Car Battery: How too choose?

[Keigotw]

Need to buy Car battery
Which ones are better? or what brand is better?
is the one sold in <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> good? or I should just buy it from my Car Dealer?

From <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>canadian tire</a> I see these specs from some batteries

Brand Motomaster
Power 12V
Marine Cranking Amps Up to 650
Free Replacement Period 1 year
Cranking Amps Up to 800
Reserve Capacity Up to 650 minutes
Cold Cranking Amps Up to 650
Model Number N/A
Warranty 5 years total warranty


Brand Motomaster
Power 12V
Marine Cranking Amps N/A
Free Replacement Period 3 years
Cranking Amps Up to 1200
Reserve Capacity Up to 160 minutes
Cold Cranking Amps Up to 1000
Model Number N/A
Warranty 9 years total warranty

Brand Motomaster
Power 12V
Marine Cranking Amps Up to 960
Free Replacement Period 3 years
Cranking Amps Up to 1000
Reserve Capacity Up to 95 minutes
Cold Cranking Amps Up to 770
Model Number N/A
Warranty 10 years


What does the Reserve Capacity means???

[Jumbotron]

cranking capacity is king. ct batteries are crap from my experience - maybe look at optima from costco

[AudiDude]

Reserve Capacity, (RC) is a battery industry rating, defining a battery's ability
to power a vehicle with an inoperative alternator or fan belt. ...
Crappy Tire used to have good batteries.... before 1987. Get a Sears Die Hard Gold. They are the same as Interstate (a really good name) except you can always find a Sears on a Sunday or even while travelling about. Crappy Tire used to offer lifetime on their Eliminators, until so many came back, they stopped that.
After reviewing the specs that you have provided, I think you may be forgetting about size. The ones with the bigger numbers tend to be bigger batteries and may not fit.

[advantage21]

Check out the Energizer batteries at Wal-mart, 6 year warranty, it out lasted my car.

[TrevorK]

cranking capacity is king. ct batteries are crap from my experience - maybe look at optima from costco

What most people fail to realize is that there are 3-4 battery manufacturers in the entire world, so chances are the <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> battery you get, is rebadged at many other places.

That being said - the optima you suggest is 2 times the price of any normal acid-based battery, and is overkill for almost every car.

[DavidY]

Get a battery from Costco....they are the cheapest car battery by far IMO. Look for the number of years the retailer will replace a battery for free...up to a few years (longer for more $$$ batteries). IMO, the overall warranty is not as important as it is pro rated.

A few years ago, the battery that I had bought for big $$$ from my auto mechanic failed after 1.5 years.....luckily, the replacement warranty was 2 years.....got a brand new replacement battery excluding the tow to the mechanic (used my BCAA membership).

Dave

[DragonZealot]

In Canada the most important consideration for choosing an automotive battery is CCA (cold cranking amp) cause this determines the starting capability during cold weather. You have to make sure the group size matches though.

Second consideration is free replacement period. Try to get at least 18 month. Warranty (pro-rated replacement) is not too important.

From my own experience ACDelco excels in longevity. I have seen good comments here on Kirkland from Costco.

[cipher]

That being said - the optima you suggest is 2 times the price of any normal acid-based battery, and is overkill for almost every car.


Not in Winnipeg where the temps hit almost -40C before windchill.

[Jumbotron]

What most people fail to realize is that there are 3-4 battery manufacturers in the entire world, so chances are the <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian Tire</a> battery you get, is rebadged at many other places.

That being said - the optima you suggest is 2 times the price of any normal acid-based battery, and is overkill for almost every car.

I don't find the Optima batteries that pricey. I've used them in my several of my cars from vintage imports to boy racers - they seem to last forever and the vintage cars crank over everytime - despite my neglect of having them sit for several months without starting them.

[TrevorK]

I don't find the Optima batteries that pricey. I've used them in my several of my cars from vintage imports to boy racers - they seem to last forever and the vintage cars crank over everytime - despite my neglect of having them sit for several months without starting them.


I let my winter beater sit for 6 months, at it's motomaster turns it over every time.

