The car battery is one of the main power sources for a vehicle. It fires the engine so that your car can start and then run. Buying a car battery that’s right for your car will make a huge difference to its long-term performance.
Roughly speaking, a car battery has a shelf life of around four to six years. But that can be reduced, sometimes significantly, by a number of factors. These include inadequate charging, faulty wiring, or poorly installed equipment that suck power from the battery. Even your driving style and habits can shorten a battery’s useful life.
How To Know If You Need A New Battery
The indicators that a new battery is needed include:
- A car that struggles to fire its engine, especially in cold weather.
- Having to manually charge the batteries more often than usual.
- A voltmeter registers a voltage of 10.5 or lower.
General Guidelines
Batteries can make or break a smooth driving experience, so you should always select one that’s a perfect fit for your car or other vehicle. Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a new car battery.
Vehicle technology
Take into account the technology used in your vehicles. If it’s fitted with advanced technology, like a start/stop system for instance, then a regular battery may not be the most appropriate one for you. That’s because hi-tech equipment like infotainment systems or locking systems will still demand power even when the vehicle is idle.
Two battery types that support around 360,000 starts for start/stop vehicles are:
- Advanced Flooded (AFB)/ EFB / ECM: These batteries are more durable than their conventional battery counterparts and offer better performance than the standard batteries
- Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM): This is the ideal choice if you need a heavy-duty battery, although you may need a professional to properly install it into your car
Battery types
For vehicles that aren't using start/stop technology, here are the types of car battery you can use and when:
Lead Acid batteries. These comes as standard in most vehicles because they’re long-lasting, easy on the pocket, and easy to replace. This type can support up to 20,000 starts.
Calcium batteries. Calcium batteries provide 18% more starting power, support 30,000 starts, and are tougher than lead acids. They’re a good choice if you live in colder areas.
Silver calcium batteries. These provide at least 30% more starting power and up to 50,000 starts, making them highly durable and long-lasting.
Battery size
Batteries come in various sizes, so you will need to find the one that fits (including the casing) the holding tray. To source the size of battery that suits your vehicle's make and model, consult your owner's handbook. You’re looking for your car's battery group size.
Another option is to use resources offered by battery dealers such as Orius. There’s no need to search for “buying a new car battery near me” because this store sells its products online. Just input your make, model, and engine type into the search field, and the website will return the various battery options you can select from.
Battery power
CCA or Cold-cranking amps. As the name suggests, the CCA measures how easily the battery will start, even in the coldest temperatures. Choose the one with a CCA that either matches or is slightly higher than the figure your car manufacturer recommends. But be careful – a much higher CCA than recommended may not always be the best choice. Only select this if you know your car can handle it.
RC or Reserve Capacity. If the vehicle's alternator fails, Reserve Capacity refers to how long a charged battery will still be able to work.
AH or Ampere Hour: This is simply the amount of electricity a battery can store. Higher AH means you don’t have to recharge it as often.
Battery brands
Lastly, once you've found options with the specifications you're looking for, you’ll have different manufacturers to choose from. Generally speaking, bigger brands are more trusted and can cost more, though this isn’t always the case.
For example, we at Orius stock some premium quality batteries for great prices. It’s also easy to find brands like Varta, Bosch, or Torq and then compare their details to find which car battery will suit your needs – and your budget – the best.
Contact us today on 01772 348317 with any enquiries.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a car battery cost in the UK?
If you're obtaining an automobile battery in the UK, you'll find that prices can vary dramatically depending on when or where you are buying from. Regular lead-acid batteries prices range between £60 and £150. Vehicles using start/stop technology require a more advanced type of battery, typically costing more, from £110 to £190.
How many years does a car battery usually last?
Are you budgeting for procuring a vehicle battery but not sure how long it will last? On average, batteries are expected to work best for between four and six years but this life span can be affected by several factors. These include driving style, car type, and weather conditions.
How often should you change your car battery?
It’s important to consider factors that affect the life span of your battery and pay attention to any warning signs to work out when you should consider buying car batteries to replace the old one. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended you change your car battery every four to five years.
How long can a car battery last without an engine on?
With the engine turned off, a good car battery may still work for at least two months. But this is just an estimate. The exact length of time boils down to whether your car battery is still powerful enough to retain its charge and how much power the equipment (like the clock, immobiliser and so on) inside is drawing from the battery on an ongoing basis. Old car batteries don't last as long as newer ones.
About Specialised Batteries
Vehicles and engines have undergone a huge number of enhancements over the years. Their features and equipment have become state-of-the-art. And that’s why specialised batteries were created: to cater for these new types of vehicles. The hundreds of choices of batteries on the market can lead to confusion. If you need help in purchasing an automotive battery, just give us a call today, and one of our expert staff will lend you a hand.
Car Battery Maintenance
There is nothing more annoying than getting in your car early in the morning to go to work, only to find out that it won’t start. In most cases, this is due to a battery that needs recharging or replacing.
You can avoid the stress by practising good car battery maintenance. If all that your battery needs is recharging, then consider buying a new car battery charger. Remember to always handle car batteries safely by using gloves and protective eyewear.
Cost To Replace A Car Battery
- Supply and demand.
- Type of battery.
- Battery use – whether you need SLI batteries or deep cycle battery.
- Design – whether it’s a wet-cell battery, a valve-regulated lead-acid model, or other type.
- Brand.
- The store you’re buying it from.
If you are looking for top-grade batteries that won’t break the bank, Orius Batteries is the perfect seller to buy from. We offer a wide battery selection, fast delivery within the UK and lifetime guarantees.