You can’t leave your driveway without a battery. Since the average battery life is three to five years, you’ll have to deal with a bad or faulty battery at least a few times. Let’s say you need to start it one morning. You pop the hood and… what? It’s not there? “Where is my car battery?” is an important question, and the answer may surprise you.
Leading the way
The most common battery placement is indeed under the hood, but it's not the only option. When designing a new car, manufacturers take a variety of factors into consideration when placing the battery. First, with the technological advancements in our cars today, there's sometimes simply not enough room for traditional placement. They also consider overall weight distribution. The battery may not be the heaviest component, but it's not light as a feather either, and every little bit counts in order to balance the weight for optimal performance and control. Placement may also take temperature into consideration. Between the engine and the exhaust manifold, it can get pretty hot under the hood, and heat is the enemy of long battery life.
Positive reinforcement
So where is it located? Honestly, it could be anywhere. Sometimes the battery is still in the front of the car, but buried in the ground. It could be under the wheel, under the floor, in the rear, or even in the trunk. To be sure, consult your owner's manual. Luckily, if you only need a jumper cable, the manufacturer has probably designed an easily accessible jumper connection point, possibly under the hood (again, check your manual for the best information). Of course, if the battery is bad, you may need to remove the wheel or pull up the panel, but that shouldn't be too difficult. Remember to disconnect the negative battery cable first before connecting the cable to the jump start box to avoid disrupting the electronic system.
Negative consequences
There are a few things to note about battery placement, especially if you want to move your battery around or add auxiliary equipment. First, be aware that your battery is confined in a battery box or strapped to a battery tray. These leak-proof containers are necessary in case the battery starts to sweat or otherwise leak electrolyte or acid. It protects nearby components and is an environmental regulation. It is secured in place to minimize vibration – again protecting from damage, but also helping to prolong the battery’s life. The battery must also be placed in a well-ventilated area. If a battery gets hot, overcharges, or starts to corrode and release reactive gases on its surface, it is at risk of exploding, especially if the gases accumulate without ventilation. This rarely happens, but if it does, you don’t want to leave it in the back seat of your car.
Finally, if you’re wondering “Where’s my car battery?” and can’t find it under the hood, don’t panic, it’s nearby. Better to read the manual now and know the exact location before an emergency search.
