Car batteries

Transcription

Car batteries

CARS
ICEBOX Before we test batteries for cold-cranking amps, we put them in a freezer to simulate winter conditions.
Car batteries
We find top performers for just $75
P H OTO BY RO B E RT M E S C AVAG E
I
nexpensive car batteries often
perform as well or better than those
that cost more than twice as much,
our latest tests show. EverStart
Maxx batteries, which cost just $75, were
particularly impressive overall; nine of
them were CR Best Buys.
Our tests, which include draining and
recharging each battery 3,000 times, testing
their strength at freezing, and measuring
how long they can maintain their current
under load, found other winners. They
include Bosch batteries, found at Pep Boys
stores. Bosch is top-rated in two group sizes.
Sears Holdings, which markets DieHard
batteries, recently moved some of its
production to a different manufacturer.
Because of that, we’ve removed seven
DieHard models from our Ratings. We’ll
test the new ones as soon as they’re available and publish an update when testing
is complete.
48
We also found that some absorbed glass
mat (AGM) batteries, such as DieHard
Platinum models, are top performers but
can cost more than twice as much as
conventional batteries. They might not be
worth the money for most buyers. And
we’ve added a new group size, Group 48,
to our testing this year. It’s appearing
more in European models and some
General Motors cars.
How to choose
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual or an
in-store fit guide can tell you the right size
battery for your car and whether it uses
top- or side-mounted terminals. The wrong
battery size might not fit securely or
provide sufficient power to start your car,
and battery cables might not reach if the
terminals are in the wrong place. Also
take into account the following factors
and check our Ratings for the battery
c o n sum er r e p o rts novem b er 20 10
that best meets your needs and budget.
Think about maintenance. Choose a
maintenance-free battery if you don’t want
the chores of checking electrolyte levels and
adding distilled water. Many batteries are
completely sealed, and some offer comparable performance but don’t cost any more
than models that require maintenance.
All AGM batteries are sealed and do not
need any maintenance. And instead of
the conventional liquid-filled chamber,
AGM batteries have an absorbent lining
that soaks up the electrolyte. AGM manufacturers claim that makes the batteries
spillproof, safer, and more resistant to
vibration. You might want to try an AGM
battery if your car’s battery is difficult to
reach or if you drive off-road.
Consider your driving habits. Choose
a car battery that scores well in our life
testing. That’s particularly important if
you make a lot of short trips, which don’t
allow much time for the electrical system
to recharge the battery.
Choose a battery for your climate.
Extremely hot and cold climates are tough
on battery life. High temperatures increase
corrosion of plates and vaporize the electrolyte faster. Freezing temperatures can
sap a battery’s energy and thicken motor
BY THE NUMBERS 10,370 Number of times battery cables were attached and detached
These high-scoring models stand out for the
reasons below.
For cold-weather climates:
A3
A7
A10
B2
B3
B8
C2
C4
C7
D1
D3
D5
D6
E1
Kirkland Signature 12866 $75 CR Best Buy
NAPA Legend Premium 8465 $105
EverStart Maxx-65N (North) $75
EverStart Maxx-34N (North) $75 CR Best Buy
DieHard 30034 (North) $90
Duralast 24-DL $80
Bosch Premium Power 35-640B $90
Kirkland Signature 12865 $60 CR Best Buy
Bosch Premium Power 75-730B $80 CR Best Buy
Overview continued on next page
In performance order, within types. (Types designated A, B, etc.)
Brand & model
0
A
N
c
N
d
Price Overall score
100
P | F | G | VG | E
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
4
6
6
4
4
6
6
4
45/100

930

900
GROUP 65 Top terminal fits many large Ford vehicles.
1
DieHard Platinum 50065
2
Duralast Gold 65-DLG
3
Kirkland Signature 12866
4
DieHard Gold 33065 (North)
110 77
5
Bosch Premium Power 65-850B
95 77
6
Autocraft Gold 65-2
105 77
7
NAPA Legend Premium 8465
105 75
8
DieHard 30065 (North)
90 74
EverStart Maxx-65S (South) |
75 73
N
d 9
N
d 10
Test results Features
Handle
d Recommended
Ratings Car batteries
Maintenance free
These models offer the best combination of
performance and price. All are recommended.
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Warranty
c CR Best Buy
D3 EverStart
CCA
We believe that a battery’s service life is the
most important consideration, so our Ratings
put more weight on our life-test results than
on reserve capacity and cold-cranking
performance. You’re likely to find that the
trade-off is worth it. We rate auto batteries
by overall performance within group sizes
and identify models that are sealed and
maintenance free—a plus, especially if your
vehicle’s battery is difficult to reach. Because
there are so many group sizes, there are many
recommended batteries to choose from.
C3 EverStart
Key number
Overview
B3 EverStart
Claimed CCA
B2 EverStart
Recommendation
A3 Kirkland
they can be easily recycled. Most states
require retailers to take old batteries in
trade. Some stores will install the new
battery and dispose of the old one free of
charge, but some outlets charge for that
service. Check with the retailer before
you buy. If you do the installation yourself, expect a small “core” charge that’s
usually refunded when you turn in the
old battery.
Fresh is best. All batteries lose their
strength over time, even when they’re
just sitting on store shelves. Look for a
battery that’s no more than six months
old. Most batteries have a shipping code
printed on the case, which can be a letter
for the month (A for January) and a
number for the year (10 for 2010).
Dispose of your old battery safely.
Batteries contain toxic lead and acid, but
Life
Reserve capacity
oil, making it harder for a cold engine to
turn over. If you live in a cold climate, look
for a battery that scored well in the coldcranking-amp (CCA) and reserve-capacity
performance categories.
A handle is handy. The average weight
of tested batteries is about 40 pounds. An
attached plastic loop makes it easier to
lift and carry the battery if you install or
remove it yourself.
$190 90
100 80
75 78
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
4
36/96
36/100
36/100
36/96
36/84
24/84
18/72
36/108
875
850
850
850

