. When buying a replacement battery for your vehicle, choose one with a rating of 650 CCAs or more. However, it’s worth noting that batteries with a high CCA rating will be more expensive.
- Reserve Capacity
Ever left your headlights on, and your car still starts? Well make sure to thank your reserve capacity (RC). It’s your battery’s “tank” of stored energy. Always purchase a battery with high reserve capacity. This indicates the amount of time that a battery can run on its own without the power of the car or if its charging system fails. The RC rating is usually located on the top of the battery. Compare it to the recommended rating in your owner’s manual before buying. Unlike cold cranking amps (CCA), reserve capacity helps when it’s hot.
- Battery Life
One must ensure battery life so as to make timely replacement. Battery life is measured by repeatedly discharging and recharging each battery many times at a test temperature of about 167° F for 2 weeks or until performance drops to unacceptable levels. You can get it checked with the battery specialist or your supplier before purchasing. This simulates the underlying conditions of a battery that can be faced during the extreme weather conditions. The higher the score, the longer the battery will be reliable.
Car Battery Brands Available in Craft Auto parts
Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary. Most stores will test, install, and match a battery to your car’s needs.
At Craft auto parts, all the brands and models of batteries are available you can find the battery that best meets your needs. All the products are originally branded used car battery. Craft auto parts are on the top supplier of used car batteries with hundreds of satisfied costumes. You can trust Craft Autoparts who provides premium-quality used auto parts at a reasonable cost at your doorstep. They are a reliable automotive used car parts supplier and has the largest online auto parts store in the United States that offers a wide range of car parts, from budget to high-performance cars.
Their experienced and knowledgeable in-house engineers strive to provide customers with quality products at competitive prices.
If you are looking for used car battery nearby, get in touch with Craft Auto parts today! They’re happy to help!
Craft Auto Parts are widely known for selling used SLI Batteries, Lithium-Ion Batteries and Lead-Acid Batteries.
Here are some major brands batteries that are sold by Craft Auto parts –
FAQ –
Should I buy a used car battery?
Yes. Only from trusted suppliers like Craft Auto Parts that sells quality and branded used car batteries with warranty
How do I know if my used car battery is good?
Always check for the battery age and warranty coverage.
What is the benefit of used car battery?
Used car batteries are not just pocket-friendly but also environmental-friendly.