Your car battery is an essential component of your automobile. Without it, your vehicle wouldn’t have the power it needs to run, much less start. Though the major vehicle components, such as the engine and transmission, get all the care and attention, if you want to keep your car or truck on the road for as long as possible, it may be time to show your battery some TLC. It addition to changing it at proper intervals, there are some things you can do to extend the life of the battery you currently have. But first, get the low down on the most trusted car batteries, as well as what you need to do to change your Honda CRV battery.
What the Most Trusted Car Batteries Are
Given the significant variation in battery sizes and performance from year to year, it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint just one make or model of a battery that is “best.” Moreover, even those that come highly recommended may perform poorly in your particular vehicle. Ideally, you should check your car’s manual or refer to a fit guide before shopping for a car battery.
All that being said, there are some features of a battery that make it better than others. If you’re in the market for a trusted vehicle battery, check the following:
- Age: Look for a battery that is less than six months old. If you can find one that is three months or younger, even better.
- Warranties: Car batteries with extended warranties typically offer optimal performance. Try to get a battery with a longer-than-average free replacement period.
- Type: Compare the pros and cons of a lead-acid battery and an absorbed glass mat one.
- Fit: The battery you choose should fit exactly and have terminals in the correct place.
- Reserve Capacity: Average batteries offer 1.5 hours of power after the charging system fails (which may happen if, say, you accidentally leave your headlights on). Higher performing batteries offer two hours.
- Battery Life: Opt for a battery with a high battery life score.
How to Replace Your Honda CRV Battery
When your 2016 Honda CRV battery dies on you, the first thing you need to do is locate it. It should be easily accessible on either side of your vehicle’s frame. Identify the battery terminals and disconnect them, beginning with the negative. Remove the old battery and install the new one. Reconnect first the positive terminal and then the negative. Use a wrench to tighten the clamps, close the hood and then test the battery by starting your car. Don’t forget to dispose of your old battery properly and in a responsible way.
Maintaining Your New Battery
You can save yourself significant time, money and hassle by taking steps to extend the life of your new battery. Some tips for doing so include limiting short rides, as short rides prevent your battery from fully charging; remembering to turn off all lights when exiting the vehicle; checking and tightening your battery terminals regularly; cleaning the terminals regularly to prevent corrosion; limiting AC, radio and the use of other functions when idling; and maintaining your vehicle as a whole.
Routine maintenance can go a long way toward preserving the life of your battery. When your battery does fail, however, shop for a new one from a reputable auto parts store.
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