Interested in Automotive Service Training? Factors to Consider When Evaluating Car Batteries

The health and longevity of a car battery is determined by a few different factors. While most vehicles require a new battery every few years, it’s important to perform regular checks on the status of the device in order to ensure that it’s functioning properly and is able to perform at its highest capacity. Eventually, when it comes time to replace the battery, it’s important to choose one that will serve as the best possible option for the vehicle in question. If you’re considering a career in the auto service industry, you’ll want to be familiar with the factors which determine a car battery’s effectiveness. This knowledge will allow you to determine the quality of various batteries and make a decision that benefits your customer. Below, discover a few factors that should be considered when evaluating car batteries.

After Completing Automotive Service Training, Take the Battery Size into Account

There are many different sizes of car batteries offered, and vehicles will require a certain size depending on their year, make, and model. After completing your automotive service training, equipping a vehicle with the appropriate battery size will be important, as a loose battery can be damaged or become disconnected more easily, necessitating a premature replacement. While it’s important to select the right size of battery, this can often be difficult, given that size differences between battery models can be as small as less than a centimetre. When choosing a battery for a vehicle, make sure to verify with the manufacturer’s guide to determine the proper size, as this will ensure that the battery lasts for years to come.

Check the Status of the Cold Cranking Amp Rating

Every battery comes with a CCA rating, an acronym which stands for cold cranking amps. A battery’s cold cranking amps are the speed at which the battery is able to generate power in cold temperatures. Given the fact that engines are harder to start in the cold, as the oil is colder and more energy is required to get it moving, it’s important to choose a battery with a high CCA rating, especially if the driver is located in a colder climate. A battery with a low CCA rating can put excessive strain on the starter, in addition to taking longer to start in cold temperatures. Before installing a battery in a vehicle, check that the CCA rating is adequate in order to ensure that it will be a good fit for the vehicle.

Consider the Expected Battery Life

Another important factor to consider when selecting a car battery is the expected battery life. All batteries are manufactured with the purpose of being used for a particular lifespan, and not all batteries have the same capacity for longevity. Both a battery-life test and a reserve-capacity test will tell professionals in auto careers just how long a vehicle’s battery is expected to last. In a battery-test, the battery’s ability to withstand many different recharges is tested, and the battery is rated based on its capacity for recharging. A reserve-capacity test is designed to determine how well the battery will perform when the charging system fails, measuring the amount of time that a battery can continue to generate power to the vehicle. 

When these different factors are considered, you’ll be able to help customers choose the best battery for their vehicle, using your knowledge to critically evaluate the many options available. Your customers will appreciate your ability to help them select a battery that will perform well for years to come! 

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