Car battery buying guide
Car batteries are unsung transportation heroes. These heavy, black boxes rest quietly under the hood, ready to provide the
essential electrical charge needed to fire up an engine and begin driving. Without a healthy battery, your car is just a large,
metal sculpture parked in the driveway.
- Warranties
Warranties
A decade ago, a battery's free-replacement period was as little as three months, and the prorated period (which allows only partial reimbursement) might have been just 50 months. Today, a 36-month free-replacement warranty is typical, and the prorated period can be up to 108 months.
But even with today's longer warranties, it's still important to choose a battery with the longest free-replacement period you can get.
A battery warranty code of 24/84, for example, indicates a free-replacement period of 24 months and a prorated warranty of 84 months. But the amount you'll be reimbursed usually drops off pretty quickly once you're into the prorated period.
For example, the Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG carries a 96-month prorated battery warranty. Using the formula listed on the manufacturer's Web site, this means that after four years, or half the warranty period, you would be credited with half of the original price if the battery failed.
Signs of neglect, such as low-water levels and improper installation, can void a warranty. So can use in heavy-duty applications such as high-end car audio and marine use if the battery is not recommended for them.
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See also:
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Special Section:
Guide to car maintenance
