Choosing the right car battery for the winter

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Batteries for a good quality car “live” on average for 5–6 years. Under conditions of proper operation, the service life can reach even 7–8 years. However, in winter, there is still a risk that at some very inopportune moment the car may not be wound up.

Batteries for winter

Хотя средний «возраст» автомобильных батарей 5–6 лет, очень часто бывает, что они умирают быстрее. Особенно это бывает в случаях с новыми автомобилями бюджетного класса. Вся проблема в том, что на некоторые автомобили отечественного автопрома традиционно ставят самые дешёвые батареи. В них пластины изготовлены из вторичного свинца. Такая батарея если два года отслужит — то это неплохо.Читать далее о том, как правильно выбрать автомобильный аккумулятор на зиму-->

How to choose the battery for the winter

With the advent of cold, many car enthusiasts are seeking in car supermarkets for new batteries. What kind of battery is needed and how to make the right choice, because the range of models is quite wide? What you should pay attention in the first place? To purchase a quality battery for the winter, you need:

  • Examine the models presented in your city, visit several supermarkets, check out the prices;
  • Learn the basic parameters of your car, which play a role when choosing (air conditioning, engine size, its type and so on);
  • Read the instructions for your car - it contains information about what kind of device is needed;
  • Decide what kind of battery capacity is needed (and it should not be less than the old battery, but should not exceed it by more than 10%).
  • Depending on the amount, select the class (premium, standard, and so on);
  • Carefully inspect the product, pay attention to the presence of special taps for gases;
  • Read the operating instructions for the new battery - it contains all the necessary information.

What to look for

When choosing a battery for the winter in the first place should pay attention to the capacity of the battery itself. You should choose exactly the one specified in the instruction manual for your car. The larger the capacity, the more energy a battery can accumulate. Experts recommend purchasing a device with the same capacity, which is required. Otherwise you will spend your money in vain.

Car battery capacity

Car battery capacity

The next item is the size of the terminals and the dimensions of the battery itself. Experienced drivers know that almost all batteries have the same standards. The only exceptions are cars made in Japan (their dimensions are somewhat different from the standard ones). Here you can contact your nearest car dealership or workshop, where you will be prompted by the required parameters.

Also pay attention to the location of connectors - with a different location you may not have enough wires to the terminal.

The next important parameter is the starting current, which characterizes the energy supplied to the starter before turning on the engine. If the new battery is designed for old cars with high mileage, you should pay special attention to this indicator. Standard batteries are designed to be used at a temperature of 27 degrees. In the cold season, the starting capacity of the battery can be reduced to 60%, which is not enough even to start the engine.

With regard to pricing, for batteries for winter, there are three main classes of devices: economy, standard and premium. Their main difference in the manufacturer and technology that were used in the manufacture of batteries. Experts recommend to dwell on the standard class models, as they have the best price / quality ratio. Premium class models stand out for greater capacity, service life and guarantees, as well as the quality of the device itself.

Premium Battery

Premium Class Device

For the use of the battery in the winter season, the “cold current” parameter is particularly important. The higher the “cold current” indicator, the more amperes the device is able to issue under conditions of exposure to low temperatures.

Expert advice

Usually, battery manufacturers offer a two-year warranty, but this is the minimum the battery should last. Good quality products “live” on average for 5–6 years. Under conditions of proper operation, the service life may even reach 7–8 years, but in winter there is already a risk that at some very inopportune moment the car may not be started.

In order for the battery to last for 5–6 years, it is necessary to carry out its maintenance once a year, namely, to check the battery charge level and, if necessary, to fully charge it with a special charger. You also need to pay attention to the density of the electrolyte. If the density does not meet the standards, you should refill the battery with electrolyte.

Charger для аккумулятора

Charger

One of the reasons that affect the premature wear of the battery can even be a generator failure. If the generator does not work well, the battery does not receive a full charge when the car engine is started. Consequently, this entails the rapid deterioration of the battery.

In order not to purchase a fake, carefully read the battery labeling, instructions, and the availability of a warranty on the battery. The housing must be strong and free from visible defects, and the terminals are clean.

Fog lights may be another reason for premature battery wear. Discounts for new cars! Profitable loan from 9.9% installments 0% adom.ru and other electric bells and whistles. If, say, the fog is not connected through a relay, but directly to the battery, then it will wear out faster. Also, you should not count on long-term battery operation in cases when the car spends the night in the open air in winter.

As you can see, in order to choose the battery for winter correctly, it is enough to correctly determine the necessary parameters of the device. If you have ever come across such a choice, share comments under this article.

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