750
675
700
4
" 6 36/108 850
850
" 6 4 30/85
750
90 66
12 Duralast 65-DL
4 6 " 24/84
115 60
675
13 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65
4 " 2 24/75
B GROUP 34/78 & 78 Dual terminal fits many large Chrysler and GM pickups, SUVs, and sedans.
190 91
1 DieHard Platinum 50090
6 6 6 48/100 880
81
75
2
EverStart
Maxx-34N
(North)
|
4
4
6 36/108 770
c
79
75
3
EverStart
Maxx-78N
(North)
|
4 4 6 36/108 770
c
150 76
4 Optima RedTop SC34U
6 " 6 36/72 800
190 75
5 Deka Intimidator 9A78DT
4 6 6 12/36 750
72
75
660
6
EverStart
Maxx-34S
(South)
|
4 4 4 36/108
c
71
75
650
4 4 " 36/108
c 7 EverStart Maxx-78S (South) |
69
18/72
695
90
8
DieHard
30034
(North)

4
4
4
N
d
EverStart Maxx-65N (North) |
75 73
11 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-65
125 72
At Sears and Kmart only. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology. At Auto Zone only. At Costco only. At Pep Boys
only. At Advance Auto Parts only. At NAPA only. |At Walmart only.
Ratings continued on next page
nove mb er 20 10 w w w.C on sum e r Rep orts.or g
49
CARS BATTERIES
Ratings Car batteries
c CR Best Buy
d Recommended
Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
14
15
16
17
C
1
EverStart Maxx-65S (South) $75
EverStart Maxx-34S (South) $75 CR Best Buy
EverStart Maxx-75S (South) $75
Guide to the Ratings
Under brand & model, we note models sold in the
North or South; others are sold nationally. Overall
score combines life-test performance, reserve
capacity, and cold-cranking-amp (CCA)
performance in our tests; scores are relative to
others in their group sizes. Life test measures how
a battery endures repeated charge-and-discharge
cycles at hot-climate engine-compartment
temperatures. The more cycles endured while
maintaining a higher voltage, the higher the score.
Reserve capacity estimates how long batteries
can run a car if the charging system fails. CCA
performance reflects voltage at our load of half the
average claimed CCA for each group size after
cranking for 15 seconds at 0° F. We charged batteries
at the 14.5 volts that vehicles usually supply rather
than the higher voltage that manufacturers use.
Batteries charged at the lower voltage met industry
voltage standards for a fully charged battery.
Warranty reflects the free-replacement period and
the total prorated periods in months. Claimed CCA
is the manufacturer’s claimed performance that
appears on the battery. Price is approximate retail
rounded to the nearest $5.
50
3
4
6
7
8
9
D
For more temperate climates:
A9
B6
B7
C3
D7
E7
2
5
N
d
N
d
c
1
2
3
4
c
N
d
c
5
6
7
8
9
10
E
c
N
d
1
2
3
N
d
N
d
d
N
d
4
5
6
7
8
c
9
10
F
c
Claimed CCA
4
" 4 36/100 795
4 " 4 24/84 800
66
85
800
Autocraft Gold 34/78-4
4 4 " 36/84
135 66
800
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-78DT |
4 4 4 30/85
170 66
Orbital Exide Select ORB78DT-84
" " 6 36/84 770
800
90 63
Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG
4 4 " 36/96
550
Interstate I-78
85 62
4 " " 18/65
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-78DT
110 52
725
" " " 24/75
Interstate I-34
85 51
18/65
540
4 2 "
GROUP 24/24F Top terminal fits many Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles.
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24
115 83
800
4 6 6 30/85
75 82
36/108
700
4 6 4
75 78
700
4 6 4 36/108
90 77
4 6 4 24/84 650
90 75
750
4 6 6 36/96
72
90
700
Autocraft Gold 24-6
4 6 4 36/84
80 66
600
Duralast 24-DL
4 4 4 24/84
110 59
" " 4 36/100 700
600
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-24
100 43
" 2 " 24/75
GROUP 35 Top terminal fits many Japanese nameplates.
90 82
640
4 6 6 36/96
79
640
90
4 6 4 36/96
75 79
4 6 4 36/108 640
110 78
4 6 6 36/100 640
60 77
4 6 4 36/100 640
90 74
4 4 4 24/84 600
75 73
550
4 6 4 36/108
70
95
36/84
640
Autocraft Gold 35-2

