No car will get far without a battery, and usually one that’s in tip-top condition at that. But, if your battery has lost its spark and needs changing, you’ll need to know exactly which one will work in your make and model of car. We’ve already covered BMWs, so now it’s time to explain which battery you should choose for your Ford and how to replace the old one.
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What Type Of Battery Does A Ford Use?
Certain Fords use Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries or an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB). Both of these battery types are used in vehicles with ‘start-stop technology’ but can be used in cars with more traditional ignition methods, too.
AGM batteries are a variant of gel batteries that are made up of a glass fibre mesh which holds the lead-acid concoctions that’s inside most vehicle power devices. The design means that the liquid can’t easily leak, while it also provides a higher charge than many other types of battery.
EFBs are an improved type of flooded battery, though they’re not as effective at their job as an AGM. When compared with standard wet-flooded devices, their charge is superior and can get your engine started more than double the amount of times of a standard WFB throughout its life.
Do Different Models Of Ford Need Different Batteries?
As with all car makes, different models will indeed need different batteries. Not only is this down to the physical size of the vehicle’s engine bay, the type of battery required is also dependent on the power required. Modern cars will have hundreds, if not thousands, of electrical components that run off the battery, so these vehicles will have a larger demand for power. Therefore, some less powerful batteries might not cut the mustard.
What Happens If You Put The Wrong Battery In A Ford?
Using the wrong battery could result in either a lack of power being supplied to the car which, if you can even get the engine running, could mean that it’ll die on you before you even put it in gear.
Alternatively, you could go the other way and install a battery that provides too much power and end up short-circuiting your car with a voltage that it simply can’t handle. Either way, you’re not going to get very far with the wrong kind of battery in your Ford so it’s very important to ensure you’ve picked out the correct type.
Can I Replace My Ford’s Battery Myself?
Of course! Replacing a car battery can be tricky, and if you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, there’s no shame in going to a professional mechanic to have them switch it for you. However, with the right instructions and a bit of confidence, you should be able to manage it on your own and save yourself a few quid. Read on for a step-by-step guide to replacing the battery in your Ford.
How Many Years Do Ford Batteries Last?
Typically Ford batteries can last between four to seven years, but don’t be too surprised if you manage to eke a bit more time out of yours. It is, after all, impossible to say exactly when each battery will die.
Ironically, batteries tend to have their lives extended by being used more often, unlike every other part of your Ford which will deteriorate more quickly if you’re putting it to use more than the average driver.
How To Find The Right Battery For Your Ford
These days, finding out which battery fits your Ford is easy. All you need to do is visit the shop or website of your preferred car part retailer and they’ll be able to tell you, almost instantly, which battery to buy. This is done by taking your vehicle registration to quickly gather all of the information about your model of Ford and matching it up to their database of available batteries.
If you’d prefer to do things the slightly more old fashioned way, you can look for the OEM number on the battery itself (provided it’s the factory default) or manually gather the details of the device that’s already in your car, then take that information to the shop where they can source a battery matching your specifications.
How To Replace Your Ford Battery
Now, allow us to explain how to change the battery in your Ford with step-by-step instructions:
- Turn the car off and take out the key. Locate the battery.
- Disconnect the terminals, starting with negative before moving onto positive. Remove the cables.
- Remove the bolts holding the brackets in place, then take off the brackets themselves.
- Take the battery out of the car.
- Repeat the process in reverse to install the new battery.
What Shortens Your Car Battery’s Life?
As we mentioned above, there’s an ironic twist on what you’d typically expect from car parts and their lifespan when it comes to batteries. Using them less often, for example by leaving the car sitting on your driveway unused for lengthy periods of time, can actually damage the battery and reduce its lifespan.
Other factors that can impact how long your battery lasts include the circumstances of your drives. If the device is not properly secured and has a rough ride every time you’re on the road, shaking and vibrating, then it could damage it and wear it out sooner rather than later.
Extreme weather conditions can also impact your battery. Incidentally, fully electric vehicles are notorious for struggling in colder weather, with their driving range suffering massively. A similar thing, on a smaller scale, happens with regular fueled vehicle’s batteries.
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