Buying a New Car Battery

[V***@gmail.com]

Hi all. I'm in need of a new Battery for my 98 Lexus GS 300. I've
never bought one before come to think of it. I do know electrical
problems are a major pain and it is my top priority not to risk
creating one with a cheap or incorrect battery.

Is there a difference in battery brands? What is a good brand? Is it
something I do myself or do I take it in? Where would be a good place
to buy one or have one installed? Sears, Pep Boys, and Wal-Mart are
about the only places I can think of.

Thanks!!!!!

[Larry Rogers]

Buy the biggest battery that will fit into the car. Two things to keep in
mind... the physical size and the CCA. The physical size determines if the
new battery will fit into the car. The Cold Cranking Amps is the muscle size
of the battery... how much oomph it has to start the engine. You will see
two numbers on the battery... the Cranking Amps (how much power it has on a
warm day) and the Cold Cranking Amps (how much power it has on a cold day).
Typical numbers are 525 CA and 600 CCA. Or 650 CA and 725 CCA.

Or if you want to play it safe, just go into any autoparts store (Pep-Boys,
Sears, Discount Auto) and they will install one for you, although it will be
the same size and capacity as the one you have now. Nothing wrong with that.
I just always use the biggest battery I can put in there. TIWAGOS.

Larry
In the back yard, under the oak.

[Jay Somerset]

Post by Larry Rogers
Buy the biggest battery that will fit into the car. Two things to keep in
mind... the physical size and the CCA. The physical size determines if the
new battery will fit into the car. The Cold Cranking Amps is the muscle size
of the battery... how much oomph it has to start the engine. You will see
two numbers on the battery... the Cranking Amps (how much power it has on a
warm day) and the Cold Cranking Amps (how much power it has on a cold day).
Typical numbers are 525 CA and 600 CCA. Or 650 CA and 725 CCA.

Aren't these numbers reversed? A battery's cranking power is LOWER
when it is cold.

Post by Larry Rogers
Or if you want to play it safe, just go into any autoparts store (Pep-Boys,
Sears, Discount Auto) and they will install one for you, although it will be
the same size and capacity as the one you have now. Nothing wrong with that.
I just always use the biggest battery I can put in there. TIWAGOS.
Larry
In the back yard, under the oak.

[Larry Rogers]

Jay asked.... "Aren't these number reversed? A battery's cranking power is
LOWER when it is cold."
Answer... OOPS! Sorry, you're right. I reversed the letters. CA stands for
Cranking Amps and is the higher number.. CCA stands for Cold Cranking Amps
and is the lower number.

Most batteries are made by just three different companies.... Exide, Johnson
Controls, and East Penn (Delphi). Delphi makes ACDelco. Exide makes
Champion, Exide, and NAPA. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast
(AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), and Motorcraft (Ford). All three
make EverStarts for Wal-Mart. If you want to start a battery company called
Jay's Jalopy Jolters, then give these guys a call and they can put you into
the business. So much for brand names.

CCA's (Cold Cranking Amps) are a measure of how much power a battery has at
zero degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the CCA rating, the more starting
current the battery delivers to the starter, regardless of temperature. CA
(Cranking Amps) is measured at 32 degrees. That being said, hot weather is
harder on batteries because heat saps more life over time. Add the extra
drain from the air conditioning and higher under-hood temperatures and you
begin to see why the Southern climates are so hard on batteries. Most
batteries are designed for Northern or Southern climates and are sold only
in those regions. So be sure to tell Exide that you are going to sell Jay's
Jalopy Jolters in Montana and they will make up the batteries for cold
weather. If you are selling them in Montgomery, the specs will be different.

Group Size is the physical dimensions of the battery and the placement of
the terminals. Group Size 75 fits mainly General Motors cars. Size 65 fits
most Ford products (Lincoln, Mercury, etc.) Most rice burners (Hondas,
Nissans, Toyotas) use size 35. Most Chryslers use 34. There are a few
cross-overs like 34/78 that has two sets of terminals and fits some
Chryslers and some GM's.

When I said "get the biggest battery with the most CCA's" ... there is one
caveat. Don't go more than about 150 or 200 CCA's higher than your cars
recommended rating. No need to spend the extra money and the alternator
probably can't handle it anyway.

Larry
In the back yard, under the oak.

