Among those that we have tested, there’s significant variation in which is the top performer from year to year, and from size to size. (Learn more about how we test car batteries.)Ĭar batteries come in many sizes. This simulates the summer temperatures a battery can face in the engine bay. If you live in a hot region or have particular concerns about summer performance, pay special attention to the battery life score in our ratings.īattery life is measured by repeatedly discharging and recharging at a test temperature above 167° F for 15 weeks or until performance drops to unacceptable levels. When it comes time to replace your battery, buy one that is less than 6 months old-preferably 3 months or newer.Ĭonsumer Reports tests 150 batteries in total each year in its lab (including five examples of each rated model), charging and discharging them thousands of times to find out how long they’ll last.
A is for January, B is for February, and so on (the letter I is skipped).
#MAINTENANCE FREE CAR BATTERY INDICATOR CODE#
A battery made in July 2022 will have a numeric code of 7/22 or an alphanumeric code of G2 or G-2. The manufacture date can be found on a sticker affixed to the top or side of the battery.
The battery’s age is also a strong indicator that it’s time to consider a replacement. Doing so tests its ability to hold voltage while being used, and the results will let you know when it’s time to start shopping. Fortunately, most batteries no longer require checking electrolyte levels, saving a step.ĬR’s Galeotafiore recommends having your car battery load tested annually after it’s 2 years old if you live in a warmer climate or after it’s 4 years old if you live in a colder climate. AAA says that excessive vibration can shorten battery life. Inspections should be part of an owner’s routine maintenance, but it is especially important to check before taking a long road trip.ĭuring an inspection, the mechanic should check the battery’s charge, the condition of the terminals, and how securely it’s mounted in the engine bay. To avoid being stranded, owners should be proactive about servicing and replacing their car’s battery, Galeotafiore says.Ĭar batteries typically last from three to five years, according to AAA, spanning from 58 months or more in the furthest northern regions of the U.S., down to less than 41 months in the most southern regions. Watch the VIDEO about the European Standard EN 50342:2015.“Routine inspection is as important for the battery as it is for the rest of the car,” says John Galeotafiore, who manages Consumer Reports’ car battery testing. Therefore it is important that any spare part operator is able to choose the appropriate battery for the car, otherwise the S&S system functionality and the reliability of the battery will be negatively affected.įrom the end of 2018, all Starter batteries (SLI and S&S) may therefore indicate, in addition to the mandatory characteristics according to the standard EN - Battery Regulation 1103/2010 (voltage, Capacity and Starting attitude ), also the performance indexes that identify the level or class of performance according to the technical standards EN 50342-1 2015 and EN 50342-6 2015. Micro-cycle batteries are individually designed for each type of vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF START&STOP BATTERIESĮuropean Standard 50342-6 2015 is applicable to lead-acid batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V, mainly used in motor vehicles as an energy source for starting internal combustion engines (ICE), the batteries included in the field of application of this standard are used for so-called micro-cycle applications, called Start-Stop applications (or Stop-Start or Stop and go, etc.).
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