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
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
P H OTO BY RO B E RT M E S C AVAG E
production to a different manufacturer.
Because of that, weve removed seven
DieHard models from our Ratings. Well
test the new ones as soon as theyre avail-
able and publish an update when testing
is complete.
48 c o n sum er r e p o rts novem b er 20 10
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
weve added a new group size, Group 48,
to our testing this year. Its appearing
more in European models and some
General Motors cars.
How to choose
Your vehicles owners 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
that best meets your needs and budget.
Think about maintenance. Choose a
maintenance-free battery if you dont want
the chores of checking electrolyte levels and
adding distilled water. Many batteries are
completely sealed, and some offer compa-
rable performance but dont 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 manu-
facturers claim that makes the batteries
spillproof, safer, and more resistant to
vibration. You might want to try an AGM
battery if your cars 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. Thats particularly important if
you make a lot of short trips, which dont
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 elec-
trolyte faster. Freezing temperatures can
sap a batterys energy and thicken motor
 BY THE NUMBERS 10,370 Number of times battery cables were attached and detached

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 cold-
cranking-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.
Fresh is best. All batteries lose their they can be easily recycled. Most states
strength over time, even when theyre require retailers to take old batteries in
just sitting on store shelves. Look for a trade. Some stores will install the new
battery thats no more than six months battery and dispose of the old one free of
old. Most batteries have a shipping code charge, but some outlets charge for that
printed on the case, which can be a letter service. Check with the retailer before
for the month (A for January) and a you buy. If you do the installation your-
number for the year (10 for 2010). self, expect a small core charge thats
Dispose of your old battery safely. usually refunded when you turn in the
Batteries contain toxic lead and acid, but old battery.

A3 Kirkland B2 EverStart B3 EverStart C3 EverStart D3 EverStart

Overview Excellent
We believe that a batterys service life is the
most important consideration, so our Ratings
Ratings Car batteries Very Good
Good
Fair
put more weight on our life-test results than In performance order, within types. (Types designated A, B, etc.) Poor
on reserve capacity and cold-cranking Brand & model Price Overall score Test results Features
performance. Youre likely to find that the
Recommendation
Key number

Life
Reserve capacity
CCA

Warranty

Handle
Maintenance free

Claimed CCA
trade-off is worth it. We rate auto batteries
by overall performance within group sizes
and identify models that are sealed and
0 100
maintenance freea plus, especially if your
P | F | G | VG | E
vehicles battery is difficult to reach. Because
there are so many group sizes, there are many A GROUP 65 Top terminal fits many large Ford vehicles.
recommended batteries to choose from. 1 DieHard Platinum 50065 $190 90 
6 
6 
6 45/100 930
2 Duralast Gold 65-DLG 100 80 4
 6
 4
 36/96 875
c CR Best Buy
These models offer the best combination of
N
c 3 Kirkland Signature 12866 75 78 4
 6
 6
 36/100 900
4 DieHard Gold 33065 (North) 110 77 4
 6
 6
 36/100 850
performance and price. All are recommended.
5 Bosch Premium Power 65-850B 95 77 4
 6
 4
 36/96 850

d Recommended 6 Autocraft Gold 65-2 105 77 4

 6
 4
 36/84 850

These high-scoring models stand out for the

N
d 7 NAPA Legend Premium 8465 105 75 4
 4
 6
 24/84 750

reasons below. 8 DieHard 30065 (North) 90 74 4

 4
 6
 18/72 675
N
d 9 EverStart Maxx-65S (South) | 75 73 4
 4
 4
 36/108 700
N
d 10 EverStart Maxx-65N (North) |  
4 " 6 36/108 850
75 73
For cold-weather climates: 11 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-65 " 
 6 4 30/85
125 72 850
A3 Kirkland Signature 12866 $75 CR Best Buy
12 Duralast 65-DL 90 66 4 
 6 " 24/84 750
A7 NAPA Legend Premium 8465 $105
A10 EverStart Maxx-65N (North) $75
13 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65 115 60 4 
 " 2 24/75 675
B2 EverStart Maxx-34N (North) $75 CR Best Buy B GROUP 34/78 & 78 Dual terminal fits many large Chrysler and GM pickups, SUVs, and sedans.
B3 EverStart Maxx-78N (North) $75 CR Best Buy 1 DieHard Platinum 50090 190 91 6 
 6 6 48/100 880
B8 DieHard 30034 (North) $90 c 2 EverStart Maxx-34N (North) | 75 81 4
 4
 6 36/108 770

