Yahoo Autos How to Choose the Best Car Battery
This story was updated on August 9, 2022 with new products and information.
We've all experienced the stomach-churning trauma of a dead car battery. You need to be somewhere and you're running late. You jump in, twist the key or push the start button, and . . . nothing! Or maybe just a sickening click-click. Suddenly you need a jump-start or, worse, a tow. And probably a new battery, too. But which one? So many brands, types, prices, and places to buy them. Which to choose and why?
Top-Rated Car Batteries
What's the Best Car Battery, Anyway?
The simple answer to "What's the best battery?" is "the one that's specified for your vehicle." You don't need to be an expert to make an informed, cost-efficient purchase. Check your owner's manual for your original battery's size, specifications, and ratings. You can also find which one you need from guides in the auto-parts store or online.
Replacing a battery yourself is an option; it's not particularly difficult. Some shops offer free installation—but only if the battery is purchased from them.
If you're buying one of the batteries above online and installing it yourself, be sure to check your owner's manual for critical information before purchasing your new battery. Modern cars have specific requirements on their electrical systems, and the wrong power source could leave you stranded.
[A word to the wise: We've had terrible luck with car parts and automotive accessories using Amazon's online "Confirmed Fit" tool. Probably half of the windshield wipers we ordered, for example, didn't fit the car we specified. Always, always go straight to your owner's manual for the recommended specs and size, and stick to those guidelines when purchasing model- or size-specific parts and accessories from Amazon.]
Most batteries are located up front, under the hood, where they're easy to access and replace with a couple of wrenches. But some are buried in the trunk or elsewhere—not so easy to find, let alone remove and replace.
Just remember, the negative terminal is always the first thing you disconnect and the last thing you reconnect.
Check the Size before You Buy
Regardless of whether you're doing it in your driveway or letting a shop install, it's a good idea to first make sure you're buying the correct physical size. A number of sizes fit today's wide variety of vehicles.
For instance, size 24/24F (top terminal) batteries fit many Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti vehicles, while size 35 (top terminal) units fit many other Japanese vehicles, including recent Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas, and Subarus.
