Another greatly misunderstood car component is the battery. -- It seems like a simple part and it is, as it's only purpose is to start the engine.

What is not clear is that the battery has no purpose once the engine has been started. -- The voltage to run your car is actually supplied by the alternator or generator.--The electrical theory behind this is simple.-- A 12 volt battery provides about 12 volts when fully charged but the only way to charge the battery is with a source of higher voltage. -- In your car that means an alternator or generator that is producing 13-14 volts.

So, what should you be concerned with when buying a battery? -- First, it should have enough cranking power to start your engine. -- Use the manufacturers recommendation if your engine is stock.-- Larger displacement and compression ratios requires a bit more cranking power.-- The classic hard to start situation is cold temperatures. -- Much more power is required because motor oil becomes more like molasses and at the same time the chemical reactions in the battery make less power as temperatures drop. -- The untold truth though is that if you only drive your fun car in warm weather, any good battery will start a normal engine reliably.--A good battery, more than any fancy characteristics is just one that is in healthy condition. -- The more times a battery is discharged, the greater the discharge, and the age of the battery all lead to a junk battery. -- Your main prioririty in buying a battery should be getting the right size to fit your battery tray and making sure it meets the specs for your engine.-- If you want to spend more on a battery that's fine, just don't try to convence yourself that it will do the job any better.

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