Originally Posted By: Rolla07
So over the weekend I had AAP run a test on my battery. The result was the following:
Voltage: 12.93 volts
Measured: 436 CCA
Rated: 550 CCA
Temperature: 63 F
Based on their testing they recommend replacing it. Now if the battery still has 436 CCA, it should still work fine shouldn't it? I didn't drive the car for a couple days last week and it was about -5 degrees celsius and it wouldn't start. If it does need replacing as they indicate, would that mean my car uses more than 436 CCA to start up? The reason I wonder, is because some batteries group 35 or others that they say will work have only 500 CCA, so it makes me wonder if I should find the highest CCA available and replace it? What are your thoughts? Would you replace it? The last time I tested it was last year same time, and it tested good. Advice, suggestions and feedback on the results is appreciated!
Assuming the test was done right, that battery is getting weak.
Most good batteries will test at or above their CCA rating easily.
Your battery is at the point where it can cut it most of the time, but you are constantly at risk of it being too weak to start the car.
I used a Midtronics tester/charger on the Wal-Mart battery I had in my truck a week ago. The tester just showed three dashes for the CCA rating...wouldn't even tell me what it tested at. It just said replace battery. My truck was cranking slowly sometimes at that point, but at least 80% of the time it didn't seem to have a problem. Never did have to jump it. I went ahead and put a new Napa Legend (JC) battery in...no slow cranks since.
If your battery is giving any signs of being weak, go ahead and replace it. I'd rather replace the battery before it's totally done for in some parking lot, and making the alternator work harder before it conks out.