Which battery for my car?

How do you know which battery is right for your car? Here are some quick tips to help you make the right choice.

Check your vehicle manual for the original equipment manufacturer's recommendations for:

Battery group size - the battery size that will best fit the physical dimensions of your vehicle. Many vehicles can accommodate more than one group size.

Cold cranking amps (CCA) - CCA is critical for good cranking ability. It's the number of amps a battery can support for 30 seconds at a temperature of -18 degrees celsius until the battery voltage drops to unusable levels.

Reserve capacity (RC) - helps to power your vehicle's electrical system if the alternator fails. It identifies how many minutes the battery can supply ample power without falling below the minimum voltage needed to run your vehicle.

In general, for both CCA and RC, the higher the number the better. However, if you live in a cold climate, the CCA rating should be an important consideration in choosing a battery. Conversely, if you live in a high-heat climate, you don't need as much CCA.

If you're looking for a deep cycle battery for marine or RV use, you must also consider:

• The type of equipment to be powered
• The number of amps needed to run the equipment
• The number of hours you'll be using the equipment

Multiply the amps by the hours to determine the amp hours, or AH, required.

Equipment Current Draw (Amps) x Time (Hours) = AH

Example: Fishing Boat

Lights 10 x 5 = 50

Trolling Motor 1 x 5 = 5

Fish Locator 3 x 5 = 15

Radio 1 x 5 = 5

Total = 75 AH*

*Look for a battery that will deliver the required amount of AH for the specified time and voltage.

For a safety cushion, increase the number of AH by 20%.