Car Battery Types and How Car Batteries Work

Under normal circumstances, you shouldn’t have to pay much attention to your car battery. But even with proper car battery maintenance, car batteries don’t last forever. When your battery reaches the end of its service life, you need to make sure to replace it with the right product.

Are you in the market for car battery replacement in Tulsa, or do you just want to enhance your understanding of these vital components? Here, you’ll find our complete overview of car battery types and sizes, how these batteries function, and more helpful information on car batteries.

What Car Battery Types Should You Consider?

The type of vehicle you drive and a few other factors can help you determine what type of car battery is best for you. Some of the most popular battery types include:

Wet Cell Batteries

Wet cell batteries (AKA flooded lead acid batteries) are a tried-and-true battery option for drivers in the Tulsa, OK, area. These batteries, which usually consist of six cells, offer a voltage of 12.6V when fully charged — allowing them to do a reliably good job at starting engines. They’re also more affordable than other battery options.

However, wet cell batteries have some drawbacks. You’ll need to top off the electrolyte solution used in these batteries every so often, and they need to be installed vertically to avoid spilling. Plus, the battery life of wet cell batteries will go down significantly if they’re discharged below 50% of their depth of discharge.

Enhanced Flooded Batteries

If you want to upgrade your standard-issue wet cell batteries with a more advanced alternative, enhanced flooded batteries (EFBs) can fit the bill. While these batteries still rely on an electrolyte solution, they’re also fully sealed.

Standard wet cell batteries deliver roughly 30,000 engine cranks. In contrast, EFBs provide 85,000 engine cranks or so. EFBs aren’t as advanced as AGM batteries but can be used in cars with basic start-stop technology.

Absorbent Glass Mat Batteries

Absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries fall under the umbrella of valve-regulated lead acid batteries. The name of this battery type refers to the fiberglass separators used in their construction — they work similarly to wet cell batteries, but their glass mats absorb the electrolyte solution and hold it in place.

AGM batteries are more expensive than conventional batteries, but their higher cost comes with serious performance advantages. These batteries can charge five times faster and withstand three times more cycle life than standard car batteries. Because of that, AGM batteries are perfect for cars with automatic start-stop technology.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-Ion (li-ion) batteries are commonly found in electric and hybrid vehicles. These batteries are lighter than typical car batteries; at the same time, they can store more energy and charge faster than their traditional counterparts.

While li-ion batteries are pricier than lead-acid batteries, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Most manufacturers offer a warranty lasting between five and eight years on li-ion batteries; however, you can safely expect them to last one to two decades. And when li-ion batteries reach the end of their service life, you can safely recycle them.

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How Car Batteries Work

As a responsible Tulsa driver, it’s a good idea to have some knowledge of how your vehicle’s battery works. While the precise inner workings of batteries vary across different car battery types, the basic principles behind car batteries are relatively straightforward.

Your car’s electrical system consists of three main components connected by wiring that work together to deliver power to your vehicle. They are:

• The battery
• The starting system
• The charging system

The battery contains lead plates and a solution consisting of water and sulfuric acid. A chemical reaction creates electrical energy inside the battery, and that energy is sent to the other components of the vehicle’s electrical system. The power your battery generates is used for many different functions — most notably, starting your car.

What To Know About Battery Sizes

If you’ve ever bought batteries for household appliances, you know why battery sizes are important. If a device takes AA batteries, no number of AAA batteries will be enough to get it up and running. While car batteries are a bit more complicated in this regard, finding a battery that fits your vehicle’s needs is still essential.

When shopping for car batteries, it’s important to understand the concept of battery group sizes. These are standardized designations established by Battery Council International and include the exact length, width, and height of the batteries. With that in mind, consulting a battery size chart or visiting an auto shop to ask about your vehicle’s battery group size should be part of your car battery shopping process.

How To Extend Your Battery’s Lifespan

To maximize the lifespan of your car battery, you should:

• Drive your car regularly. If you leave your car parked for too long, the fluid in its battery will start evaporating. To avoid this, make a point of driving your car once every few days or so and take longer drives at least once a week.
• Turn off your vehicle’s lights. Leaving lights on when your car is parked is a surefire way to drain your battery. That means you should ensure that all the lights are off before leaving your vehicle.
• Avoid parasitic drain. When you use electrical components like your air conditioning system, radio, and GPS while the engine is off, these components draw power from the battery while it can’t recharge. This is known as parasitic drain. To avoid it, turn off electrical components when your engine is off.
• Minimize exposure to extreme temperatures. Intense hot and cold temperatures make it harder for your vehicle’s battery to function. If you have a garage, park there when it’s extremely hot or cold out; if you don’t, consider buying a portable jump starter.
• Clean your battery’s exterior. Keeping your battery clean is a good idea, but cleaning off corrosion or dirt doesn’t require specialized products. Instead, use a brush to apply a mixture of water and baking soda.
• Get your battery tested. Whenever you have an oil change scheduled, ask your mechanic to test your battery’s load and output voltage. If your battery is overdue for replacement, they can take care of this before you leave the shop.
• Make auto maintenance a priority. Since today’s vehicles are so complicated, issues with one component can affect the rest of your car. Preventative auto maintenance can help you catch problems early on.

Know When It’s Time for Battery Replacement

While these steps can help you get the most out of your vehicle’s battery, standard car batteries are only meant to last between two and five years. If you notice any of the following signs, it might be time to consider car battery replacement:

• Low battery fluid (if your battery’s fluid is visible, it should be above the lead plates)
• A swollen battery case
• An active check engine or battery light on your dashboard
• Sluggish engine cranking
• Battery leakage
• Old age (batteries should be inspected annually after their third year)
• Significant corrosion (in the form of white/green powder on the battery’s terminals)
• Dim headlights/interior lights
• A burning plastic smell
• Fuses that commonly blow out
• Issues with electrical components (e.g., radio, GPS)

Tulsa’s Number-One Battery Shop

Understanding the leading car battery types and sizes can make your battery replacement process much easier than it would be otherwise. However, where you buy car batteries matters too. If you choose the wrong Tulsa shop, you might pay too much for batteries or not get service from people who know what they’re doing.

The ASE-certified mechanics at Tate Boys Tire & Service can provide free battery checks and essential battery maintenance services, like battery terminal cleaning, cable checks, and corrosion protection. When it’s time for a new battery, we’ll help you find the correct battery for your car’s needs and safely dispose of your old battery. Get started by requesting a quote today!