CCA

📖 YOUCANIC Automotive Glossary

CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is the industry-standard rating for a battery’s ability to deliver current in cold conditions — specifically, the number of amps a fully charged 12V battery can deliver at 0°F (-18°C) for 30 seconds while maintaining at least 7.2 volts (1.2V per cell). CCA is the most commonly used battery rating in North America because cold weather is the most demanding condition for starting an engine — cold temperatures increase oil viscosity (making the engine harder to turn) while simultaneously reducing the battery’s chemical reaction rate (reducing available power).

When replacing a battery, always match or exceed the original CCA rating specified by the vehicle manufacturer. A battery with insufficient CCA will struggle to start the engine in cold weather, even if it tests fine in warm conditions. The CCA rating is printed on the battery label. For vehicles with intelligent charging systems that require battery registration (BRT), the CCA or capacity value may need to be entered into the scanner during the registration process. Battery testers and some scanners can measure actual CCA versus rated CCA to determine battery condition — a battery delivering significantly less than its rated CCA needs replacement.