What car battery do I need?

Thursday 17th August 2023

Battery flat? Or perhaps it’s showing signs it’s faulty? It may be time for a replacement. But how do you know which is the best car battery for your vehicle? From what car batteries actually do to considerations for choosing a battery, learn everything you need to know from our detailed guide.

What is a car battery?

A car battery provides your vehicle with electricity which is used to perform various jobs. This rechargeable battery is critical to your vehicle – as, without it, you’d have trouble even starting your engine. Commonly located in the engine bay at the front of the car under the bonnet, the car battery is a plastic box which has two connection points called terminals which connect your car’s electrical system.

So, what does a car battery do? Car batteries are integral to your vehicle. When your car battery is flat or faulty, there will not be enough power to start the engine. That’s why ensuring you have the correct working battery for your vehicle is so important. As well as starting the ignition, your car battery powers your indicators, interior, rear and headlights as well as any electrical items such as Satnavs, phone chargers and cigarette lighters.

What battery does my car need?

There are various factors to consider when deciding what is the right battery for your vehicle. Often, this cannot be determined by non-motoring experts – which is where Formula One Autocentres comes in. Firstly, it’s important to address the element of car battery size:

What size car battery do I need?

One of the main differences between types of car battery is the size. The size of your vehicle can often determine which size battery you’ll need. However, unless you’re an expert, it’s hard to tell which battery is the right one for your motor. That’s why we offer a free battery check from your local Formula One Autocentres – here, our trained experts will be able to perform a health check and determine whether your battery is faulty, flat or needs replacing. We will then advise you which car battery your vehicle needs.

AH & CCA

There are also other things we’ll consider when choosing which car battery is the best for your vehicle:

• Ampere/hours (AH) – this refers to how long the battery should last before you’d need to recharge it.
• Cold cranking amps (CCA) – this refers to the vehicle’s capability of starting the engine during the colder seasons.

Although it may seem like a no brainer to buy a battery with a high CCA rating, it’s important to know whether the specific brand and make of your vehicle would benefit – as some vehicles may not be able to handle all the benefits that come with this battery. The experts at Formula One Autocentres will be able to advise you on this choice.

Suspect problems with your car battery? Book your free battery health check today from your local Formula One Autocentres. Our expert team will be able to advise you of the next best steps and the best car battery for your vehicle.