Types of Car Batteries

You don’t put enough thought into your car batteries until it gives out. Then you think about how you just got this battery replaced a few months ago when in reality, it’s been three years. Your car battery does a lot for your car but has two important jobs. It exists mainly to start your car after you’ve turned it off. To start your engine, you need to create a spark to begin the ignition process. Your battery stores this energy to create the spark. The other job that your car battery does is to power the electrical components of your vehicle. This includes your headlights, your cabin lights, your radio, your dashboard, your window control, your mirror alignment and much more.

When your battery dies, you're left with having to buy a new one. But just like every car, all batteries are different. Finding the right brand and size for your car is important, but what a lot of people fail to realize is that there are different types of batteries, and they each perform differently. Here, we help explain to you the difference in the batteries and which one you might prefer. 

Types of Car Batteries

Car batteries typically last around three years. This is when they begin to lose the power that they once had. There are a lot of tell-tale signs that it’s time for a new battery. You can take your battery in for a battery check to see if they need to be replaced. You don’t want them to give up on you when you least expect it. 

Once you’ve decided to buy a new battery, you now must decide what kind of battery you’ll get. There are different types of car batteries, but we’ll discuss the top two types.

Flooded Cells

Flooded cell batteries are the most commonly used batteries. They’re the typical standard that you’ll find in almost every car that exists. These come in a bunch of different shapes and sizes since they’re used in a variety of applications and industries. Flooded batteries use lead plates and a sulfuric acid electrolyte. Flooded batteries are not sealed, so the gasses that are produced from the reactions inside are vented externally. This is what leads to corrosion of the surrounding parts. These batteries also don’t function too well under high vibration environments. Flooded cells require maintenance in the form of water refills. These batteries charge well but require more work. Flooded batteries have very high internal resistance.

Absorbed Glass Matte (AGM) Cells

AGM batteries are the latest in lead-acid batteries. These batteries use a separator that consists of fiberglass. AGM batteries create a physical bond by the way of capillary action. This holds the liquid within the glass, making the battery extremely spill-proof in the event of exposure. These batteries are impact-resistant and have the least internal resistance. This means that the batteries charge much quicker and reduces energy loss through heat. They are also much more resistant to vibration than their flooded counterpart. These batteries are maintenance-free, last longer and don’t corrode your important car parts. While AGM batteries might be more costly, they can do everything that flooded cells can do, just better. They also last much longer than their counterparts.

So Which Battery Do We Recommend?

If you’re looking to not spend a lot of money on a battery, then the flooded cell is the way to go. They’re good quality and do a good job. But if you’re looking for batteries with a longer life and better performance, the AGM Cells are the best option for you. We offer the best batteries at the most affordable price. We also offer professional battery replacement services. If you’re scared to drop a large amount of money on a battery, Milstead Automotive in Spring, TX offers special financing through the Bosch Service Credit Card. Visit our store near you today and learn more.