Maintenance-free car batteries last longer than other types of batteries. They also recharge faster than other types of car batteries and have a longer shelf life. In general, low-maintenance batteries are cheaper than maintenance-free batteries.
A certain number of cold cranking amps (CCA) produced by a battery are needed to start an engine. All car batteries are rated to produce a certain amount of CCA. It takes between 600 and 700 CCA to start a four-cylinder engine and between 750 and 850 to start an eight-cylinder engine.
Car batteries are housed in sealed or non-sealed casings. In warmer climates, it is recommended that consumers employ non-sealed batteries in their cars. If the casing around a car battery ever gets cracked or damaged, replacing the battery is recommended.