Best Car Battery Buying Guide - Consumer Reports - All (2016!03!08 21-28-04 UTC)

Car battery Ratings http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/car-batteries/...
Brand & Model Price Ratings and Test Results
Group 65 car batteries
Car batteries
Car battery Ratings
This chart includes ratings for similar and tested models. Visit our Price & Shop page to shop for additional unrated models.
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Ratings Overview Features & Specs What's behind the Ratings? You can add models from other types to y
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DieHard Advanced Gold 50734
Interstate MT7-65 2 5 $280 90
DieHard Gold 50865 (North) 1 $145 87
DieHard Advanced Gold 50765 26 $175 84
EverStart Maxx-65S (South) 4 $90 83
Duralast 65-AGM 2 3 $175 71
DieHard Gold 50965 (South) 1 $145 67
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65 5 $120 66
Plus Start 51265 1 $110 65
DieHard 50365 1 $125 61
Bosch 65-850B 7 $140 59
Group 34, 78 & 34/78 car batteries
DieHard Advanced Gold 50778 2 6 $165 92
Duralast 78DT-AGM 2 3 $155 91
Optima Yellow Top 3478DT 2 5 $190 90
EverStart MAXX-78N 4 $100 81
Duralast 34-DL 3 $100 80
Bosch 34-770B 7 $125 69
EverStart Maxx-34N (North) 4 $90 61
Bosch 78-770B 7 $125 61
DieHard 50378 1 $110 60
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Brand &Brand
Model& Model Price Price Ratings and
Ratings
Test and
Results
Test Results
Group
Group 65 65 car batteries
car batteries
Group 24 & 24F car batteries
EverStart MAXX-24FN (North) 4 $85 87
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24 5 $125 86
DieHard 50324 1 $105 67
Bosch 24-700B 7 $115 64
EverStart MAXX-35N (North) 4 $90 86
Bosch 35-640B 7 $125 85
Plus Start 51235 1 $100 54
DieHard 50335 1 $110 50
Interstate MT7-75DT 2 5 $250 95
Bosch 75-700B 7 $115 71
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-75 5 $110

71
EverStart MAXX-75N (North) 4 $80 69
Plus Start 51275 1 $85 54
DieHard 50375 1 $120 47
Interstate MT7-48/H6 2 5 $260 93
Bosch H6-760B 7 $140 85
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-48/H6 5 $150 81
EverStart MAXX-H6 4 $110 73
Duralast H6-DL 3 $130 68
Duralast Platinum H6-AGM 2 3 $165 38
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2 of 3 6/6/2015 8:39 AM
DieHard Advanced Gold 50734

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1 At Sears and Kmart only.

2 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology.
3Group 65 car
At AutoZone batteries
only.
4 At Walmart only.
5 At independent dealers only.
6 At Sears only.
7 At Pep Boys only.
3 of 3 6/6/2015 8:39 AM
Best Car Battery Buying Guide – Consumer Reports http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/car-batteries/buying-guide.htm#
Home > Cars > Car batteries buying guide
Car batteries
Car battery buying guide

Last updated: April 2015
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Getting started | Types | How we test | Brands | Warranties
Getting started
Throughout the life of your vehicle, you will probably have to replace your car's battery a number of times. Either
it gets old and has to be replaced, or it is drained unintentionally when lights or another electrical accessory are
left on. A dead battery can be a hassle, especially if you cannot find jumper cables or have to wait for roadside
assistance. Being proactive in replacing your battery can ensure that your car is ready to go when you are.
Through this battery buying guide, we will advise on considerations for battery ownership and replacement.
Battery maintenance
Virtually all modern car batteries are maintenance-free, meaning there is no need to check or top off electrolyte
levels. We do recommend that you have your battery tested by a mechanic every year once it's two years old if
you live in a warmer climate, or four years old if you live in a colder climate.
Make sure the battery fits your car and driving needs
When the time comes to buy a replacement battery, make sure you get the right size and design (or type) for your
vehicle. Check your owner's manual or an in-store fit guide before shopping.
Choose a battery that fits your climate and driving conditions. A model that did well in our battery-life testing, for
example, is critical if you live in a warmer climate. Frequent high temperatures are very tough on batteries,
increase corrosion of plates, and more quickly vaporize the electrolyte that is needed for current. Long life is also
important if you make many short trips that don't allow much time for recharging.
Along with good life-testing performance, choose a battery that scored well in our cold-cranking amps and
reserve-capacity testing. Most products in our car batteries comparison have proved to be at least adequate in
both of those tests, but there is performance variation.
How to choose the battery

