Battery Explanation

BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS
The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity (RC) rating or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be found on the original equipment battery label. Be certain that a replacement battery has the correct Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH ratings that equal or exceed the original equipment specification for the vehicle being serviced. Battery sizes and ratings are discussed in more detail below.

NOTE: Vehicles equipped with a diesel engine utilize a unique battery. The specifications for this battery may differ from the standards shown here. Refer to the battery manufacturer for detailed specifications.

Group Size - The outside dimensions and terminal placement of the battery conform to standards established by the Battery Council International (BCI). Each battery is assigned a BCI Group Size number to help identify a correctly-sized replacement.

Cold Cranking Amperage - The Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) rating specifies how much current (in amperes) the battery can deliver for thirty seconds at -18° C (0° F). Terminal voltage must not fall below 7.2 volts during or after the thirty second discharge period. The CCA required is generally higher as engine displacement increases, depending also upon the starter current draw requirements.

Reserve Capacity - The Reserve Capacity (RC) rating specifies the time (in minutes) it takes for battery terminal voltage to fall below 10.5 volts, at a discharge rate of 25 amperes. RC is determined with the battery fully-charged at 26.7° C (80° F). This rating estimates how long the battery might last after a charging system failure, under minimum electrical load.

Ampere-Hours - The Ampere-Hours (AH) rating specifies the current (in amperes) that a battery can deliver steadily for twenty hours, with the voltage in the battery not falling below 10.5 volts. This rating is also sometimes identified as the twenty-hour discharge rating.

Load Test Amperage - The Load Test Amperage rating specifies the current (in amperes) that a battery should be tested at with the battery load test equipment. This value should always be 50 percent of the CCA. For example: if the CCA for this battery is 700 amps, the Load Test Amperage is 50 percent of that or 350 amps.


BATTERY CLASSIFICATIONS AND RATINGS

BCI Group Size
Classification
Cold Cranking
Amperage
Reserve Capacity
Ampere - Hours
Load Test
Amperage
H6 600 120 Minutes 70 300
H7/AGM (DIESEL) 700 120 Minutes 75 350

BATTERY REMOVAL
WARNING: To protect the hands from battery acid, a suitable pair of heavy duty rubber gloves should be worn when removing or servicing a battery. Safety glasses also should be worn.

WARNING: Remove metallic jewelry to avoid injury by accidental arcing of battery current.

WARNING: The battery negative and positive cable polarity are different from the gasoline engine equipped vehicles to the diesel engine equipped vehicles. Please note the location of the positive and negative cables prior to service of the battery or related components.

1. Loosen the pinch clamp bolt and disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable (Fig 1) #8.
2. Loosen the pinch clamp bolt and disconnect the battery positive cable (Fig 1) #4.
3. On gasoline engine equipped vehicles, loosen bolt (Fig 2) #2 and remove the retainer #1 that holds the battery #3 down to the tray #4.
4. On diesel engine equipped vehicles, loosen the bolts (2 and 3) and remove the retaining bracket that holds the battery (4) down to the tray (5).
5. Remove the battery from the vehicle.
6. Remove thermal guard (if equipped) from battery.
BATTERY INSTALLATION
1. Install battery into the vehicle making sure that the thermal guard (if equipped) is present and battery is properly positioned on battery tray. On diesel engine equipped vehicles, position the retaining bracket onto the battery (4) and install the bracket bolts (2 and 3). Tighten the bolts to 7 N.m (62 in. lbs.)
2. On gasoline engine equipped vehicles, install the battery hold down retainer (1) and bolt (2) making sure that it is properly positioned on battery (3). Tighten the hold down bolt to 7 N.m (62 in. lbs.)
WARNING: The battery negative and positive cable polarity are different from the gasoline engine equipped vehicles to the diesel engine equipped vehicles. Please note the location of the positive and negative cables prior to service of the battery or related components.

NOTE: Left hand drive gasoline engine shown, left hand drive diesel similar. Right hand drive gasoline and diesel similar with the battery and related components packaged on the left side of the engine compartment.

3. Connect the battery positive cable (4) and tighten the pinch clamp nut to 5 N.m (45 in. lbs.)
4. Connect the battery negative cable (8) and tighten the pinch clamp nut to 5 N.m (45 in. lbs.)
5. Verify proper vehicle operation.