📖 Car Battery Buying Guide
Everything you need to know about choosing the right car battery in Australia for 2026
Quick Tip
Not sure what battery you need? Take our 2-minute Battery Finder Quiz for personalised recommendations based on your vehicle and driving habits.
🔋 Understanding Battery Types
Standard MF
Maintenance Free- ✓ Most common type
- ✓ Affordable
- ✓ No maintenance needed
- ✗ Not for start-stop cars
Best for: Standard vehicles without start-stop technology
EFB
Enhanced Flooded Battery- ✓ Start-stop compatible
- ✓ Better cycle life
- ✓ Mid-range price
- ✗ Not for heavy accessories
Best for: Vehicles with basic start-stop systems
AGM
Absorbent Glass Mat- ✓ Premium performance
- ✓ Handles heavy electrical loads
- ✓ Longest lifespan
- ✗ Most expensive
Best for: Luxury cars, performance vehicles, heavy accessory use
⚡ Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) Explained
CCA measures a battery's ability to start your engine in cold conditions. It indicates the number of amps a battery can deliver at -18°C for 30 seconds while maintaining at least 7.2 volts.
Recommended CCA by Vehicle Type:
Pro tip: While Australia doesn't get extremely cold, higher CCA batteries often indicate better overall quality and can provide more reliable starts in all conditions.
📏 Finding the Right Battery Size
Batteries come in standardised group sizes. Using the wrong size can cause fitment issues or electrical problems. Here's how to find your correct size:
3 Ways to Find Your Battery Size:
- 1Check your current battery
Look for the group size printed on the label (e.g., NS60, DIN65, N70)
- 2Check your owner's manual
The specifications section will list the recommended battery size
- 3Use a battery finder tool
Enter your vehicle details on retailer websites to find compatible batteries
🔧 Battery Maintenance Tips
✅ Do
- • Keep terminals clean and tight
- • Check battery every 6 months
- • Drive regularly to keep it charged
- • Turn off lights when parked
- • Use a trickle charger if stored
❌ Don't
- • Leave lights on overnight
- • Ignore warning signs
- • Use incorrect battery size
- • Let terminals corrode
- • Wait until it completely dies
⚠️ Signs You Need a New Battery
Engine takes longer than normal to start
Lights appear dimmer than usual
Battery or check engine light on
Battery is past its expected lifespan
Blue/white buildup on terminals
Battery looks bloated or misshapen
Ready to Find Your Perfect Battery?
Use our tools to find the best battery for your vehicle