[mcbrue]

As usual, Larry is right. Get the big battery from Sears. Make sure it
is the gold or platinum or whatever diehard. And make sure it has lots
of juice. I never thought of not getting the most cca I could, and
that point about too many is something I will have to think about!

mcbrue in the trailer down by the river under the bridge

[newman]

thanks Larry, that's good info.

But just because the same company make batteries for different retailers,
does that mean the batteries have the same quality (assuming identical size
and specs) regardless of who is selling them?

Last battery I purchased was from Autozone and it has been a really good
battery.
"Larry Rogers" <***@strato.net> wrote in message news:***@corp.supernews.com...
Jay asked.... "Aren't these number reversed? A battery's cranking power is
LOWER when it is cold."
Answer... OOPS! Sorry, you're right. I reversed the letters. CA stands for
Cranking Amps and is the higher number.. CCA stands for Cold Cranking Amps
and is the lower number.

Most batteries are made by just three different companies.... Exide, Johnson
Controls, and East Penn (Delphi). Delphi makes ACDelco. Exide makes
Champion, Exide, and NAPA. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast
(AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), and Motorcraft (Ford). All three
make EverStarts for Wal-Mart. If you want to start a battery company called
Jay's Jalopy Jolters, then give these guys a call and they can put you into
the business. So much for brand names.

CCA's (Cold Cranking Amps) are a measure of how much power a battery has at
zero degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the CCA rating, the more starting
current the battery delivers to the starter, regardless of temperature. CA
(Cranking Amps) is measured at 32 degrees. That being said, hot weather is
harder on batteries because heat saps more life over time. Add the extra
drain from the air conditioning and higher under-hood temperatures and you
begin to see why the Southern climates are so hard on batteries. Most
batteries are designed for Northern or Southern climates and are sold only
in those regions. So be sure to tell Exide that you are going to sell Jay's
Jalopy Jolters in Montana and they will make up the batteries for cold
weather. If you are selling them in Montgomery, the specs will be different.

Group Size is the physical dimensions of the battery and the placement of
the terminals. Group Size 75 fits mainly General Motors cars. Size 65 fits
most Ford products (Lincoln, Mercury, etc.) Most rice burners (Hondas,
Nissans, Toyotas) use size 35. Most Chryslers use 34. There are a few
cross-overs like 34/78 that has two sets of terminals and fits some
Chryslers and some GM's.

When I said "get the biggest battery with the most CCA's" ... there is one
caveat. Don't go more than about 150 or 200 CCA's higher than your cars
recommended rating. No need to spend the extra money and the alternator
probably can't handle it anyway.

Larry
In the back yard, under the oak.

[Larry]

Newman asks.... "But just because the same company make batteries for
different retailers,
does that mean the batteries have the same quality (assuming identical size
and specs) regardless of who is selling them?"

Answer... No. Jay can specify to Exide that his Jalopy Jolters have thinner
plates or thicker plates, which will affect overall life as well as reserve
capacity (the number of minutes a battery can be discharged at 25 amps and
maintain a voltage of 10.5 volts). There are other variables that can be
changed and still remain within range of labeling specs. That's why a
Diehard will out last a Bargain Bob's Best Battery in a straight up test.
Remember the winter time commercials from Sears with all those cars out in a
snowy parking lot and the lights were left on all day and now you need to
get home and the Sears Diehard is the only one that still has juice?
Remember those ads? There was some truth in those ads. Maybe not much, but
some.

Larry
In the back yard, under the oak.

[j***@hotmail.com]

Sure, the batteries are different specs. For example JCI makes three
grades. But Walmart carries their top grade with more reserve. Just
don't go with any blue light special is what I'm saying.

Post by Larry
Newman asks.... "But just because the same company make batteries for
different retailers,
does that mean the batteries have the same quality (assuming identical size
and specs) regardless of who is selling them?"
Answer... No. Jay can specify to Exide that his Jalopy Jolters have thinner
plates or thicker plates, which will affect overall life as well as reserve
capacity (the number of minutes a battery can be discharged at 25 amps and
maintain a voltage of 10.5 volts). There are other variables that can be
changed and still remain within range of labeling specs. That's why a
Diehard will out last a Bargain Bob's Best Battery in a straight up test.
Remember the winter time commercials from Sears with all those cars out in a
snowy parking lot and the lights were left on all day and now you need to
get home and the Sears Diehard is the only one that still has juice?
Remember those ads? There was some truth in those ads. Maybe not much, but
some.