C2 EverStart Maxx-24N (North) $75 CR Best Buy
c 3 EverStart Maxx-78N (North) | 75 79 4 
 4 6 36/108 770
C4 NAPA Legend Premium 8424 $90
4 Optima RedTop SC34U 150 76 6 
 " 6 36/72 800
C7 Duralast 24-DL $80
D1 Bosch Premium Power 35-640B $90
5 Deka Intimidator 9A78DT 190 75 4 
 6 6 12/36 750
D3 EverStart Maxx-35N (North) $75 CR Best Buy c 6 EverStart Maxx-34S (South) | 75 72 4 
 4 4 36/108 660
D5 Kirkland Signature 12865 $60 CR Best Buy c 7 EverStart Maxx-78S (South) | 75 71 4 
 4 " 36/108 650
D6 NAPA Legend Premium 8435 $90 N
d 8 DieHard 30034 (North) 90 69 4
 4
 4
 18/72 695
E1 Bosch Premium Power 75-730B $80 CR Best Buy
At Sears and Kmart only. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology. At Auto Zone only. At Costco only. At Pep Boys
Overview continued on next page 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

In performance order, within types. (Types designated A, B, etc.)
c CR Best Buy
d Recommended
Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
Brand & model Price Overall score Test results Features

Recommendation
Key number

Life
Reserve capacity
CCA

Warranty

Handle
Maintenance free

Claimed CCA
D5 Kirkland 0 100
P | F | G | VG | E
B GROUP 34/78 & 78 continued
9 DieHard Gold 33334 (North) $105 68  
4 "  4 36/100 795
10 NAPA Legend Premium 8434/78 95 67 4 
 "  4 24/84 800
11 Autocraft Gold 34/78-4 85 66 4 
 4  " 36/84 800
12 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-78DT | 135 66 4 
 4  4 30/85 800
13 Orbital Exide Select ORB78DT-84 170 66 " 
 "  6 36/84 770
E1 Bosch
14 Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG 90 63 4 
 4  " 36/96 800
15 Interstate I-78 85 62 4 
 "  " 18/65 550
16 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-78DT 110 52 " 
 "  " 24/75 725
17 Interstate I-34 85 51 4 
 2  " 18/65 540
C GROUP 24/24F Top terminal fits many Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles.
1 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24 115 83 4 
 6  6 30/85 800
c 2 EverStart Maxx-24N (North) | 75 82 4 
 6  4 36/108 700
F1 EverStart
Continued
c 3 EverStart Maxx-24S (South) | 75 78 4 
 6  4 36/108 700

E2 Duralast Gold 75-DLG $85 N

d 4 NAPA Legend Premium 8424 90 77 4 
 6  4 24/84 650
E4 Autocraft Gold 75-3 $85 5 Duralast Gold 24-DLG 90 75 4 
 6  6 36/96 750
E5 Duralast 75 DL $75 6 Autocraft Gold 24-6 90 72 4 
 6  4 36/84 700
E6 EverStart Maxx-75N (North) $75 N
d 7 Duralast 24-DL 80 66 4 
 4  4 24/84 600
E9 Kirkland Signature 12869 $65 CR Best Buy 8 DieHard Gold 33023 (North) 110 59 " 
 "  4 36/100 700
F1 EverStart Maxx-48N $75 CR Best Buy 9 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-24 100 43 " 
 2  " 24/75 600
For more temperate climates: D GROUP 35 Top terminal fits many Japanese nameplates.
A9 EverStart Maxx-65S (South) $75
N
d 1 Bosch Premium Power 35-640B 90 82 4 
 6  6 36/96 640
B6 EverStart Maxx-34S (South) $75 CR Best Buy 2 Duralast Gold 35-DLG 90 79 4 
 6  4 36/96 640
B7 EverStart Maxx-78S (South) $75 CR Best Buy
C3 EverStart Maxx-24S (South) $75 CR Best Buy
c 3 EverStart Maxx-35N (North) | 75 79 4 
 6  4 36/108 640
D7 EverStart Maxx-35S (South) $75 CR Best Buy
4 DieHard Gold 33035 (North) 110 78 4 
 6  6 36/100 640
E7 EverStart Maxx-75S (South) $75 c 5 Kirkland Signature 12865 60 77 4 
 6  4 36/100 640
N
d 6 NAPA Legend Premium 8435 90 74 4 
 4  4 24/84 600
Guide to the Ratings c 7 EverStart Maxx-35S (South) | 75 73 4 
 6  4 36/108 550
8 Autocraft Gold 35-2 95 70 4 
 4  4 36/84 640
Under brand & model, we note models sold in the
North or South; others are sold nationally. Overall 9 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-35 100 68 " 
 6  4 30/85 640
score combines life-test performance, reserve 10 Duralast 35-DL 80 64 4 
 "  " 24/84 500
capacity, and cold-cranking-amp (CCA)
performance in our tests; scores are relative to E GROUP 75 Side terminal fits some GM midsized and compacts and a few Chrysler vehicles.
others in their group sizes. Life test measures how c 1 Bosch Premium Power 75-730B 80 77 4 
 6  4 36/96 730
a battery endures repeated charge-and-discharge
cycles at hot-climate engine-compartment N
d 2 Duralast Gold 75-DLG 85 75 4 
 4  4 36/96 720
temperatures. The more cycles endured while 3 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-75 110 75 4 
 4  4 30/85 700
maintaining a higher voltage, the higher the score.
Reserve capacity estimates how long batteries
N
d 4 Autocraft Gold 75-3 85 74 4 
 4  4 36/84 700
can run a car if the charging system fails. CCA N
d 5 Duralast 75-DL 75 73 4 
 6  " 24/84 650
performance reflects voltage at our load of half the d 6 EverStart Maxx-75N (North) | 75 73 4 
 4  4 36/108 690
average claimed CCA for each group size after
cranking for 15 seconds at 0 F. We charged batteries
N
d 7 EverStart Maxx-75S (South) | 75 73 4 
 4  " 36/108 550
at the 14.5 volts that vehicles usually supply rather 8 DieHard Gold 33075 (North) 110 72 4 
 6  4 36/108 700
than the higher voltage that manufacturers use.
c 9 Kirkland Signature 12869 65 68 4 
 4  4 36/100 700
Batteries charged at the lower voltage met industry
voltage standards for a fully charged battery.
10 NAPA Legend Premium 8475 90 68 4 
 4  " 24/84 650
Warranty reflects the free-replacement period and F GROUP 48 Top terminal fits many European and some GM vehicles.
the total prorated periods in months. Claimed CCA
is the manufacturers claimed performance that c 1 EverStart Maxx-48N | 75 75 4 
 4  4 36/108 700
appears on the battery. Price is approximate retail 2 DieHard 33348 140 68 4 
 4  4 36/100 700
rounded to the nearest $5. 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.
50 c o n sumer r ep o rts novem b er 20 10
 OFFRE
Select the right size FE E
65 (top terminal)
R
Fits large cars, trucks, and sport-
utility vehicles from Ford.

