The temperature outside has dropped and your Chevrolet Niva battery is no longer so willing to turn the starter? Well, it's time to change it. I am sure that most of you do not know how to choose it and, at best, will look under the hood to see what is there? And he will immediately go to the store to consult with the manager, who in 90 cases out of 100 also does not understand anything about batteries and will select it based on formal criteria. And you will buy something in the middle price range - some battery of a well-known brand or what they recommend. That’s it, you’ll close the question until the next battery replacement, which may well take place in a year or two if the choice was not very successful. If your city is warm all year round, then this can be done. But what if not?
How to choose a Niva Chevrolet battery
To choose the right Chevrolet Niva battery, you need to know a few simple things, as well as dispel some warnings that exist among car enthusiasts. It’s better to write down these points on a piece of paper and go to the store with it.
Let's start with a simple thing: if the battery is not replaced with exactly the same one, then the first thing you need to know about replacing it is its polarity. Simply place the battery facing you so that the terminals are on the side closest to you. If the plus is on the left, then you need a battery with straight polarity. If the battery positive is on the right, the polarity is reversed.
Help: Niva's battery has straight polarity.
Then measure the length, width and height of the old battery, as well as the length, width and height of the Niva's battery compartment.
Reference: the dimensions of the base for the battery on the Chevrolet Niva are 242x175 mm.
That is, the maximum size of the battery that will fit in place of the old one. These dimensions will be needed to select the capacity of the new battery. If the battery case is secured on top with a strap, and the terminals protrude above the battery case, then this is an Asian type of case. If the battery is attached with its protrusion at the bottom and the terminals are recessed into the housing, this is a European type. Batteries may also differ in terminal diameter. Thinner terminals are Japanese type, thicker ones are European.
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Now open the Chevrolet Niva operating manual and write down recommendations on the type of battery, its capacity and starting current.
Help: Chevrolet Niva is equipped with a standard AKOM Standard battery with a capacity of 55 A/h and a starting current of 425 A.
Now that you know what it was, what size it was and what characteristics it had, you should decide on the type of battery to purchase. There is no clear classification of batteries. Different sources classify them differently, but we will look at the main differences.
Which one is better to put
On the Internet, we were unable to find a clear answer to the question of which battery is best to install in a Chevrolet Niva if it is not possible to purchase the recommended model. Therefore, we analyzed information from users from numerous forums and, based on it, compiled a table that is designed to help you choose the optimal energy source. At the same time, we paid more attention to the polarity of the battery than to what brand it was.
| Appearance | Name | Weight, kg) | Manufacturer country | Capacity ( Ah) | Starting current at -18 °C (A) | Polarity | Dimensions (mm) | Voltage (V) | Type | Where can I buy |
| Forse 6CT-60VL LB | 16,5 | Russia | 60 | 640 | Straight | 242×175×175 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| Dominator 6CT-60VL | 16,5 | Russia | 60 | 600 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| FB 6CT-60VL | 16,5 | Russia | 60 | 540 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| FireBall 6CT-60N | 16,5 | Russia | 60 | 480 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| Moratti 60 Ah | 15 | Slovenia | 60 | 600 | Straight | 242×175×175 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| Tornado 6CT-60VL | 16,5 | Russia | 60 | 450 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| UNO 6CT-60N | 15 | Russia | 60 | 480 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| Beast 60 Ah 650 A | 16,4 | Russia | 60 | 650 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| TYUMEN 60 Ah 520A R | 16,1 | Russia | 60 | 520 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market | |
| Black Horse 6CT 60 Ah | 13,8 | Slovenia | 60 | 510 | Straight | 242x175x190 | 12 | Maintenance free | Ya.Market |
Why did we choose these particular models? Firstly, the listed batteries meet the requirements. Secondly, they are affordable. Estimated prices at the end of 2022 looked like this:
| Name | Price |
| Forse 6CT-60VL LB | 5,000 rub. |
| Dominator 6CT-60VL | RUB 3,800 |
| FB 6CT-60VL | RUB 3,900 |
| FireBall 6CT-60N | 3,200 rub. |
| Moratti 60 Ah | 4,700 rub. |
| Tornado 6CT-60VL | 3,100 rub. |
| UNO 6CT-60N | 3,200 rub. |
| Beast 60 Ah 650 A | RUB 4,350 |
| TYUMEN 60 Ah 520A R | RUB 2,950 |
| Black Horse 6CT 60 Ah | RUB 4,750 |
The information provided will be enough for an error-free choice of battery for the Chevrolet Niva.
