Beyond the Lead: Exploring Battery Options for Your Ride

If you’re in the market for a battery for your vehicle, you may have heard of the three main types: Flooded Lead Acid (FLA), Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB), and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM). All three types utilize lead plates and an acid electrolyte to store and release energy. However, each is unique in its design. So, what are the differences between these batteries?

What Are the Different Types of Batteries?

Flooded Lead Acid batteries are the most common type of car battery and have existed for many years. These represent the most straightforward, affordable design: a series of lead alloy plates suspended in a liquid electrolyte. The average lifespan of these batteries is 3 to 5 years.

Enhanced Flooded Batteries are a newer type of battery designed to handle the demands of Start/Stop vehicle technology. EFBs utilize a different lead alloy and liquid electrolyte composition that helps them sustain repeated starts and accept recharging faster than FLA batteries.

Absorbent Glass Mat batteries have a fiberglass mat wrapped around the plates that absorb the liquid electrolyte. This design has several advantages, including resistance to vibration, no off-gassing, better tolerance for temperature extremes, and longer service life. AGMs are the most expensive type of battery available today.

Which Battery Is Best for Your Vehicle?

It’s always best to use the battery your car manufacturer recommends for your vehicle's year, make and model. If your vehicle had an AGM battery when it was new, it must be replaced with an AGM battery. If your vehicle comes with an EFB, it can be replaced with another EFB or an AGM if it meets the manufacturer's CCA specifications. If your vehicle came with an FLA battery, it should be replaced with an FLA-type battery. You could install an EFB or AGM if your vehicle has increased electrical demands.

Lead acid batteries are inexpensive and easy to find but have a shorter lifespan than EFBs or AGMs. They're also less resistant to vibration and extreme temperatures and more susceptible to leaks. EFB batteries are more expensive than lead-acid batteries but have a longer lifespan. They're more resistant to vibration and extreme temperatures and less susceptible to leaks. AGM batteries are the most expensive of the three types of batteries but have the most extended lifespan. They're the most resistant to vibration and extreme temperatures and are entirely sealed and leakproof.

Ultimately, the best type of battery for you will depend on your individual needs and vehicle. A lead acid battery is a good choice if you're looking for the most affordable option. But if you need a battery with a longer lifespan and better resistance to vibration and extreme temperatures, an EFB or AGM battery may be a better fit.

AAA offers Mobile Battery Service to its Members to remove any battery fitment guesswork and provide FREE testing of your vehicle's battery, starting, and charging systems. Visit AAA.com/Battery for more info and to request mobile battery service.