All batteries lose strength over time, even when idle. So choose one no more than six months old. Most have a
shipping code on the case. Some use a letter for the month ("A" for January) and a number for the year ("5" for
2015); others use a numeric date.
All things being equal, favor a model with a helpful plastic loop. Such a handle makes it easier to lift and carry
batteries, which weigh about 40 pounds, and just as important, aids in lowering the battery onto the tray in tightly
packed engine compartments.
Battery recycling
A battery's toxic lead and acid can easily be recycled, and most retailers will dispose of the old one for you. When
buying a new battery, you might pay a charge that's refunded if you bring in the old battery after installing the new
one.
1 of 1 6/6/2015 9:35 AM
Car batteries

Warranties
A decade ago, a battery's free-replacement period was as little as three months, and the prorated period (which
allows only partial reimbursement) might have been just 50 months. Today, a 36-month free-replacement
warranty is typical and prorating is no longer provided on some batteries.
But even with today's longer warranties, it's still important to choose a battery with the longest free-replacement
period you can get.
A battery warranty code of 24/84, for example, indicates a free-replacement period of 24 months and a prorated
warranty of 84 months. But the amount you'll be reimbursed usually drops off pretty quickly once you're into the
prorated period.
For example, on a battery that offers a 96-month prorated warranty, after four years, or half the warranty period,
you would be credited with half of the original price if the battery failed.
Signs of neglect, such as low-water levels and improper installation, can void a warranty. So can use in
heavy-duty applications such as high-end car audio and marine use if the battery is not recommended for them.
1 of 1 6/6/2015 9:39 AM
Car batteries

Brands
AutoCraft | Bosch | DieHard | Duralast | EverStart | Interstate | NAPA | Nascar Select
Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the United States are made by three companies that build them for
retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market, Exide, and East Penn. They are sold
under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary. Most stores will test,
install, and match the right battery to your car’s needs. Here are the major brands and where they are sold:
AutoCraft
Available at a variety of Advance Auto Parts stores across the country.
Bosch
Available at Pep Boys.
DieHard
Available at Sears and Kmart automotive centers.
Duralast
Sold at AutoZone.
EverStart
Available at Walmart stores.
Interstate
Available at a number of auto parts stores, repair shops, and online.
NAPA
Sold through NAPA auto-parts stores.
Nascar Select
Sold through NAPA auto-parts stores.
1 of 1 6/6/2015 9:38 AM
Car batteries

How we test
Our battery-life test is based on a standard adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Our test
includes partially draining and then recharging each battery almost 3,000 times over a 15-week period, during
which the battery must meet voltage and amperage limits based on real-life demands. The highest scorers
maintained higher voltages and were able to withstand more cycles.
In addition to our endurance tests, our reserve-capacity test measures how long an auto battery can supply
power if the charging system fails or if you leave your headlights or accessories on. We consider 1½ hours of
power to be average. Higher-scoring models can supply power well past two hours.
We also test for cold-cranking amps. That's the measure of current that's available at 0º F and is the primary
indicator of cold-climate performance. CCA has long been a major selling point for batteries. But we believe that
the industry's claimed CCA doesn't reflect real-world conditions because batteries are charged at a higher voltage
than the 14.5 volts provided by most vehicles' alternators. Our CCA test is based on more realistic charging
voltages and amperage demands, and our results show each battery's relative cranking power, regardless of the
manufacturer's claims.
1 of 1 6/6/2015 9:37 AM
Car batteries

Types
Batteries come in a variety of sizes and it's important to choose the right size. The wrong size might not fit
securely or provide sufficient power. If the terminals are in the wrong place, your car's cables might not reach, or
it may not fit securely. Check your owner's manual or an in-store fit guide.
Size 65 (top terminal)

Fits large cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles from Ford or Mercury.
Size 75 (side terminal)

Fits some General Motors midsized and compact cars and a few Chrysler
vehicles.
Size 24/24F (top terminal)

Fits many Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles.
Size 34/78 (dual terminal)

Fits many large Chrysler vehicles and many 1996-2000 GM pickups, SUVs,
and midsized and large sedans.
Size 35 (top terminal)

