What Size Battery For My Truck?

What size battery fits my truck? If you're asking that question right now because you need to replace a battery in your truck, head over to this page and plug in the year, make, model of your truck to find the right battery. Some of you may see several different sizes that will fit your truck. For instance, many Toyota Tundra trucks can use either Group 35 or Group 27 batteries. What's the difference between those batteries? The physical dimensions of the batteries are significantly different, with Group 27 batteries being physically larger in almost every regard. As a result, the larger Group 27 battery will offer more cranking amps, more reserve capacity and a larger price tag.

Another option for finding out what size battery fits your truck is to look at the battery currently installed in your truck. Somewhere on the label, you'll typically find a specification that indicates the size of your battery. On OPTIMA Batteries, this can be found in the area listed as "Model No." Many truck battery group sizes will have names like D27F, D35, D34/78, H6 or H7. Those batteries may all differ in their length, width and height, so if you decide to use a different battery size than the one that came with the truck from the manufacturer, make sure it fits in the space allocated for the battery and doesn't have any clearance issues, especially with the underside of the hood. We sometimes use balls of clay in our fitment studies, to make sure batteries with terminals on top of the battery don't come in contact with the underside of the hood, when the hood is closed. You should also make sure your battery is held securely in place and not secured only by the battery cables. Battery hold downs may clamp down on the base of the battery or over the top of the battery to keep the battery from moving around while the truck is in motion.

So if several different battery group sizes can fit in your truck, which one should you choose? It probably depends on which engine your truck has and how you use your truck. A 4.0-liter V6 is a smaller engine than a 5.7-liter V8, so it's typically easier to start a smaller engine, than a larger one. If you use your truck has a smaller engine and you use it primarily for commuting in a temperate climate, like San Diego, you may be able to use a smaller battery, like the Group 35 REDTOP OPTIMA battery. If your truck has a larger V8, spends most of it's time in one of the Northern states, has significant electrical accessories, like a car alarm, winch, snowplow or aftermarket audio, then a larger, D27F YELLOWTOP OPTIMA might be a better option for your truck.

Many battery advertisements will brag about how many cold cranking amps a given battery can deliver. Cold Cranking Amps (or CCA) are measured by determining how much current a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0°F, while still maintaining at least 7.2 volts. Sometimes you may even find these advertisements in parts of the country that never get anywhere near 0°F, like Florida or Louisiana. Should you choose a battery that has a really high rating for cold cranking amps? Only if you think it's really necessary, based on where you live and how you use your vehicle. Otherwise, select a battery that meets or exceeds the manufacturer's recommendation for your truck.

Once you have your new battery, make sure you keep it properly-charged. Most batteries are not fully-charged until voltage is at least 12.6 volts. We're so confident proper voltage maintenance will improve battery performance and lifespan, we'll add an additional year of free warranty replacement coverage to your OPTIMA Battery, if you purchase your battery and an OPTIMA Digital 1200 battery charger from us at the same time!