Types of batteries for Chevrolet Niva
Classic battery type
They are also called acid, acid-lead, lead. These include surmyany and low surmyany. Sometimes they are separated into separate groups, but from a consumer point of view this is not necessary. These are the cheapest batteries that are used on gasoline, mainly carburetor engines.
Such batteries discharge quickly, produce low current and require maintenance more often. The advantages are the low price and the ability to withstand deep discharge. Therefore, on simple and old cars where current leaks are possible, such a battery is even recommended. The cost of such batteries is from 2,000 to 3,000 rubles.
Calcium batteries
They are sometimes referred to as lead-acid batteries. Only instead of antimony they add calcium. These are more expensive batteries, often with silver fusion. They are durable, produce a higher starting current, but there are also disadvantages: three to four deep discharges can kill this battery.
Hybrid batteries
They have average inrush current and capacity ratings, but they can withstand deep discharge. Therefore, a short alarm or a light that is not turned off will not bury this type of battery.
Gel or AGM batteries
These batteries have a gel instead of electrolyte that does not boil away or spill out. There is no need to maintain such batteries; they are resistant to vibration and can withstand deep discharge. These are some of the most expensive batteries.
Also interesting: How to start a Niva if the battery is dead (5 ways)
New type of batteries
It is worth dwelling on a new type of battery, which appeared relatively recently and bears the abbreviation EFB. This is an improved lead-acid battery technology that contains longer-lasting, thicker plates and less electrolyte. Such batteries are not inferior in their characteristics to more expensive gel batteries, work well in cold weather, are durable and are more affordable than gel batteries. All this allows us to recommend this particular type of battery for the Chevrolet Niva. The price of the battery ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 rubles.
Offered range
Various manufacturers are ready to offer an impressive range of batteries that are suitable for a Chevrolet Niva car.
These are mainly domestic brands. But Chinese, some European and Korean battery manufacturers are also popular.
If we talk about the types of batteries for the Chevrolet Niva, then there are several options:
- Serviced. Classic WET batteries. The cheapest, but also the most short-lived. Technical and operational characteristics are questionable.
- Low maintenance. The design includes a special lid that protects against rapid liquid consumption, returning it in the form of condensate back to the jars. Can serve up to 5 years. You will have to service it periodically.
- Hybrid. Chevrolet Niva is not popular among car owners because it is quite expensive. In the manufacture of plates, lead is used, coated with antimony and calcium. They are not afraid of deep discharge and rarely require topping up water.
- Maintenance free. There is no need to check the level and density of the electrolyte; there is no need to add distilled water. But such batteries are the most expensive. They are not purchased on Niva very often.
Practice shows that the main attention among owners of a domestic crossover, or even an SUV, is paid to low-maintenance batteries. Some people remain faithful to serviced batteries, others decide to spend more money, but immediately buy a good maintenance-free battery.
Selecting a battery by characteristics
Pay attention to the battery with the highest starting current. In any case, the starting current should not be less than 450 amperes for small cars. It is better if this figure is closer to 600 amperes for more powerful gasoline engines and 700 - 800 amperes for diesel engines. Alternatively, use the car manufacturer's recommendations and add 10% to the starting current in case of starting in severe frosts. When choosing a battery capacity, also rely on the manufacturer’s recommendations. In this case, take the recommended parameters as minimum, choosing, if possible, a capacity 10–20% higher. The main thing is that the installation space in the car allows, the dimensions of which you took in advance. The last thing to pay attention to is the warranty and release date of the battery. Do not purchase batteries that have a warranty of less than 18 months and a release date that is more than 6 months prior to the date of purchase.
Good to know: to prevent the battery terminals from oxidizing, before putting the terminals on they are coated with grease or graphite lubricant.
