What are Cold Cranking Amps?

When you turn the key in your car on a cold winter morning and it won't start, you may start to look at an important parameter in the battery specification - Cold Cranking Amps, a key measure of an automotive battery's ability to start at low temperatures. It indicates the maximum current value that the battery can sustain for 30 seconds at 0°F (-18°C).

Cold cranking amps is a key indicator of a car battery's starting performance in cold environments.

Typical sedans have CCA ratings between 350 and 600 amps, while larger diesel-engined vehicles may require cold cranking amps of 800 amps or more. choosing a CCA rating that meets the engine's requirements is critical for vehicle owners living in cold regions, long-distance truck drivers, and professionals who need to ensure their vehicles start reliably. A properly configured cold cranking amps not only ensures that your vehicle will start properly in cold weather, but also avoids the inconvenience and potential dangers of a failed start.

What Are Cold Cranking Amps?

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is more than just a simple numerical value, it actually reflects a complete testing process: the battery needs to maintain a voltage output of at least 7.2 volts for 30 seconds at the harsh conditions of 0°F (-18°C), and it must also be ensured that each cell cell maintains at least 1.2 volts of voltage.

Common automotive batteries on the market typically have CCA ratings ranging from 350 to 1,000, with smaller cars typically in the 350-600 CCA range, while larger diesel-engine vehicles may require 700-1,000 CCA to ensure reliable starting.

How Important Are Cold Cranking Amps?

The reason CCA is so important is because it is directly related to the engine starting process. As the temperature drops, the oil becomes viscous and the frictional resistance of internal engine parts increases, while the chemical reaction rate of the battery is significantly reduced. In this case, starting the engine requires a much higher current than at room temperature. If the CCA of the battery is insufficient, a weak starting sound of “clicking” may occur, or even a complete failure to start may occur. CCA is even more important for diesel engines, which require more force to compress the air to reach the temperature and pressure needed to ignite the diesel fuel.

If you can't get CCA information from battery labels or manuals, you can make empirical judgments in a few ways: first, check the physical size of the battery, usually the larger the battery, the higher the CCA value; second, look at the weight of the battery, as heavier batteries of the same size tend to imply that more lead plates are used internally, which usually corresponds to higher CCA values; and lastly. You can refer to the CCA range recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, which is usually labeled in the engine compartment or in the owner's manual as the recommended battery CCA value. However, this empirical judgment is for reference only. To ensure safety and performance, it is best to choose a regular brand of battery with clearly labeled CCA values.

CCA vs CA vs MCA: What's the Difference

When shopping for a battery, consumers may encounter the similar but different parameters of CCA, CA (Cranking Amps) and MCA (Marine Cranking Amps.) The CA value is the starting current measured at 32°F (0°C), and is typically 20-25% higher than the CCA value for the same battery due to the higher test temperature. In contrast, MCA (sometimes called MCA/CA) is usually equivalent to CA and is primarily used for marine battery labeling. It is important to note that different manufacturers may use different test standards, so when comparing battery performance, be sure to use values from the same standard for comparison.

Specification	CCA	CA	MCA
Definition	Starts engine at 0°F (-18°C) for 30 seconds	Starts engine at 32°F (0°C) for 30 seconds	Similar to CA, but for marine environments
Temperature for Testing	0°F（-18℃）	32°F （0℃）	32°F （0℃）
Voltage Maintenance	7.2 volts minimum	7.2 volts minimum	7.2 volts minimum
Use Case	Cold-weather automotive batteries	Automotive in milder climates	Marine/boat batteries
Typical Rating Range	300-1000 CCA	400-1000 CA	400-1000 MCA
Cold-Weather Performance	Best for cold starts in freezing weather	Less reliable in cold starts	Suitable for marine cold starts
Engine Compatibility	Ideal for high-compression engines	Best for lighter engines	Designed for boat engines in cold waters

Is Higher Cold Cranking Amps Better?