4 4 4
100 68
640
" 6 4 30/85
80 64
500
Duralast 35-DL
4 " " 24/84
13
Continued
E2 Duralast Gold 75-DLG $85
E4 Autocraft Gold 75-3 $85
E5 Duralast 75 DL $75
E6 EverStart Maxx-75N (North) $75
E9 Kirkland Signature 12869 $65 CR Best Buy
F1 EverStart Maxx-48N $75 CR Best Buy
Warranty
GROUP 34/78 & 78 continued
9
11
c
c
N
d
CCA
B
12
F1 EverStart
100
P | F | G | VG | E
Test results Features
Handle
Maintenance free
0
10 NAPA Legend Premium 8434/78
E1 Bosch
Price Overall score
Key number
D5 Kirkland
Recommendation
Brand & model
Life
Reserve capacity
In performance order, within types. (Types designated A, B, etc.)
1
2
$105 68
95 67
GROUP 75 Side terminal fits some GM midsized and compacts and a few Chrysler vehicles.
80 77
730
4 6 4 36/96
85 75
36/96
720

4 4 4
75
110
700
4 4 4 30/85
85 74
700
Autocraft Gold 75-3
4 4 4 36/84
650
75 73
Duralast 75-DL
4 6 " 24/84
75 73
36/108
690

4 4 4
550
75 73
4 4 " 36/108
110 72
4 6 4 36/108 700
65 68
4 4 4 36/100 700
90 68
4 4 " 24/84 650
GROUP 48 Top terminal fits many European and some GM vehicles.
75 75
EverStart Maxx-48N |
4 4 4 36/108 700
68
140
DieHard 33348
4 4 4 36/100 700
At Sears and Kmart only. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology. At Auto Zone only. At Costco only. At Pep Boys
only. At Advance Auto Parts only. At NAPA only. |At Walmart only.
c o n sumer r ep o rts novem b er 20 10
OFFRE
FE E
R
Select the right size
65 (top terminal)
Fits large cars, trucks, and sportutility vehicles from Ford.
75 (side terminal)
Fits some General Motors midsized
and compact cars and a few Chrysler
vehicles.
24/24F (top terminal)
Fits many Acura, Honda, Infiniti,
Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles.
34/78 and 78 (dual terminal)
Can you tell the difference between...
good and bad financial advice?
Good or Bad Advice? (Check your answers below)
Fits many large Chrysler vehicles and
many ’96-00 GM pickups, SUVs, and
midsized and large sedans.
1. The best place to stash cash now is a money market account
35 (top terminal)
3. Class B mutual funds are as good as no-load mutual funds
Fits most Japanese nameplates,
including many recent Hondas, most
Subarus, and most Nissan and
Toyota vehicles.
48 (top terminal)
Fits many European cars and some
General Motors models.
1 CLOSE UP
Check the warning signs
Today’s electrical and fuel systems
can start a car with a minimum of
cranking. And while that’s a good
thing, it can also mean that you
might not know your battery is
getting weak until it’s too late.
If you wait until your battery fails
before you replace it, you might not
get a chance to consider our advice
and get the best replacement for
your needs and budget.
That’s why we recommend that you
have your mechanic run a test on
your battery once a year after it’s
two years old if you live in a warmer
climate, or after it’s
four years old if
you’re in a colder
climate. And
with winter
right around
the corner,
now is the
perfect time
to do so. Hot
temperatures
tax batteries
more than cold
weather does, but a
battery that’s weakened by
summer’s heat is more likely to fail
once freezing weather arrives.
Good Advice Bad Advice
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Answers:
1. GOOD ADVICE. If keeping ahead of inflation without any significant risk appeals to
you, consider a high-yield money market account for your cash reserves.
2. BAD ADVICE. New research shows that the old notion of retiring on 75% of your
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than no-load funds. A BETTER PLAN: Avoid Class B shares.
SD0B4A
novem b e r 20 10 ww w.C on sum e r Rep orts.or g
51
iPad IMAGES (NOT FOR PRINT)
We perform the cold-cranking-amp test 10 times on each model of battery.
The batteries must be chilled to 0° F before the cold-cranking-amp test.
Our technician measures how each battery holds up after being drained
and recharged almost 3,000 times.
Six batteries emerge from a deep freeze just before we test them.