Self-replacement of the battery: removal and installation
To replace you will need: a slotted screwdriver, a pair of rubber gloves, keys 10 and 13, technical Vaseline. The procedure for removing and replacing the battery is as follows:
- Lock the rear wheels with the parking brake and open the hood.
- Use a screwdriver to pry the latches on the plugs covering the terminals and open them.
- Put on gloves and use a 10mm wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal and remove it.
Repeat the same with the positive terminal. - Using a size 13 wrench, unscrew the 2 nuts securing the retaining bar and remove the latter.
- Remove the battery.
- Inspect the installation location. If necessary, remove the ties, remove the pan and replace broken parts.
- Install a new battery.
- Secure the bar and connect the battery to the on-board network, having previously lubricated the contacts with technical petroleum jelly.
Replacement video
Myths about batteries
Now about the prejudices that were mentioned at the beginning of the article.
Myth 1. You should not take a battery with a larger capacity, as it will constantly be undercharged, and with a smaller capacity it will overheat and even boil.
It is not true. A larger battery capacity will only require more charging time. You charge different smartphones with the same charger - it’s just that small ones charge faster, and larger ones charge slower. People are even experimenting with installing two batteries on a Chevrolet Niva - to do this, you need to replace the factory air filter with a zero-resistance filter, as in the photo below.
Also interesting: Chevrolet Niva camshaft sensor
Myth 2. High starting current from the battery can burn the starter.
This is again a misconception. A good starting current will allow you to confidently start the engine in winter, when the starter under load consumes much more than in summer. And the starter itself will not take more current than it needs.
Charger
Charging the battery for Chevrolet Niva cars deserves special attention.
There are no fundamental differences here, but it is important to understand that only through properly performed charging can you replenish lost characteristics, cope with the problem of sulfation, and also keep the battery in working condition throughout its entire operational life.
The battery is recharged with a direct current rated at 10% of the battery capacity.
In the case of a severely discharged battery, or if you want to restore the battery as much as possible, it is better to charge it with a current of 2.5–5% of the capacity. This will take more time, but the results will be higher.
It is recommended to use automatic chargers.
Rating of the best batteries for Chevrolet Niva
- BEAST – has the title of Best Russian Battery
- Tyumen Bear - proven by time and drivers
- Varta Black Dynamic – European quality and reliability
- Bosch S3 is a trusted manufacturer, beware of fakes
- Start Extreme Ultra – loved by many VAZ owners
In conclusion, let us remind you that if there is no money for a new Chevrolet Niva battery, and the old one has failed, and it’s freezing outside, then you can try to start it in five ways with an old discharged battery.
Technical component
It is advisable to buy a battery with a high starting current. At least for Niva, this figure should not be lower than 425 A, but preferably higher. For example, the recommended AKOM with this indicator is difficult to start the engine of a Russian SUV at ambient temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is advisable to use the 450-amp option. More is also undesirable, since the Niva’s on-board network is oriented at 55 A/h, so large (capacitive) batteries will not be able to be fully charged, which will lead to malfunctions of the generator and starter.
Top 10. Kainar 6ST-60
High build quality, the latest technology and good retail presence provide Kainar batteries with stable demand among owners of domestic car brands, including the Chevrolet Niva. Many users consider this battery a worthy replacement for the original and leave many positive reviews. Opinions differ only on the issue of the performance of this battery in the most severe frost conditions. An additional advantage of the Kainar 6CT car battery is its increased resistance to corrosion and vibration. During operation, recharging may be required, as indicated by the indicator. Having survived a deep discharge, the battery is rarely restored to its full capacity.
Top 9. Beast 60 Ah 650
Among Niva Chevrolet owners, the Beast 60 A battery turned out to be the most popular, as it demonstrates the best cold cranking current, durability and a fair price.
The Beast car battery presented in our rating has a lot of advantages and has proven itself well on domestic car brands, including the Chevrolet Niva. A set of technological innovations has made it possible to significantly improve the indicators of energy intensity, cold cranking current, charge acceptance and release speed. An additional advantage of the model is maximum endurance and resistance to maximum temperatures in the range from -50 ˚C to +80 ˚C. Users who install additional heating, an amplifier with a subwoofer and other energy-intensive devices in their car confirm the optimal performance of this battery. In addition, this battery has better protection against short circuits and depressurization.
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