The majority of all car batteries sold in the US are manufactured by 3 companies - Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries. Delphi makes some EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries. (wiki answers)
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The 7 best car batteries you can buy:
Car batteries are not all the same. When when looking to buy a car battery you want to make sure you have the correct group size and the correct cold cranking amps for the area you live in. If you do not have enough amps, then your car will not start in the winter. The moment you notice your battery is starting to get weak, have it tested and then start shopping for a new one. Don't wait until you are stranded with a dead battery. There are 3 main companies that produce a range of batteries. Find the best for your car and make sure you always have power.
NAPA batteries are made by East Penn Manufacturing and these are good batteries for the price. There are many different types of batteries available from NAPA and they have excellent ratings. While they are designed to work even in cold temperatures, it can take a little while for the engine to turnover in severely cold temperatures.
DieHard: DieHard batteries are top of the line. They were originally the longest lasting car battery as they lasted longer than your car. Cars last longer today than when the battery was first produced, but it still offers some of the best performance, even in bitterly cold weather. Be aware that DieHard batteries are expensive and not considered a budget or affordable battery. However considering they last so long, you will easily get your money's worth.
Kirkland Signature: This range of car batteries is perhaps one of the most affordable batteries. You sacrifice nothing with this battery, as it has excellent cold amp rankings and great performance. The battery is offered through Costco and the specs match Optima batteries. This is one of your best choices, as the performance and quality is that of a high performance battery, but the price is much less.
Autocraft: Autocraft batteries are good but these are not recommended for areas with harsh winters, as they tend to do best in warmer climates. These batteries are long lasting and were designed to minimize corrosion. There is no resistance and has less warping and shorting due to its siding.
Optima batteries are one of the most expensive of the brands available, but you cannot find better performance rankings. This company mainly produces spiral wound cell batteries and gets some of the best reviews found online and from car part retailers.
EverStart batteries fit into the budget or affordable car battery category. However, the performance is excellent and you get the most for the low car battery price. This is a smaller battery, but performs well in all weathers. It is completely maintenance free. It is only available at Walmart, but don't let this put you off as it is an excellent car battery.
AC Delco is a leading brand and perfect for those that need a battery, but are on a very tight budget. The warranties offered are excellent, as they completely believe in their product. To make it out of the warehouse, the batteries must meet many tests which allow for high quality batteries. These batteries are frequently used by car manufacturers.
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