It's a question that all drivers have to answer sooner or later: What happens if you use the wrong car battery? The answer, unfortunately, is not a simple one.
If you use the wrong car battery, there could be some serious consequences. In this article, we will discuss what happens if you use the wrong car battery and how to avoid making this mistake.
Why Is It Important To Get The Right Battery?
There are a lot of electronic parts in modern cars that need the right battery to work. So, the battery isn't just important for starting the car. It's also very important for all the gadgets and extras. As an example, your anti-theft system could be one of these important electronics. That's something you should always have the power for.
There are a few key reasons why it is so important to get the right battery for your car. First, the wrong battery can cause your car to break down. Second, the wrong battery can damage your car. Third, the wrong battery can cause your car to be unsafe. Finally, the wrong battery can void your warranty. All of these reasons are important, and you should keep them in mind when you are shopping for a new battery.
Battery Specifications
Batteries have different specs that are made to match the car they are made for. This isn't just about how much power they give, because the more accessories your car has running, the higher the specifications of the battery need to be.
It may not be necessary to use the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brand, but it is important to match the recommended size and output.
If you use the wrong size battery, the flow of electrical currents could change. This could cause power surges that could damage the computers or other parts on board.
What’s The Right Battery For My Car?
Before you go out and buy a new car battery, you should first look in the owner's manual to see what the manufacturer of your car recommends for the battery.
Just to let you know, you don't have to use the same brand of battery that came with the car as long as it has the same size and output that the manufacturer recommends.
If you don't have the owner's manual, you can always look at the battery (if it's the original) or use a search engine to find out exactly what your car needs.
Possible Battery Issues
Here are some reasons for battery issues:
Wrong Voltage
If you use a battery with the wrong voltage, trouble could be on the way. The electrical system of the car won't work right, and both the electronics and the battery could be at risk.
Wrong Terminals
There are many different kinds of battery terminals, places for them, and ways to connect them. Some terminals are pretty common, some only work with certain models, and some are just plain strange. Connectivity is the key to finding the right fit.
Wrong Size Of The Battery
If it doesn't fit in the space made for the battery, it might be hard to cover it, strap it in, or even close the hood of the car. The extra vibrations are also hard on the body.
Wrong Battery Capacity
If there isn't enough electricity (amps), it will be hard to even start the car's engine. So that it can do its job well, it will get heavier and cost more.
What If The Battery Is Too Small?
The first obvious problem with using a battery that is too small is that it might not start. If your car's engine needs more power than the battery can provide, you might not be able to start it.
Also, there may not be enough power for your accessories to work, especially when the engine is off. The wrong battery could be drained just by listening to the radio. The air conditioner might not work right, and the headlights might not light up as much as they should. You might find that other parts of the car stop working because they don't have enough power to do their normal jobs.
Also, keep in mind that working in low temperatures can easily drain any battery, but one that isn't strong enough will be especially at risk.
Even in the best of situations, short trips put a lot more stress on the battery than long ones. If the battery is too small, it may not be able to charge enough, which could cause the alternator to overheat and cause long-term damage.
What If The Battery Is Too Large?
Using a battery that is too big can also cause problems. For one thing, it might not fit in the space where your car's battery goes.
If you do manage to fit it, there is always a chance that the terminals will touch other metal parts of the car, which could cause the battery to short-circuit.
Even if the wrong battery fits safely and well, there will be a difference between the output and the demand, which will cause the alternator the same problems as a battery that is too small.
How Does Battery Size Affect Safety?
You will have a whole computer system built into your modern car, and that's not even counting the computing and electrical power needed for the GPS, audio system, and other features. And you need the power from the battery to:
- A sign that the tire pressure is low.
- Safety features
- Cruise control.
- System to stop theft.
- Oil-change signal.
Using the right battery makes it less likely that any of your electronics will break and cost you a lot to fix.
How Does Battery Size Affect Performance?
It's very important to remember that batteries also power the electronic fuel injection system, the alternator, and a lot of other parts of the engine. When the battery is too small, it could put a lot of extra pressure on the other parts of the car, making it run less well.
In fact, your car might not start at all if you have a smaller battery than it needs. This is because there won't be enough amps. Even if you can get it to start, most of the electronics will not work or will only work a little. And the battery will run out of power faster.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of different kinds of batteries out there, and if you don't know much about them, it can be hard to figure out what you need. If you aren't sure about your battery, have a professional check it out and/or replace it. You can get your oil changed at a place like Oil Can Henry's or take your car to a body shop.
It's not easy to match the battery's volts, amps, and size. It's always best to get rid of any doubt and let a pro handle it. You don't want to buy a battery that is too big and has it not fit or fit but causes long-term damage that isn't obvious right away. If you don't know how to replace parts like a battery, you should do yourself a favor and ask for help.