Car battery sizes guide
Car battery size and choosing the correct battery for your make and model of vehicle is important – pick the wrong one, then no matter your cars specification, or how well it is maintained, it simply will not perform as it should or could.
Your car battery powers the spark that ignites the fuel that gets you started. It also helps give power to your lights, indicators, navigational system, dash-cams, windscreen wipers and electric windows, along with many other on-board electrical features.
Car batteries have an average life span of between three to five years, providing it’s the correct car battery size for your vehicle; fitting the wrong size can mean unreliability and frequent breakdowns.
There are various factors that need to be considered when choosing your new battery. Along with the battery size you must also pay attention to:
- The location of the terminals
- The type of the terminal (standard post, Japanese post, side terminal, or square bolt-through)
- The number of cells
- The voltage
- The cold cranking amperage (CCA)
The Amp/hour rating
Choosing the wrong size battery can be dangerous and damage your vehicle. Therefore, it is important to seek advice from an expert if you are unsure or need more information.
Just because a battery fits conveniently into the vehicles battery holding tray does not mean it’s the right one.
Battery group sizes are numbers and letters that have been assigned to the battery to represent the ‘group size’ that the battery belongs to. This designation code includes the make, model, and engine type of the vehicle that the battery can be fitted to. Car batteries should fit snuggly in their holding tray to prevent being thrown around whilst the vehicle is in motion.
The RAC battery finder and fitting service can help you find the correct size battery for your car in seconds, have it delivered, and even fit it in a time frame and location of your choice with just a few clicks of a button, it couldn’t be easier.
As with most things, it’s always worth shopping around to make sure you’re getting the best product, at the best price. Choosing the right battery for your car will help ensure your car performs as it should as well as minimise the risk of costly breakdowns. We constantly price match our batteries but from time to time you may find a like for like battery at a lower price. If this is the case please let us know as we will do our very best to beat that price.
Whichever battery you have, make sure you use the right charger. Choose the correct charger for your battery by clicking on the link, or if you would prefer to speak with one of our advisors regarding the appropriate battery or charger for your vehicle, then give us a call on 0800 8620676. We are here to help.
