Dumb Car Battery Question

Lindsay Lohan

So...my car battery sucks. It's fine while the vehicle is running - but in the winter it often just can't make the engine turn over. I was going to buy a new battery next week (before it gets super cold) but then my wife's car was declared dead and it has a perfectly good battery in it...so my question is - how can I tell if I can throw her battery in my car?

She is a 99 Ford Contour, I am a 2000 Kia Sephia.

bowen

The size of the battery is the first step. Then it's all input/output voltages. Then it's to make sure the + and - connectors are on the right sides and not reversed.

That's probably how I'd go about it, but I'm no mechanic.

John Matrix

Whenever I buy a new battery at autozone, I have to give them the year, make, model, and engine of the car. Try a quick trip to autozone and ask if they can compare the batteries needed for those two cars. If there's a match, you're in business.

illig

As long as it will fit, and the cranking amperage is the same or higher, you'll be fine.

If it doesn't physically fit, you can modify the battery tray and hold down to fit your new one in a pinch. Just don't try to drive without securing the battery correctly, that's a lot of amperage AND acid in a small package.

November Fifth

One thing to remember: In a cold weather region, you can't really cheat much on the cranking amperage, since the battery loses a lot of its power as the temperature drops.

Lindsay Lohan

Thanks all - I think I'll just give my mechanic a buzz and see what they're opinion is. Given the cars are really similar in size I'm hoping that it will work out (and save me the $80ish).