How to choose the battery for the car

1. Capacity

One of the key parameters of any battery which is measured in ampere-hours (Ah, Ah). On passenger cars, depending on the size and type of engine, the battery capacity may be from 45 to 66 Ah. The most common is the battery capacity of 60 Ah - they are installed on the majority of cars with petrol motors in volume from 1.3 to 1.9 liters.

Battery capacity for diesel engines and off-road vehicles with a large engine capacity can be up to 75 and even 90 Ah.

Capacity means available supply of energy. In other words, how many times in a row you'll be able to crank the starter frozen in the cold engine.

In theory, you can install a car battery larger capacity and gain an advantage, but in practice it is not so simple. First, the battery can be fully charged from a regular generator. Secondly, due to the large size of the battery is not always a place.

Therefore, it is better to stick to the manufacturer's recommendations and using the battery rated capacity. Find out exactly what you can in the manual or auto consulting the label on the old battery.

2. Starting current

Another fundamental characteristic that plays an even greater role than capacity. Denotes the maximum current value that the battery can give a short period of time from 10 to 30 seconds at a temperature of -18 ° C. The inrush current is always indicated on the label in amperes. The higher the value, the better the engine is started.

There are three main standards marking the starting current depending on the battery manufacturer and the country of destination. In Russia and in Europe spread classification EN, in Germany - DIN, and in the USA - SAE.

Standards EN, DIN, SAE differ. Therefore, comparing the performance of two batteries, pay attention to size.

The average value of the starting current for cars with petrol engines is about 255 A for diesel engines - 300 A.

If possible, it is better to buy a battery with higher inrush current. These batteries are more expensive, but is guaranteed to allow start the engine even in the bitter cold.

3. dimensions

Depending on the capacity and size of the brand of car batteries differ. The passenger is most often used two basic sizes: European and Asian. The first lower and longer, higher and narrower than the latter.

Dimensions standard European battery 60 Ah - 242 × 175 × 190 mm. Asian analogue of the same capacity has a size of 232 × 173 × 225 mm.

The site is designed to be installed directly below the battery dimensions, so shove a battery of a different size will not work. Exceptions are cars with a few modifications on the same basis. In this case the free space can be.

In order not to lose in the purchase, be sure to check the documentation of the machines or measure the old battery. However, you can just buy a battery of the same capacity as the old one: as a rule, within the same denomination batteries are the same size.

4. type of mounting

In addition to size, it is important to set the type of attachment. in European machines the battery is secured via clamping plates, which cling to the protrusions in the lower housing. Asian car such ledges there, and the battery is pressed against the floor frame or bar, which are attached on top of the studs.

Check which attachment is used on your car, and buy the appropriate type of battery. From mounting reliability will depend on the service life of the battery, because of excessive vibration and shock plate and crumble prematurely become useless.

5. Polarity

Another difference in battery design - it is their polarity, or in other words, the arrangement of the electrodes. It is forward and backward. In the battery with direct polarity the positive electrode on the left, are used on domestic cars. A foreign car batteries often used with reverse polarity, which is a plus on the right.

Find out what the polarity of the battery in your car, you can, as always, of the operating instructions or a closer look at the old battery. To do this, you need to expand it so that the electrodes are closer to you, and to determine the location of the positive terminal.

6. serviceability

Now available on the market low-maintenance and maintenance-free batteries. As the name implies, the first involves some care and control, while the latter do not require any intervention from the outside during the whole period of operation.

Low-maintenance batteries have a democratic price. From time to time they need to check the level and density of the electrolyte, topping up with distilled water if necessary. This is done through the stopper on the upper lid, which sometimes may be concealed by a small removable bar.

Neobsluzhivamye battery self-sufficient and do not require attention. They are less prone to electrolyte boiling, so fill up in them that is not necessary. To check the state of charge using a special eye, signaling the need to recharge. Additional elements on the battery cover is not.

7. Appearance

Before you buy you should make sure that the battery is no chips, cracks or other damage, as well as electrolyte smudges. Battery electrodes must be free scratch, Distortions, and marks on the installation terminals. Otherwise, it is likely that in front of you a used copy that, for some reason, returned to the store.

8. date of manufacture

Many motorists tend not to buy batteries, dating back more than a year. And it is right. Battery life is reckoned from the date of the electrolyte rather than from the beginning of use. Therefore it is better not to take the unsold stock battery, even with a good discount.

Learn battery manufacturing date can be on stamped on the body of the code. Manufacturers use different labeling, information about which can be found on the official websites.

For example, consider how the release date is indicated on the batteries of popular brands.

• "AkTeh", "beast", Duo Extra - four-digit code XXXX, where the first two digits indicate the number of the month, and the last - year. For example, 0918 - This September 2018-th.
• «Yamal», Batbear, «Tyumen Bear" - a six-digit code XXXXXX, where the first two numbers - the month and the last four - year of production. For example, 072,018 would mean July 2018.
• Titan, Cobat - a five-digit code XXXXX. The second and third digits indicate the week of production, and the fourth character - a year in the form of the Latin letter (S - 2017, T - 2018, the X - 2019). 135T2 code is read as the end of August (35th week) in 2018.
• Bosch, Varta - a year and a month indicates the first character of the four-digit code FIFO. The value can be determined by table. Th September 2018 corresponds letter Q, October - R, November - S and so on in alphabetical order.

9. Brand and Store

Lesser known brands bribed an affordable price, has proven like Bosch and Varta brands justify the high price of quality and reliability.

What the manufacturer to choose, you decide, but to buy the battery still better in a specialty store. In this case, you can be assured of the product's originality and provide guarantees.

10. Check when buying

Before you buy the battery, it should be checked with a load fork or a special tester that in a good store at your fingertips.

Tension so-called idling, that is, no load must be within 12,5-12,7 V. charge level below 12.5 indicates that the battery must be recharge. But if you can, it is better to take the other copy.

When connecting the load 150-180 Ah within 10 seconds the voltage should not fall below 11 V. On battery purchases, which can not withstand these parameters, too, should be abandoned.

helpful hints

And finally, a few guidelines that will facilitate the purchase and will help the new battery will last as long as possible.

• Do not rush to dispose of the old battery, taken from the car. Return it to the store and get an extra discount on a new one.
• Ask the experts to check the relay and charging your car to make sure that it produces the required voltage. Typically in the range 13,8-14,5 V.
• After buying the battery does not charge it lazy bit small current for 2-3 hours.
• Avoid complete discharge the battery to extend its life.
• Control charge level. If you drive a little and for short distances, once a month, charge the battery from the mains charger.
• Watch out for the terminals and clean them from oxides that degrade the contact and cause the battery undercharged.