Installing a new car battery can be a costly affair, from the price of the battery itself to the delivery fees if you're buying it online. What's more, you need to add in installation fees if you are hiring a technician to install it. Aside from the financial burden, replacing a battery also takes time, and you won't be able to use your vehicle in the meantime if your old one has completely given up the ghost. Below, we'll help you work out where to buy car batteries, the specifications to look for, and other factors that will make it more likely that you're purchasing a unit that's going to be reliable. And that's important because you want your new battery to last as long as possible.
Make sure that the battery fits securely in the battery compartment
The first step to getting a reliable car battery that will last for years to come is by making sure you're buying the right size. It must fit snugly in the battery compartment because it will vibrate while you are driving if it's loose. These vibrations are bad for car batteries and can shorten their useful life. Even if you've spent out on a high-quality or branded battery, its natural lifespan will be greatly reduced if it's not securely installed.
Aside from that, you should also make sure your new battery's terminals are compatible with the cabling in your car. An improperly connected terminal can spell problems later on, which can damage not only your car battery but other parts too. Have your battery installed by a professional if you don't have much experience installing car batteries yourself.
Get a battery with proper specifications
Size isn't only about the battery's physical dimensions. Your new battery must also match the specifications required by your car, not just the size of the compartment. These specifications include the recommended CCA rating (which will be discussed in more detail below), voltage, reserve capacity, and other features.
You can play it safe when choosing a new battery by simply buying the same model as your previous one. However, check around, because newer models could have new features or improvements on their previous incarnations. These improvements might include, for instance, a slightly higher AH rating or reduced size, which could add up to offering you a better performance.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) rating
Another way to guarantee the reliability of a new car battery is to buy one with an appropriate CCA rating. This is especially important if you live in the colder parts of the UK because it's the rating used to determine the battery's ability to start your car's engine even in the coldest conditions. The CCA rating measures the amps the battery will provide at a temperature of 0°F for half a minute while providing at least 7.2 volts. If you live in milder areas or mainly drive during the day, you can afford to give less priority to having an exceptionally high CCA rating.
Where to buy a car battery in the UK?
1. Physical stores
Some of the choices you have if you want to buy your battery in person include auto parts and accessories stores, car dealerships, and service centres. Buying from physical stores has its own advantages. You will be able to examine the actual battery you are purchasing to make sure it's as fresh as possible and there is no waiting time for your purchase. This can come in handy if you need a battery as soon as possible.
2. Online stores
However, if price is a factor, then buying your battery online may be the way to go. You can often get a significantly reduced price, especially compared to buying one from your car dealership. Also, by buying your battery online, you won't have to worry about "where to buy car battery near me" because online stores can ship almost anywhere. Having said all that, though, don't just order from any online store. Check past customer reviews first, which can be found on Google and other independent review websites.
If you want to purchase your car battery from a reputable online store and you are from the UK, you are in luck. Here at Orius Batteries, we offer the best range of inexpensive but high-quality batteries you can find anywhere. You won't be short of choices either, as our catalogue features many of the big-name battery manufacturers and models.
Our store automatically provides free shipping on all orders within the UK. Additionally, orders made before 3 pm are automatically upgraded to next-day shipping status. If you have other questions, you can reach us by using the contact form on our website. If you want to call or email instead, ring 01772 348317 or send your message to info@oriusbatteries.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I choose a battery?
Here are some tips to remember when choosing a car battery:
- Check the size of the battery slot.
- Consider both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.
- Look at the CCA and Reserve Capacity (RC).
- Check the length of the warranty.
- Ask about battery maintenance needs.
- Compare similar batteries' costs.
Can I buy any car battery for my car?
There is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" battery. Consider your battery type, the size, cold cranking amps (CCA) or amp-hour (Ah) rating requirements, and terminal configuration to ensure you buy a suitable battery for your car model. Similar considerations apply if you're looking at where to buy a car battery charger: it must be compatible with your battery type.
How do you buy a battery?
Check your car owner's manual for the minimum specifications required in terms of the cranking amps (CA), Reserve Capacity (RC), Ampere-Hour (Ah) rating, and cold cranking amps (CCA). You can generally buy a battery that exceeds these specs, but not one that's less powerful. Ask about the warranty length and any aftersales support you might need.
When should you buy a car battery?
On average, you should look to replace your car battery every three to five years or so. There are factors that can shorten or lengthen a battery's lifespan beyond this period, though. These include proper maintenance, good driving habits, the climate in your area, the quality of battery you bought in the first place and so on.
What are the benefits of a new car battery?
A new battery improves your car's reliability, boosts its performance and helps maximise its lifespan. You're less likely to experience a breakdown at home or when out and about, giving you peace of mind. When you're looking for where to buy an automobile battery, find a seller that offers a generous warranty for added reassurance.
How do I know what size car battery to buy?
Check the battery section of your owner's manual to find out which group size your battery is. If you don't have access to the original manual, you can search online or on a battery retailer's website for a list of compatible batteries by entering your car's make, model and engine type.
Things To Consider When Buying A Car Battery
Aside from choosing where to purchase an auto battery, you should also consider:
- Battery size. Batteries come in different sizes, so check the owner's manual or ask a mechanic for the right group size for your car.
- Battery freshness. There's usually a code on the battery consisting of numbers and letters. The latter stands for the month and the number for the year. Aim to buy a battery that's less than six months old.
- Reserve capacity. This is the amount of time a battery can work on its own without being charged by the alternator. A higher Reserve Capacity means better performance.
- Maintenance. When you've decided where to buy a car battery, you can opt for low maintenance or the maintenance-free type. The latter is, obviously, more convenient.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Best Battery for Your Car
If you have a sufficiently high budget, it's always worth buying a quality battery from a named brand like Bosch or Varta. While you may have to lay out more money at the time, there's a greater chance that the battery will last longer than a cheaper model. And that means you won't have to buy a new one in the near future.
Ask the salesperson (or look on the website if you're buying online) about the length of the warranty. In effect, the longer, the better. While factory defects are rare, there's still a chance that your new battery could fail within its average predicted lifespan. Your warranty ensures you can get a replacement without further cost.
Buying A Car Battery: What You Need to Know
Before leaping into buying a new car battery, first consider whether you need to replace yours or whether it just needs charging. Also, make sure the problem lies with the battery itself rather than the alternator.
An older model can function just fine with a cheap, standard lead-acid battery, for instance. But if you have start/ stop technology or lots of tech that relies on a good source of power, you may need a more advanced, more expensive model, such as an EFB or AGM battery.
For more info, visit Orius Batteries now. Our professional team of experts can answer your queries and guide you on where to shop for a vehicle battery.