75 (side terminal)
Fits some General Motors midsized
and compact cars and a few Chrysler
Can you tell the difference between...
vehicles.

24/24F (top terminal) good and bad financial advice?

Fits many Acura, Honda, Infiniti,
Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles.
Good or Bad Advice? (Check your answers below) Good Advice Bad Advice
34/78 and 78 (dual terminal)
Fits many large Chrysler vehicles and 1. The best place to stash cash now is a money market account
many 96-00 GM pickups, SUVs, and
midsized and large sedans. 2. You can afford to retire on 75% of your pre-retirement income
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 There is so much bad financial advice out there, it makes sense to
Toyota vehicles.
turn to the good advice you'll find in Consumer Reports Money Adviser.
48 (top terminal)
Fits many European cars and some Consumer Reports Money Adviser is brought to you from Consumer
General Motors models.
Reports. Like the magazine, Money Adviser is expert, independent
and nonprofit.
1 CLOSE UP Youll find easy ways to help keep your money safe...ensure that your
financial future is secure and comfortable...boost your investment
Check the warning signs
profits...and learn what your broker, your banker, your accountant
Todays electrical and fuel systems wont tell you.
t Find a financial planner you can trust
can start a car with a minimum of
cranking. And while thats a good
thing, it can also mean that you
might not know your battery is t Determine whether you can retire early
getting weak until its too late.
t Get the best deals on credit cards
t What salespeople arent telling you about annuities
If you wait until your battery fails
before you replace it, you might not

t Organize your will, power of attorney and estate easily

get a chance to consider our advice
and get the best replacement for
your needs and budget.

Thats why we recommend that you See for yourself. Examine an issue now as our guest.
have your mechanic run a test on
your battery once a year after its
Its FREE, with NO obligation to buy anything, now or ever!
two years old if you live in a warmer
climate, or after its For good financial advice, turn to the source you can trust.
four years old if
youre in a colder
Send for a free copy of Consumer Reports Money Adviser.
climate. And Mail the attached post-paid card today!
with winter
right around Answers:
the corner,
now is the 1. GOOD ADVICE. If keeping ahead of inflation without any significant risk appeals to
perfect time you, consider a high-yield money market account for your cash reserves.
to do so. Hot
2. BAD ADVICE. New research shows that the old notion of retiring on 75% of your
temperatures
pre-retirement income does NOT apply to most people. A BETTER PLAN: Keep part of
tax batteries
your portfolio invested in stocks, even after you retire, to generate additional income.
more than cold
weather does, but a 3. BAD ADVICE. Brokers will sometimes tell you misleadingly that B shares are just
battery thats weakened by like no-load funds. But when you redeem B shares you are charged a fee thats higher
summers heat is more likely to fail than no-load funds. A BETTER PLAN: Avoid Class B shares.
once freezing weather arrives.
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 Six batteries emerge from a deep freeze just before we test them.
and recharged almost 3,000 times.