Fits most Japanese nameplates, including many recent Hondas, most Subarus,
and most Nissan and Toyota vehicles.
Size 51R (top terminal)

Fits many Japanese vehicles from Honda, Mazda, and Nissan.
1 of 2 6/6/2015 9:36 AM
Absorbed glass mat (AGM)

AGMs are built to better stand up to repeated draining and recharging cycles than standard batteries. They are
becoming standard equipment in more cars because modern features such as fuel-saving stop-start systems,
electronic safety and convenience features, and power outlets for mobile electronics all increase the demand for
power. But AGMs can cost significantly more than other highly rated batteries.You should consider getting an
Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM battery if you sometimes don't use your vehicle for long periods and the battery loses
its charge. An AGM battery will generally cost 50 to 100 percent more than a conventional lead acid battery but
will hold a charge longer, can better tolerate a deep discharge, and is more likely to fully recovery if it is
accidentally deep discharged. If you don't want to spend the extra money or your current battery is fairly new, the
best way to prevent it from excessive discharge during extended periods where it isn't used is by connecting the
stored battery to a float charger also known as storage, maintenance, or smart charger. These chargers have
built in circuitry to prevent overcharging. Some trickle chargers do not have this and can damage a battery by
over charging it. Even though a float charger automatically monitors and charges the battery it is still best to
periodically take a look at the battery and charger set up just to make sure everything is still in good working
order and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
2 of 2 6/6/2015 9:36 AM

Best Car Battery Buying Guide - Consumer Reports - All (2016!03!08 21-28-04 UTC)

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Car battery Ratings http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/car-batteries/...

Brand & Model Price Ratings and Test Results

Group 65 car batteries

Select up to 5 models to compare detailed

You have chosen to compare:

Brand & Model Price Ratings and Test Results

Group 65 car batteries

Interstate MT7-65 2 5 $280 90

DieHard Gold 50865 (North) 1 $145 87

DieHard Advanced Gold 50765 26 $175 84

EverStart Maxx-65S (South) 4 $90 83

Duralast 65-AGM 2 3 $175 71

DieHard Gold 50965 (South) 1 $145 67

Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65 5 $120 66

Plus Start 51265 1 $110 65

DieHard 50365 1 $125 61

Bosch 65-850B 7 $140 59

Group 34, 78 & 34/78 car batteries

DieHard Advanced Gold 50778 2 6 $165 92

Duralast 78DT-AGM 2 3 $155 91

Optima Yellow Top 3478DT 2 5 $190 90

Interstate MT7-34 2 5 $260 89

DieHard Advanced Gold 50734 2 6 $165 89

EverStart MAXX-78N 4 $100 81

Interstate MT7-78 2 5 $270 81

Duralast 34-DL 3 $100 80

EverStart Maxx-34S (South) 4 $90 76

DieHard Gold 50978 (South) 1 $130 76

Duralast 78-DL 3 $100 75

Bosch 34-770B 7 $125 69

EverStart Maxx-78S (South) 4 $90 66

DieHard Gold 50934 (South) 1 $130 66

Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-34 5 $110 62

EverStart Maxx-34N (North) 4 $90 61

Bosch 78-770B 7 $125 61

DieHard 50378 1 $110 60

Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-78 5 $110 55

DieHard Gold 50878 (North) 1 $130 54

Group 24 & 24F car batteries

EverStart MAXX-24FN (North) 4 $85 87

Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24 5 $125 86

EverStart Maxx-24S (South) 4 $80 84

DieHard Gold 50923 (South) 1 $120 78

DieHard 50324 1 $105 67

Bosch 24-700B 7 $115 64

Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-24 5 $105 62

Group 35 car batteries

EverStart MAXX-35N (North) 4 $90 86

Bosch 35-640B 7 $125 85

EverStart Maxx-35S (South) 4 $90 81

Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-35 5 $120 77

Duralast 35-DL 3 $100 69

Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-35 5 $100 61

Plus Start 51235 1 $100 54

DieHard Gold 50935 (South) 1 $130 52

DieHard 50335 1 $110 50

Group 75 car batteries

Interstate MT7-75DT 2 5 $250 95

EverStart Maxx-75S (South) 4 $80 78

Bosch 75-700B 7 $115 71

Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-75 5 $110

EverStart MAXX-75N (North) 4 $80 69

DieHard Gold 50975 (South) 1 $120 68