[j***@hotmail.com]

Great point there Larry. I change the Walmart $39 special (now $45)
every 5 years no questions asked. Why, because AC Delco Maintenance
free ($80) is very hard to find in 24F. Those I'll swap out 7-8 years.
I don't want undue stresses on the alternator. It's much more
expensive.

My rule of thumb is to get the biggest battery (capacity/CCA) in
there. And the Johnson Controls from Walmart is excellent.

Post by Larry Rogers
Jay asked.... "Aren't these number reversed? A battery's cranking power is
LOWER when it is cold."
Answer... OOPS! Sorry, you're right. I reversed the letters. CA stands for
Cranking Amps and is the higher number.. CCA stands for Cold Cranking Amps
and is the lower number.
Most batteries are made by just three different companies.... Exide, Johnson
Controls, and East Penn (Delphi). Delphi makes ACDelco. Exide makes
Champion, Exide, and NAPA. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast
(AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), and Motorcraft (Ford). All three
make EverStarts for Wal-Mart. If you want to start a battery company called
Jay's Jalopy Jolters, then give these guys a call and they can put you into
the business. So much for brand names.
CCA's (Cold Cranking Amps) are a measure of how much power a battery has at
zero degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the CCA rating, the more starting
current the battery delivers to the starter, regardless of temperature. CA
(Cranking Amps) is measured at 32 degrees. That being said, hot weather is
harder on batteries because heat saps more life over time. Add the extra
drain from the air conditioning and higher under-hood temperatures and you
begin to see why the Southern climates are so hard on batteries. Most
batteries are designed for Northern or Southern climates and are sold only
in those regions. So be sure to tell Exide that you are going to sell Jay's
Jalopy Jolters in Montana and they will make up the batteries for cold
weather. If you are selling them in Montgomery, the specs will be different.
Group Size is the physical dimensions of the battery and the placement of
the terminals. Group Size 75 fits mainly General Motors cars. Size 65 fits
most Ford products (Lincoln, Mercury, etc.) Most rice burners (Hondas,
Nissans, Toyotas) use size 35. Most Chryslers use 34. There are a few
cross-overs like 34/78 that has two sets of terminals and fits some
Chryslers and some GM's.
When I said "get the biggest battery with the most CCA's" ... there is one
caveat. Don't go more than about 150 or 200 CCA's higher than your cars
recommended rating. No need to spend the extra money and the alternator
probably can't handle it anyway.
Larry
In the back yard, under the oak.

[Ray O]

Post by V***@gmail.com
Hi all. I'm in need of a new Battery for my 98 Lexus GS 300. I've
never bought one before come to think of it. I do know electrical
problems are a major pain and it is my top priority not to risk
creating one with a cheap or incorrect battery.
Is there a difference in battery brands? What is a good brand? Is it
something I do myself or do I take it in? Where would be a good place
to buy one or have one installed? Sears, Pep Boys, and Wal-Mart are
about the only places I can think of.
Thanks!!!!!

I buy batteries from Sears because it is relatively quick, convenient, and I
can get warranty service on the battery from any Sears if I'm traveling.

Interstate batteries are also good.

There are probably other good brands, but those are the ones I have personal
experience with.

[Ice]

I have a question concerning battery replacement. If I were to do it myself
what would I have to do to maintain power so I did not lose all the settings
to my radio, compass, clock ect. ?

Post by V***@gmail.com
Hi all. I'm in need of a new Battery for my 98 Lexus GS 300. I've
never bought one before come to think of it. I do know electrical
problems are a major pain and it is my top priority not to risk
creating one with a cheap or incorrect battery.
Is there a difference in battery brands? What is a good brand? Is it
something I do myself or do I take it in? Where would be a good place
to buy one or have one installed? Sears, Pep Boys, and Wal-Mart are
about the only places I can think of.
Thanks!!!!!

[j***@hotmail.com]

Plug a back up battery pack (like Black and Decker) into the lighter
socket. But your air bags will be armed so don't bang around too much
near the sensors at the bumper corners and other places.

So if you can find a Delco maintenance free battery, go for it. But
their 24F is hard to find. Otherwise a high end (large reserve
capacity, high CCA) Johnson Controls I would prefer over Exide.
Haven't tried the cylinder types Optimas so dunno about these.

Post by Ice
I have a question concerning battery replacement. If I were to do it myself
what would I have to do to maintain power so I did not lose all the settings
to my radio, compass, clock ect. ?