For the average car, just not worth it at double the price.

[Jumbotron]

I let my winter beater sit for 6 months, at it's motomaster turns it over every time.

For the average car, just not worth it at double the price.

I think you've been lucky with your CT battery - the one in my 73 BMW died within 18 months - and the rating was well within spec. I think I've warrantied at least 2 CT batteries.

[stevethewheel]

Check out the Energizer batteries at Wal-mart, 6 year warranty, it out lasted my car.

Another vote for the Energizer from WalMart. I bought it there because I needed one right NOW and was desperate. Turned out to be a fantastic battery. Outlasted any of the CT batteries I've had lately. It's been 7 years and it just keeps going...and going...and going....

The batteries you buy at the car dealer are pretty good too.

CT batteries are hit-and-miss. I gather the quality control is not that high. I have had some good ones, and others that die within 2 years. They do not last much longer than the warranty, so in a sense they tell you what you are getting for what you are paying.

The next battery I buy will either be the Energizer (WalMart) or a dealer battery.

Whoops. To get back on the posters' topic:

Reserve Capacity is kind of like endurance.

Cranking Amps is kind of like raw power.

To get your car started you need the Cranking Amps. You need more in cold weather (pay attention to Cold Cranking Amps). If something screws up in your charging system while you are driving you will need the Reserve Capacity to keep your car running and lights on, etc, while you get to safety. Reserve Capacity also gives you an idea of how many 'starts' you can try if your car is having trouble starting - generally speaking low RC means the battery will run out of juice faster giving fewer starting attempts.

Your car manual should tell you what the car maker recommends for your car. If you can exceed the CCA and RC of the recommended battery then you should be fine.

[Keigotw]

Another vote for the Energizer from WalMart. I bought it there because I needed one right NOW and was desperate. Turned out to be a fantastic battery. Outlasted any of the CT batteries I've had lately. It's been 7 years and it just keeps going...and going...and going....

The batteries you buy at the car dealer are pretty good too.

CT batteries are hit-and-miss. I gather the quality control is not that high. I have had some good ones, and others that die within 2 years. They do not last much longer than the warranty, so in a sense they tell you what you are getting for what you are paying.

The next battery I buy will either be the Energizer (WalMart) or a dealer battery.

Whoops. To get back on the posters' topic:

Reserve Capacity is kind of like endurance.

Cranking Amps is kind of like raw power.

To get your car started you need the Cranking Amps. You need more in cold weather (pay attention to Cold Cranking Amps). If something screws up in your charging system while you are driving you will need the Reserve Capacity to keep your car running and lights on, etc, while you get to safety. Reserve Capacity also gives you an idea of how many 'starts' you can try if your car is having trouble starting - generally speaking low RC means the battery will run out of juice faster giving fewer starting attempts.

Your car manual should tell you what the car maker recommends for your car. If you can exceed the CCA and RC of the recommended battery then you should be fine.

Thanks
I check out Energizer, it tell me the amp
and the cca, But I can't find any info on Reserve Capacity on them

[Keigotw]

thanks everyone for the info, but I still can't decide

Also where can I fins optima battery Group Size 51R
I don't see that size on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian tire</a> web

[BuddyGuy]

CT batteries are made by Exide Technologies, and are complete garbage. Trust me on this one, if a day went by without a warranty claim on an Eliminator, it wasn't a day.

[Jumbotron]

thanks everyone for the info, but I still can't decide

Also where can I fins optima battery Group Size 51R
I don't see that size on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=24 target=_blank>Canadian tire</a> web

Like TrevoK has mentioned - the Optima might be overkill for you, but here's a link to a Canadian retailer/mail-order:

http://allbattery.ca/sum.html?c_id=49

Not sure what they go for, but definitely higher than Motomaster - Costco does carry them - not sure if they'll carry your size. I know their pricing was pretty sharp - I have a buddy who is working on a custom project and bought 2 of the Optima Reds to install under his back-seat.

[Keigotw]

I bought the walmart one, Energizer , will give it a shot
thanks to every one for the info