When it comes to Cold Cranking Amps, many car owners may think “the higher the number the better,” but that's not entirely true. Choosing the right CCA value is like choosing the right size shoe for your car - it needs to be just right. Too high a CCA value means more starting power, but it also comes with higher costs and unnecessary weight gain. More importantly, you need to choose a CCA value based on the specific requirements of your vehicle - you should refer to the range recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, consider the climatic conditions in your area, and the environment in which the vehicle will be used. For example, for a small car used in a temperate climate zone, choosing a 400-500 CCA battery may be sufficient, while for a diesel truck traveling in a harsh cold region, even a 900 CCA battery is reasonable. Blindly pursuing higher CCA values will not only result in economic waste, but may also cause installation problems due to inappropriate battery size.

How Much CCA should a battery have?

Variable elements like the kind of automobile, its engine capacity, and the climate that the vehicle will serve determine the extent of CCA required. Basically, vehicle makers usually give an ideal CCA score for the battery in the user manual which is usually between 400 and 600 sometimes above 600CCA. Here’s a quick breakdown of how much CCA you might need based on your vehicle type:

1. CCA for Cars

To most passenger cars, a battery with a CCA value of 500-600 Amps is usually adequate for moderate climates. In cooler climates, the recommended CCA levels for battery are at 700 – 800 CCA’s for better starting. Thus, the devices with more load need a higher CCA rating, the devices with larger engines, or the vehicles that have more electrical requirements.

2. CCA for Trucks

Trucks particularly diesel engines need higher CCA due to the larger engine size and the necessity of the higher cranking currents. Standard gas-powered trucks might require batteries with CCA ratings of 650-750; diesel trucks require batteries with 800 CCA or more.

3. CCA for Boats

Engines need CCA and boats, especially those operating in cold climates, depend on it to start the engine. Boat batteries might have MCA – Marine Cranking Amps, but that does not mean that the CCA is not relevant for people who live in cold regions. The CCA requirements depend on the size of the engine of the boat in that it may take 600-1000 CCA or even more.

Choose the Right Battery for your vehicle at Renogy

For RV enthusiasts, having sufficient cold cranking amps isn't just a specification – it's your ticket to worry-free winter adventures. Take it from the countless campers who've found themselves in remote snow-covered sites, where a battery's cold cranking ability makes the difference between a smooth morning start and a frigid wait for help. This is where Renogy's Core Mini 12.8V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery excels.

Beyond just providing reliable cold cranking amps, this compact powerhouse revolutionizes the RV battery experience with its space-saving design – perfect for teardrop trailers and smaller RVs where every inch counts. Built with premium EV-grade cells and intelligent low-temperature protection, it delivers consistent cold-weather starting power that traditional batteries struggle to match. With an impressive 5000-cycle lifespan, you won't have to compromise between powerful cold cranking performance and long-term reliability. Whether you're waking up to frost-covered windows in the mountains or starting your engine in subzero temperatures, the Core Mini ensures you're always ready to move on to your next adventure.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the cold cranking amps (CCA) remain another critical characteristic that defines the ability of the battery at a low temperature. A battery with more CCA will deliver more cranking power and more than capable of starting a vehicle in sub-zero temperatures. But this must be a battery with the right CCA capacity depending on the car type and size of the engine and climate in your region. It is advisable always to go to your vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines, and don’t shy away from seeking professional help to gain a better understanding of what battery will suit the car best.

Cold Cranking Amps FAQs

1. Does a Battery's Cold Cranking Amps Decrease Over Time?

Indeed, a battery’s CCA may drop over time due to the wear out of the battery. In the course of time, the chemical process in the battery comes to decline and the battery loses its overall capacity. A battery with less CCA can fail to crank the engine most importantly during the cold season or region.

2. What is Considered to Be a Good CCA Rating for a Battery?

The result of the CCA rating varies with the type of vehicle and the climate conditions of the environment. What the ideal CCA rating for most cars is It is recommended to keep the CCA rating of most cars within 600-800. For trucks and large vehicles, a recommended CCA rating range starts at 800-1000 or even higher.

3. Are 800 cold-cranking amps good?

Yes, 800 CCA is a decent rating for most of the cars, particularly those meant for the cold climate regions. On the other hand, it guarantees that your car will start on the first try during the coldest of winters. Then there are trucks and heavy vehicles requiring high electrical power would require anything from 800 and higher CCA.