", "Didn't know which to take off first, negative or positive. While it’s true maintenance-free car batteries don’t require much maintenance, it’s not true you’re completely off the hook when it comes to battery care. ACDelco 47AGM Professional AGM Automotive Battery, 7 And if you’re wondering about the product’s lifespan, the manufacturer claims it’s 15 times more resistant to vibration, which means the battery should last up to three times longer than conventional car batteries. But, they do have one drawback — a short lifespan. The charge level will drop, and there is a chance that your vehicle won't start, you will have to jump start it or charge the battery. Kinetik 600-Watt 12-Volt AGM Car Audio Battery, 10 things to consider when buying a car battery, Add With its SpiralCell technology, where one coated plate is positive and another negative, this battery has high critical tolerances when it comes to temperature and vibration. Deep cycle batteries are not only more powerful at providing power but can do so over a longer period of time. When your car’s battery dies, it can be convenient to get a new battery delivered to you, especially if you don’t have a reliable method of transportation to the store. Optima Batteries RedTop 34/78. Consumer Reports recommends having your car battery checked and tested by regularly even if it’s labeled maintenance free — once a year once it’s two years old if you live in a warmer climate, or once a year once it’s four years old if you live in a colder climate. By using our site, you agree to our. Batteries that require no maintenance are sealed for protection, and the liquid electrolyte can run throughout the battery with no need for replacement. Importantly, the product is 100-percent pressure and electrical short tested for maximum safety. But, not all manufacturers use the same code for their batteries, so it’s important to check for yourself. This is actually a bad idea because most modern vehicles have a bunch of computer and electronic systems that do not like being deprived of power for extended periods of time, even if the car is not in use. If I disconnect the battery from a Zafira '09, will the computer reset itself when a new battery is fitted? If the cable is seized to the battery post, a special battery cable removal tool may be needed to remove the negative connector. Optima Batteries D35 Dual Purpose Battery, 6 Use only distilled water to fill the cells and only add it after you check water levels — this is usually every 10 charges of the battery. Size 48 (H6): European and American cars, including BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi, Jeep, Volvo, Chevy, Cadillac, Buick. Grab a socket from your socket kit and hold it near, but not against, the nut on the negative terminal of your battery. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. To find the best car battery for your vehicle, pay attention to battery size (width, length, and weight) and terminals. Here are a few simple and easy-to-follow steps that can help you with the task. Plus, it’s maintenance-free, so you never have to add any water. This isn’t a factor when the car is driven regularly, allowing the alternator to replenish the battery. Most automotive part stores will test it for you for free. The Typical Cost of a Car Battery. Whether you drive a sports car, an SUV, or a minivan, good-quality, affordable automotive batteries are available, and we are here to help you out. Attach and tighten the positive cable first, then the negative. Though it might seem intimidating, the process is incredibly simple and can be done in less than a minute once you know how. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. The Odyssey PC680 batteries are Extreme Series batteries designed for powersport vehicles that require high-quality, powerful components. Using an old toothbrush, brush the tray and battery cables with a diluted baking-soda mixture and allow them to dry before putting in your new car battery. They do their job regardless of heat, cold weather and the drivers who demand so much of them. Yes; time and date will have to be reset. Do not try to test your battery's charge by touching the positive and negative terminals with a metal tool. These auto batteries are quite handy — they store a lot of energy (much more than conventional), they’re lightweight and compact and they can be rapidly recharged. If you’re planning to go on a vacation and you want to make sure your car battery is all nice and charged, you may think it’s a good idea to disconnect it from your car for about a week or so before you travel. Size 49 (H8): many European and Asian cars, including BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Hyundai. Work outside, where gases have no chance to build up. Like all things, car batteries have their myths  - some come from people who mean well but don’t know enough about the topic, but some are just pure lies. Avoid falling for the following car battery myths as they’re just bad advice! Be sure to read it all (or at least the most of it!) Keep in mind that car batteries can weigh 40 lbs. Get your new battery and rest assured your old one will be properly disposed of. Once the battery is fully charged, it can be tested to determine whether it is good or bad. Put the new battery in the tray so that the positive post matches the positive terminal. In addition, the product is tolerant to extreme heat, which is an important feature for powersport vehicle batteries. Yes, Walmart sells Duracell Car Batteries, and you can find it at any Walmart stores around. Designed for use as a secondary battery, it provides reinforcement for your amplifiers and subwoofer. The battery is designed to be spill-proof and is maintenance-free. Remove the negative (its color is black) cable from the battery using a wrench. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The Kinetic HC Blu Series SLA AGM Power Cell is affordable, powerful, and a great car audio battery. Take Advantage of Our Battery Recycling Program. It’s important to buy a fresh car battery as they lose strength over time, like when they’re stored in storage for a long time. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Pull the negative connector from the battery after you've loosened the nut. Last year, our ASE-certified technicians installed more than 425,000 new car batteries made by brands you trust like Champion, Bosch, and Optima. Approved. ", "Article covered all safety precautions. Keep in mind that to charge a completely discharged battery you need more than eight hours, so it’s best to leave it on overnight. Ascertain visually the socket size you'll need to loosen the nut. The wiring is usually color-coded in orange. Overall, this great quality, budget-friendly car battery is an excellent option. Obviously you may need to remove the battery and use another vehicle to get it there. This article has been viewed 1,905,582 times. As for how much water, only add enough to cover the plastic element protector by about ¾ below the top of the cell. Compared to other vehicle maintenance tasks, replacing your car battery is relatively inexpensive, but a good battery can still easily top $100. Why must I remove the negative terminal first? Size 51R: many Japanese cars, including Nissan, Mazda, and Honda. In addition, Optima batteries are maintenance-free, so you can say goodbye to adding water to your car battery. While this service isn’t widely available, a few companies offer it, and some will even install the new battery for you. If you’re in a hurry and you need some quick power to get on your with your day, use jumper cables to get energy from another car. If I remove the battery from the car for one day, will it damage the computer box? Having said that, even maintenance-free batteries should be checked from time to time. An alternator charges your battery when the car is running. Why do my car headlights turn off when I press on the brake? For example, A/5 means that the battery was made for January 2015, while B/4 means it was manufactured for February 2014 (letters are months). Ask your local auto parts store or mechanic. He is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified and has over 9 years of experience working with companies such as Valvoline, Instant Oil Change, National Tire & Battery, and Tires Plus. Its design is virtually spill and leak-proof, and maintenance is not required. This is quick and painless, but if your car battery can’t hold a charge properly, you’ll have to jump it every time you want to drive, which is obviously something you want to avoid.