How to pick a battery that suits your driving needs.
If your vehicle needs a new battery, the service experts at Jennings Anderson Ford will consider these factors to make sure you’re getting a battery that’s right for you. For example, you don’t want a battery that will have trouble starting if you live in a cold weather climate. You also don’t want to overpay for cold cranking power if the area you live in is warm all year.
Consider these factors when purchasing a battery:
- Battery Group Size
- Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
- Reserve Capacity (RC)
- Battery Date Code
- Warranty
- Original equipment vs. aftermarket
Battery Group Size
Check your owner’s guide to find the battery group sizes that will fit in your vehicle. This is the physical size of the battery, and most vehicles will allow for more than one group size.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
CCA determines how well your battery will supply ample power for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
In general, use the number recommended by your owner’s guide or the CCA of the battery that was originally installed on your vehicle.
Beware of batteries that only display hot cranking amps (HCA) or cranking amps (CA). These batteries might not be as powerful as you think and may not perform when the temperature drops.
Reserve Capacity (RC)
RC measures how many minutes the battery can supply power before falling below the minimum voltage level after the alternator has failed.
In general, the higher the number, the better. This is an important factor to consider if you’ll be operating electrical equipment on your vehicle while the engine is off.
Battery Date Code
Be sure to ask the Dealership for the “freshest” battery possible. A battery that’s been on the shelf for an extended period can lose some of its charge, and might not perform the first time it’s started.
If you do get a battery that’s been on the shelf for a long time, it usually regains its full potential and long-term performance by being charged in the vehicle or with an external charger.
Warranty
Make sure you’re comfortable with the warranty. Look at how long the free replacement period is, and if there is any coverage on a pro-rated basis beyond that point. Motorcraft® battery warranties are nationwide and honored at all Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships, so you don’t have to worry about being protected no matter where you are. Full details are available at the Dealership.
Jennings Anderson Ford in Boerne carries Motorcraft® batteries, Ford Motor Company’s recommended battery for your vehicle. And they’ve got an excellent warranty and come with free towing:
Motorcraft® Tested Tough® PLUS
- 18-month free replacement period*
- 84-month limited warranty*
- Economical, reliable performance
Motorcraft® Tested Tough® MAX
- Authorized as original equipment replacement for all Ford Motor Company vehicles
- 36-month free replacement*
- Limited warranty for 100 months with unlimited mileage*
- Reduced charging time
- Long-life alloys that provide excellent performance in high-heat applications
*Contact us or a copy of the limited warranty.
Use our Parts Inquiry Form for the Motorcraft® battery product line