While you can prolong the life of your car battery by using a battery charger, it’s going to give out eventually. In fact, most batteries only last a few years. So what are you supposed to do when yours is finally dead?
The good news is, there are many recycling programs that accept car batteries. In fact, AutoZone participates in such a program and even offers compensation.
AutoZone’s Battery Cell Recyling Credit
There are many regulations governing car battery disposal as batteries contain lead and acid, which are hazardous to people and the environment. This means there’s a limited number of places that can properly process them.
The good news is, you can avoid inconvenience by taking your dead battery to AutoZone. The staff will ensure it’s properly recycled. Even better, you can get a $10 gift card, which you can use to purchase a wide variety of items, such as a vin lookup or windshield wipers.
How To Choose Your New Car Battery
Now that you’ve taken care of your old battery, it’s time to find a new one. This process is important, as not all batteries work with all cars.
One way to make sure you choose the right battery is to note details about your old one. If you can’t do this, you can always look at your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Find the Right Size
The first step is to make sure the battery you’re looking at actually fits in your vehicle. Batteries are organized according to group size, which is represented by two numerals and sometimes a letter. The group size is printed on the battery for easy reference. If you don’t have your old battery to look at, you can search online to see what group size your make and model takes.
Look at the CCA Rating
CCA stands for cold cranking amps and the rating indicates how many the battery can produce. To find the required CCA rating, you can refer to your old battery, look in the owner’s manual or search online. If you don’t get a battery with the right CCA rating, you may not be able to start your vehicle during cold weather.
Read the Warranty
Before you make a purchase, make sure to read the warranty. Many manufacturers offer warranties for two or more years, which means if your battery goes out before then, they’ll replace it at no cost. This can save you significant money, so make sure the brand you’re looking at offers a comparable warranty.
Check Out the Battery Cell Type
There are three types of battery cells:
- Absorbent glass mat
- Enhanced flooded
- Lead-acid
While AGM batteries are the most expensive, they also have the highest performance. EFB batteries are a step up from standard and only a little more expensive than lead-acid options. Finally, lead-acid batteries are the most affordable and work fine for a standard vehicle.
If you want to find the best car batteries, you need to compare and contrast options. Make sure to do your research and you’re sure to find a battery that works for your vehicle.