Everything that ever exists in this world has a lifespan. Talk of the car battery, for example, it has a period at which you can expect it to serve you efficiently. Most car batteries serve for a period of between three and five years. However, this period may be shortened by poor maintenance of the cell. It’s for this reason that drivers are always advised to keep track of the age of their batteries to avoid surprises.
So, how does one tell the age of your car battery? You don’t need a professional to perform the reading on your behalf as it’s a thing you can do using your eyes. The manufacture date of a given battery can be found on the stick found either on the top or side of the cell in question.
The data usually comprises of four to five-digit codes, and it’s what you use to tell when the battery was shipped from the manufacturing plant. It’s this date that you subtract from the current date to tell the age of the cell.
How Do You Interpret the Code?
As said earlier, to figure out the age of a specific battery, you have got first to point out the date of manufacturing. For most cells, the dates are usually written in the form of a code. Often, cracking this code can be complicated, especially for the first-timers. Remember, the number comprises of four to five digits. Therefore, figuring which is which in the line of code can be a pain in the neck.
However, once you understand how to crack the code, it will be a walk in the park. When looking at the code, you will learn that the first digit on your left side is usually a letter. Well. The letter typically represents the month of the year at which the battery was shipped. Letter A usually represents January, letter B represents February, while letter C represents March and letter D represents April. The list goes on until December.
The second letter from the left side defines the year at which the cell in question was shipped from the manufacturer. Say, for instance, 4 represents the year 2005. Five represents the year 2005, while six represents the year 2006. This list goes on and on, until the current year.
Typically, most car batteries are usually sold within three months after their delivery to the suppliers. Therefore, with that in mind, you can quickly tell the age of your battery. Batteries that spend longer in the shelves are expected to be recharged after three months or so. The recharging helps boost their efficiency while keeping the battery fresh and clean.
Why Is the Age of the Cell Important?
Many people are always asking if they have to undergo all the troubles of taking the readings. There are never sure if the age is essential. It’s until your battery starts to misbehave that you start wondering how old your battery is.
After carrying out the subtractions, you can quickly tell if it’s time to call in for a battery replacement or not. You must have in mind that at times, it’s recommended that you order for a battery replacement rather than waking up to a flat battery.
What to Do When You Realize that Your Battery Is Old Enough?
Battery’s lifespan is a period at which the battery is expected to serve you without any cases of inconveniences. Once the period passes, your battery may start showing signs of tiredness.
For instance, you may begin to experience moments of unexpected drains. Such things should warn you that the battery is about to die. Therefore, if after doing your math, you learn that the battery has hit its lifespan; you shouldn’t hesitate to plan on getting a new one.
Tips on How to Find a Perfect Battery for Your Car
Shopping for a new battery may seem like a walk in the pack until you are the person on the ground. First, you are met by thousands of options that make it hard for one to arrive at the best deal in the market. However, there are tips which you can rely upon to help you reach the best offer in the market.
When it comes to buying a new battery, the first thing that you should consider is that price tag. Mechanics always recommend that you go for a battery that you can afford. Although the prices rise as the features of the battery increases, you shouldn’t be tempted to go for something that will leave you broke. Another thing to consider is the group size and capacity. You must always pick a cell that matches your power needs and car model.
Currently, there are many battery manufacturers in the world. When buying your first battery, it’s recommended that you pick a brand that has a good reputation. You can check over the internet for customer reviews. Reviews help one conclude if a specific brand is worth your money or not.
Warranties also do play a significant role when it comes to making the buying decisions. It would be best if you considered the warranty and went for battery model that has a good warranty. (by the way, Walmart offers a great warranty).
You wouldn’t want to incur the cost of repairs or even having to buy another battery, in case the new one dies sooner than expected. It’s for this reason that you should go for a cell with a considerable warranty. Most brands usually come with a three-year free replacement warranty, which is a good deal.
Last but not least, you should consider the battery’s portability and safety features. It’s advisable to go for an option that you can easily carry around. A perfect battery should come with carrying handles. With the handles, it’s usually much easy to move the battery from one point to another when the need arises.
Also, you should consider going to cells that are safe for use. The maintenance-free and spill-proof are the new trend and something that you ought to consider.
