Which Battery is Right for My Car?
Choosing a battery for your car is confusing when you don’t have prior experience or knowledge. There are so many options on the market, and what makes one better than the other, or ideally suited to the model that you have? To add to this, there’s the question of who should install it, because it’s not as easy as it looks (and DIY isn’t recommended).
Which battery is right for your car? The answer depends on a few different factors but in short, the best quality battery, installed by a professional, with a warranty included, is always the best option.
This guide looks at the type of battery your car might need and how much the brand of the battery and your car matter. It also covers why the cheapest option can often cost more down the line, and what to look for when you’re after a replacement or new car battery.
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How do I know which battery fits my car?
The right battery for your car is goes beyond the brand of your car or the brand of the battery. Assuming any battery will get the job done means risking damage to your car or being stranded at worst possible times.
The right battery for your car needs to:
- Be the right size, so it can fit into your car’s battery tray correctly.
- Have the right cold cranking amps (CCA) to reliably start your car on cold mornings.
- Meet the electrical demands of your car, including its make and model, the electrical equipment it has, and the features it uses.
The NRMA offers 24/7 mobile car battery replacement service to everyone (and pretty much every type of vehicle) in NSW and the ACT, with a wide range of batteries to suit popular manufacturers including Ford, Holden, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen (VW) and more. Members receive free delivery and installation 24/7, 365 days a year (just pay for the battery). If you’re not a member, the delivery and installation fee starts from $90 for Sydney Metro. Other prices may apply in regional areas.
Do stop-start cars need a special battery?
Yes. Stop-start technology switches your car’s engine off when you stop and restarts as you pull away. As you might imagine, this would put more pressure on your battery than ‘normal’ driving does. This rules out standard ‘flooded’ batteries as a suitable option for cars with a stop-start system.
One option for these types of cars is an enhanced flooded battery, or EFB. This type of battery is built to be hard-wearing and is used for entry-level stop-start vehicle systems. There is also the AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery, which is a higher-performance option for cars with heavier electrical demands, such as those with regenerative braking.
Fitting a stop-start car with a standard battery, or an EFB where an AGM is required, can:
- Shorten battery life
- Affect the stop-start system; and
- Cause other issues with the vehicle’s energy management system.
The NRMA can also replace your stop-start car’s AGM or EFB battery. We’re the experts in the latest battery technology, so book a battery check or replacement today.
Which car battery brands are best?
The name on the packaging is usually of little significance when it comes to the ‘best’ car battery brand. Car batteries in Australia generally come from quality overseas-based OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). These manufacturers supply batteries for use in brand-new cars. They can also supply batteries for the aftermarket, where they may be sold under a different brand name. The more important factors include where the battery was made, whether it meets established standards, and whether there’s a warranty included.
For example, NRMA-branded batteries are sourced from global manufacturers that meet international standards. Standard practice is for them to come with a warranty of up to 36 months.
If a lesser-known brand is priced at a level far below other models that you find, approach with caution. The reason for the bargain price could be low-grade materials, a shorter working life and no guarantee of a replacement if it fails after only a few months.
Does the brand of my car affect what battery I need?
No. The brand of your car in isolation means nothing when it comes to the battery it runs with. It only becomes useful when you consider the make and model of your car alongside the brand name.
The more important factors include:
- How your car is powered: e.g. petrol or diesel?
- Whether it is a hybrid or electric vehicle.
- The engine and its features, such as a turbocharger.
- Whether it has a stop-start system, which requires a battery designed to handle frequent engine restarts.
- How much electrical equipment the vehicle has, since more electrical features news a battery with greater capacity or a specific specification.
- Whether it has an automatic or manual transmission, which can also affect the battery specification in some vehicles.
Every car brand does not have a special battery associated with it. Instead, battery manufacturers supply batteries that suit a wide range of vehicle makes and models. For example, some Mercedes-Benz vehicles use VARTA batteries through a supply agreement, but VARTA batteries are not exclusive to Mercedes-Benz and can be suitable for many other vehicles.
What is the best car battery for my vehicle?
The answer depends on the car you have and how you use it. The ideal battery for a small hatchback that mostly does short city trips cannot be the same as the one for a stop-start SUV, or a 4WD loaded with accessories. Therefore, for you, the right choice of battery balances the battery size and type, enough cold cranking amps and quality build that will last in the conditions you live and drive in.
Cheaper batteries usually cost less because they are built using lower-quality materials, resulting in reduced performance, shorter lifespans and limited compatibility with modern vehicles, particularly those with complex electrical systems. Poor-quality batteries may also fail to deliver the cold-cranking power required during colder months or under heavy loads, making them unreliable when you need them most. In some cases, they may cause problems with sensitive onboard electronics if they are not correctly matched or installed.
Investing in a quality battery from a trusted supplier costs less over the life of the car. Patrols from the NMRA work on batteries every day and know what suits different vehicles, so rather than guessing, you get advice based on your make, model and the way you drive. For members, an NRMA Patrol can also run a battery health check to confirm whether the battery, or a charging fault, is the real problem before you spend money on a replacement.
What should I look for when buying a car battery?
When buying a car battery, there are a few important things to check:
- The battery is suitable for your exact vehicle, including the size, terminal layout and capacity (is it a standard, EFB or AGM battery?)
- A warranty that protects you when the battery fails. A nationwide warranty means you are covered, wherever you happen to be.
- You’re purchasing from a supplier who takes your old battery away and recycles it.
- That your battery will be fitted correctly.
That last point is important because, in a lot of modern cars, the battery is not always under the bonnet as you might expect. You can find some batteries under a seat or even in the boot, and DIY fitting is not always straightforward when you have to remove parts of the car to get to the battery. There is also a risk of losing settings if the electrics are not kept live during the battery change, while some vehicles require the new battery to be registered with the charging system.
An NRMA Patrol brings the right battery to you, fits it properly and takes the old one away for recycling, whether you are at home, at work or broken down by the side of the road.
Let the NRMA match your car battery to your needs
NRMA members in NSW and the ACT get reliable service when it comes to battery replacement thanks to Patrol vehicles that have a range of options to hand.
Being a member of the NRMA means you can also request a battery health check to see exactly what condition your battery is in (call 1300 726 751 or book online). If you are not yet with the NRMA, joining brings the convenience of a mobile service and the peace of mind that a flat or dead car battery doesn’t have to slow you down for long.
Book online or call 1300 571 746 to arrange a battery replacement or health check for your vehicle, or click here to join the NRMA today.
