4 minute read
Best Batteries
from 8ferferferf
by Thomas Swift
Don’t Get Stranded— Get the Right Battery
Check out our ratings to find the correct battery for your vehicle
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UNLESS YOU’RE STUCK somewhere with a car that won’t start, you probably aren’t thinking about your car’s battery.
But car batteries are always on our minds at Consumer Reports. We lab test 150 of them each year, charging and discharging them thousands of times to nd out how long they’ll last, putting them in a freezer to see how they perform at 0° F, and tracking how long they let you leave your headlights on before they die.
This extensive testing means you can rely on our recommendations to pick the best, most a ordable battery for your car—ideally, before it dies.
Know the Warning Signs
Contrary to conventional wisdom, most damage to your battery happens in summer, when high temperatures can accelerate a battery’s decline. Once your battery is weakened, wintertime’s low temperatures—which also thickens engine oil—could be the nal straw.
Your rst indication of battery failure might be a no-start, but you may have missed earlier, more subtle warnings. Signs of impending failure include: The engine cranks slowly when the ignition key is turned. Headlights dim when the car is idling. Time. Batteries usually last about two to four years in hot climates, and four to six years in cooler climates. And the obvious: A battery warning light appears on the instrument panel.
Determining what’s wrong takes some digging. Those warning signs could also indicate that you have a failing charging system or corroded battery cables. If you experience those symptoms, a repair shop can perform a simple check of your battery and charging system. Those checks are usually free with the understanding that the shop will perform any needed repairs.
AGM Battery Confusion
Many higher-end vehicles require an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery. Never replace a factory-installed AGM with a traditional lead-acid battery, even if it costs less. It may not provide the power your vehicle needs, and if it is mounted in the trunk or passenger compartment, it may vent dangerous toxic gases or leak electrolytes.
Accentuate the Positive We charge and discharge batteries thousands of times to find out how long they’ll last.
INSIDE C R’S LABS
The Right Type
Before you buy a new car battery, know the correct group number for your vehicle, which varies depending on make, model, year, and engine size.
Batteries are grouped by physical size, type and placement of the terminals, and mounting style. The battery will fit its tray and the leads will connect properly if you replace your battery with one from the same group.
Group numbers are usually printed on the batteries themselves. A used car may have the wrong size installed, so check your owner’s manual.
Brand & Model Overall Score Price Test Results
GROUP 65 0 ! Super Start Platinum AGM 65PLT 91 0 ! Interstate MT7-65 91 0 ! Duralast Platinum 65-AGM 86 0 ! NAPA Legend Premium 8465 85 0 ! DieHard Advanced Gold 50765 84 0 $ EverStart Maxx-65S (South) 80 0 ! Bosch 65-850B 78
GROUP 24 & 24F 0 ! NAPA Legend Premium 8424F 90 0 ! DieHard Gold 50823 (North) 89 0 ! DieHard Gold 50923 (South) 88 0 $ EverStart Maxx-24F 86 0 ! Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24 86 0 ! Super Start Extreme 24EXT 86 0 ! Bosch 24-700B 85
GROUP 35 0 $ EverStart Maxx-35N (North) 92 0 ! DieHard Gold 50835 (North) 88 0 ! Bosch 35-640B 85
GROUP 48 0 ! Interstate MT7-48/H6 (Green) 93 0 ! DieHard Gold 50948 (South) 80 0 ! Interstate Mega-Tr MTP-48/H6 on Plus 78
GROUP 51R 0 ! Duracell 51R
81 0 ! Super Start Premium 51RPRM 80 0 ! Autocraft Gold 51R-2 76 0 ! Optima 8073-167 D51R Yellow Top 74 0 $ Titan 51R 70
GROUP 49 (H8) 0 ! ACDelco 49 AGM 0 ! Interstate Mega-Tr MTP-49/H8 on Plus 0 $ Duracell 49 H8 0 ! Autocraft Gold 49H8 90
86
81
81
GROUP 47 (H5) 0 $ Duracell Platinum AGM 47(H5) 91 0 ! DieHard Gold 50947 (South) 82 0 ! Autocraft Gold 47H5 81 0 $ Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-47/H5 79
Life Reserve capacity CCA
