Are your lights getting dimmer? Do you struggle to get your car started? Or is your Stop & Go system playing up? These are all telltale signs that your car battery needs to be changed.
Car batteries are the lifeblood of your vehicle. They power the starter motor, lights, radio, air conditioning, and other systems. Trust us, if your car battery dies, you won’t be going anywhere fast.
When was the last time you had your battery checked?
If it’s been a while between renewals it’s a good idea to take a trip to your local mechanic sooner rather than later.
But what should you look for in a car battery? What’s involved in a battery service and replacement? And where can you book your car in locally?
In this article we cover all these questions and more.
What to look for in a car battery?
Here are some of the critical factors you should consider when replacing your car battery. If you are unsure of the requirements in any of these areas, check your vehicle manual or talk to your friendly local JAX’s mechanic for recommendations.
Here are the top things to consider when replacing your car battery:
Vehicle Battery freshness:
Since batteries start decaying from the moment they are manufactured, you want your battery to be as new as possible. Before purchasing, look for the manufacture date stuck on the case. Try to buy a battery that is no more than six months old.
Vehicle Battery Warranties:
Another factor when purchasing a new car battery is the warranty. We advise that you consider choosing a battery with a warranty with a long free replacement period. There’s usually a limited period of time where you can receive a partial reimbursement of the total cost.
Vehicle Battery Reserve Capacity
This refers to the amount of time that the battery will run on its own power without the help of the engine or before discharge. Having a high reserve capacity is helpful for vehicles who find themselves in challenging situations like a non-compliant engine, alternator failure or when you leave the lights on accidentally. Don’t worry, we have all been there.
Find car Batteries near me
Do you have a flat battery?
Not confident about your car’s battery?
Find your nearest JAX Tyres store to check your battery and fit you with the correct replacement. Our team is happy to help with all your car battery needs.
As THE experts in all things motor and tyres, we can help you keep your car safe, running efficiently, and create the most enjoyable driving experience for you.
Click here to find your nearest JAX dealer for a car battery.
A car battery capacity is given in Amps Hours (Ah). It describes how many Amps (A) batteries can provide for 20 hours before the voltage drops below a certain level, usually down to 10.5-10.8 volts. If you drain the battery below this voltage point, you can easily cause permanent damage to the battery and will have to get it replaced.
The number of amp-hours (Ah), or “amp hours” in short, represents the amount of energy that your vehicle’s battery can store. The more Amp Hours you have, the longer your battery will hold a charge and the better it will run.
For example, a fully charged 12V battery at 80°F (~25°C) delivers for 20 hours before its voltage falls below 10.5V.
Typical car batteries feature nominal capacity in the 50-100 Ah range, with large diesel-powered trucks often having 100+ Ah batteries.
Hot Cranking Amps (HCA) is the maximum current value that a new, fully charged, 12V battery can deliver for 30 seconds, with the voltage NOT dropping below 7.2V, at 80°F (27°C).
The manufacturer determines the battery's Hot Cranking Amps (HCA) value. Still, most manufacturers state that this number should be no less than 100% of the battery’s nominal capacity. You can find your battery’s HCA on the battery itself.
