Finding auto parts for my 4-wheel drive

As a vehicle owner, you may know that your car's or truck's battery operates the starter, so without a strong battery under the hood, the engine may struggle to turn over, especially on cold winter days. However, many other vehicle parts are also powered by the battery, including the fuel pump, thermostat, and so on. Without a strong battery, the thermostat may not read the engine temperature properly and the vehicle could then overheat, or the fuel pump might not provide enough fuel to the engine, and it then sputters, among other problems your vehicle might experience. Because a high-quality battery is so important for your vehicle, note some quick terminology that might make shopping for a new battery easier for you.

Deep-cycle battery

A deep-cycle battery is meant to provide a higher discharge of power over a long period of time. This is the type of battery you need if your vehicle has upgraded or additional electrical components that would otherwise drain a battery while you're on the road; for example, if you've added fog lights or a turbo booster, these types of parts will consistently drain the battery. Investing in a deep-cycle battery will mean that these added electrical parts always get the power they need while the vehicle is in operation.

Note, however, that a deep-cycle battery is different than a battery with higher cold cranking amps, or CCA. Higher CCA will give the battery more power when you start the vehicle in colder temperatures, but this added power, or amperes, is short-lived. Never assume that a battery with higher cold cranking amps will keep providing added power while the vehicle is in operation, but invest in a deep-cycle battery if you need that added electrical power while driving.

Primary battery; secondary battery

A primary battery cannot be recharged, whereas a secondary battery can be recharged. A primary battery may sometimes be cheaper, as it's meant to be used up and then discarded. However, this can mean more costs for vehicles batteries over time. A secondary battery may be more expensive, but being able to recharge it means it will have a longer lifespan. Note, too, that a secondary battery may be a good choice in very cold or overly warm environments, as these extremes in temperature can easily drain a battery. Being able to recharge a secondary battery if it should die, or keeping it hooked to a recharger overnight, can mean less risk of being stuck with a vehicle that won't start because of a dead battery.