Ok it's time to get a new battery for my car and i have an old one from my old bmw (current car is a 88 prelude) The terminals are both the saem but the bmw battery is slight;y bigger.
My question, Are batterys car specific? or are they all the same?
Thanks
2007-11-24 08:53:49 · 20 answers · asked by insano_dano 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hi Insano.
I used to have a 5series, with a dodgy 12v battery, i was quoted around £90 for a replacment, but i popped into my local marine centre, got a exide, twice the capcity of the old one, slighly bigger, same terinals, it slotted in with a very slight bend of a clip, done!, and for only £42! bargin, never had a another flat battery again!!!!
Basically all car batteries are the same inside, but its the voltage (12/24V) and terminals (round, flat, square) are the issue which then goes on tthe physcial size. as your car has a tray for it and decides what physical size battery you can have.
I found the maintenance free batteries dont last as long, as the one you need to top up with distilled water!. but theres a new type of calcium battery, which is supposed to be even better!.
http://www.autobatteries.com/basics/index.asp
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/210431/car_batteries.html
these sites will give you a little more info!.
hope this helps.!
2007-11-24 21:43:27 · answer #1 · answered by Neurotic_Fish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Others have nailed that batteries come in many flavors. If the terminals are the same and oriented on the same manner and the battery is bigger, it would probably work and you could get by with it. The problem is when someone puts a smaller battery into a car that needs more juice.
Buy a battery acid tester. They're cheap, check the cells, if it's not sealed and see how well the battery is holding up. Be careful of the battery acid, it's dangerous if you get on your skin, clothes or in eyes.
If the battery has sat for a long period of time, it probably won't last long.
2007-11-25 17:29:55 · answer #2 · answered by rann_georgia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Batteries come in many different sizes, amperages, outside dimensions and a couple different terminal setups (side post, top post).
Generally the higher the CCA (cold cranking amps) the more power the battery will have and less it will have to work to start your car. Best way to find out is to call an auto parts store and tell them what kind of car you have and they can tell you the batteries they have that will fit it.
Basically just about any "car" battery would have sufficient power to start your car but only the correct size will fit under the hood and into the battery hold down mechanism on your particular vehicle.
You can also go to an auto parts store or Walmart and look your car up in the book yourself, there is always one hanging somewhere around the batteries in the isle.
Good Luck!
2007-11-24 09:01:06 · answer #3 · answered by naughty_b0yee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no they are not the same,depending on the car the type of pole (round,square bolt on) also the size or capacity of the battery measured in am pares .if you look on the top of the battery something that will indicate amps per hour when you find this x's it by 5 this will give total output of the battery
but you are not stuck to buying a specific make shop around
but make sure the battery is up to the job
2007-11-24 09:23:52 · answer #4 · answered by steve c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Typically you should stick with the recommended battery for the car. Not only is there a potential difference between the two connectors on the top, there may be problems with the rating of the battery giving you problems with starting.
Ja.
2007-11-25 05:56:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
car batteries? Whats the difference?
Ok it's time to get a new battery for my car and i have an old one from my old bmw (current car is a 88 prelude) The terminals are both the saem but the bmw battery is slight;y bigger.
My question, Are batterys car specific? or are they all the same?
Thanks
2015-08-19 01:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are made in different sizes to fit different cars and the power of the battery changes from car to car...diesels and bigger engines need more amps to turn them over for starting from cold but generally if you can fit the battery securely on your car it will be OK
2007-11-24 09:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Batteries are rated in Ampere-Hours, the more ampere hours the larger the capacity to crank your engine over. Go to your local tyre/battery/exhaust place, sorted. It may be that your old BMW battery is a 50 A/H, and your Prelude is a 40 A/H
Batteries come in all capacities... the biggest I have dealt with was 6000 A/H
2007-11-24 09:06:51 · answer #8 · answered by johncob 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not fit a battery of a similar size just because it fits in the space available.
Modern car batteries are suited for the starting and consumption amperage of the specific vehicle range for which they are designed.
2007-11-24 09:08:03 · answer #9 · answered by hawkeye 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are fitting a non original battery make sure the terminals are the same way round. they make versions with the + on the right or the left when fitted. If you get this wrong you will blow every electronic bit on the car and have to pay lots of money to get it fixed or towed away
2007-11-26 01:47:42 · answer #10 · answered by The original Peter G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