NAPA Know How: How to Choose the Right Off-Road BatteryNAPA Know How Blog

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Choosing the right off-road battery can mean the difference between making it home at the end of a long day on the trail and having to hike back to civilization to find a jump-start. Depending on how or what you’re driving, a standard automotive battery may not be powerful enough for the number of accessories being used on your rig and its lighting demands.

How can you make the best battery decision for your truck or SUV? Let’s take a look at the best options.

Take Stock of Your Setup

The factory battery in your vehicle was designed to handle the specific demands of its stock lighting, heating, cooling and engine systems. Once you add accessories that pull extra power, you need to reevaluate whether your existing alternator and battery setup are still up to the task or if you need to switch to a larger off-road battery system.

Some examples of equipment that can punish your vehicle’s electricals include winches, auxiliary lighting, air compressors and stereo systems. If you’re running one or more of these, check to see if your existing battery can withstand the cumulative load.

Double Up or New Tech?

A common choice for off-roaders seeking additional battery life is to add a second 12-volt battery to the mix. This works fine as long as you have the space under the hood or in the cargo area to mount a second unit that’s protected from potential damage.

Modern trail drivers might find a better option with advanced battery tech. Instead of doubling up, you can use a traditional, sealed lead-acid battery that’s designed to produce deep cycle power that can withstand a heavy load.

An even better option for an off-road battery is to select an absorbed glass mat design. AGM batteries are sealed, so they won’t spill if your vehicle tips sideways or sits at an extreme angle on a hill. They are often smaller than similarly powerful lead-acid batteries and offer better resistance to the vibrations you encounter on a rough trail.

Remember: Choosing the right battery is a combination of understanding your needs, finding an option that fits your budget and making sure that your choice is compatible with the space and connections your vehicle has for mounting a battery. Just as you’ve modified your truck to handle rougher conditions than the factory intended, so too can you upgrade your electrical system to deal with whatever adventure might be thrown your way.

Check out all the batteries available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on off-road batteries, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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NAPA Know How: What Kind Of Truck Oil Should I Put In My Pickup?NAPA Know How Blog

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Truck oil plays a key role in the performance of your pickup. It dissipates heat, keeps the engine lubricated, and shields it from damage. Choosing the right type of oil can do a great deal to preserve the life of your truck’s engine.

The two main types of truck oil are conventional and synthetic. What kind of oil should you use in your truck? Let’s take a look at what each type of oil has to offer.

The Scoop on Conventional Motor Oil

Made using crude oil, conventional motor oil has been in existence almost since the dawn of the combustion engine. Because of its crude-oil base, this type of oil comes with a certain level of inherent impurities, and this can compromise the way in which your engine performs. However, additives are available that can mitigate the effects of these impurities, thus improving engine performance.

The biggest advantage offered by conventional truck oil is cost. It’s significantly cheaper than synthetic oil.

Conventional oil may be perfectly acceptable in a hatchback, coupe, or sedan. However, if you have a truck that’s used for towing, this type of oil is less effective than synthetic oil at providing the protection needed to keep the engine safe and sound.

The Skinny on Synthetic Motor Oil

Synthetic motor oil is made from raw materials such as mineral oil. This oil first hit the scene right after World War II, and it’s experienced an upswing in popularity over the past few years. Synthetic oil doesn’t have as many impurities as conventional oil, and this brings performance advantages. It’s able to withstand higher temperatures than conventional oil, and this allows it to last longer.

Towing can be hard on an engine, and conventional oil can fall short of delivering adequate performance in this situation. Synthetic oil offers the necessary protection for engines that are tasked with towing heavy loads.

This type of oil has the goods to deliver solid protection in vehicles that are being driven in extreme heat. Synthetic oil also fares well when it’s frigid outside. In cold temperatures, this type of oil flows better than conventional oil, and this can reduce engine wear. Additionally, synthetic oil does a better job than conventional oil of diminishing engine friction, and this can lead to better gas mileage.

If you’re using additives to reduce sludge buildup in your truck’s engine, they’ll last longer when used with synthetic motor oil. That’s because this type of oil doesn’t break down as quickly as conventional motor oil.

Synthetic motor oil can be more expensive than conventional oil. However, if you have a truck, it’s worth the investment. This type of oil provides the protection needed by your pickup’s engine during towing. It may also help you optimize your truck’s fuel economy.

Summing Up

The type of motor oil that’s best for your vehicle will depend on the demands placed on its engine. For a pickup that faces challenges such as towing, synthetic truck oil is the way to go.

Check out all the maintenance parts available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on motor oil for your truck, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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