want to be proactive..............any suggestions..........

 

Not much info to go on. year ? miles ? etc ?
But you might wanna get your current battery "Load Tested" FREE at local Auto Parts Store..

 

IMO its all about the warranty....any battery with the same CCA will do the same job...the warranty is what I look for..... I bought interstate, was cheaper(discount thru a friend) and better than most when it comes to warranty...

 

So true, especially since so many are made at the same plant and then just different colored cases and lables for different vendors. Buy from a reputable place and longest warranty you can afford.

Wifes had a 36m free, 80m prorate and it died at the 35m point. So got a warranty replacement and a new warranty.

 

Actualy it's not as easy as just matching CCA!
1st there is the size issue, and 2nd the battery is inside of the car and requires a vent tube. Because of this your choices are limited much more.

 

did a basic google search, you can hit the major sites like Pep Boys, Autozone, O'reillys, but the only one not listing was Rockauto.com which was surprising.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...make=Chevrolet

108.99

•Cold Cranking Amps: 600
•Cranking Amps: 745
•Reserve Capacity: 90 Minutes
34 month free replacement, prorated up to 84.

Just something to think about, outside the box.

 

Dont forget..most batteries are sorted by group #...

 

Just a heads up, I just went through the battery buying process for the first time with an HHR, it seems every car I own goes through at least one battery in the typical 5 years I own a car.

Anyway, as stated above unless you are wanting an Optima Battery (Summit could not find one that was a direct factory replacement!) than most batteries are very similar. The CCA and CA are really the only things that might vary. Stock is 600CA and like 300CCA. Our cars actually have a sort of special size battery so you have to get one of the more "expensive" batteries.

I went to multiple places and ended up getting mine at Walmart. Great Warranty, Best Price and the store availability makes it super easy to take care of a warranty issue if I have one (I have had one or two go bad on me in my 13 years or so of owning a car and NEVER had an issue getting it replaced under the warranty).

Walmart 109.99
Summit Racing 129.99 (Went to their retail location in OH, Interstate Battery)
Sears 119.99

Again, dealt with Walmart batteries in the past, have had good luck and their MAXX line has a 5 year warranty, which is the best I found. It's actually rated 50CA/CCA higher than stock as well for a little more umpff.

 

mine is an 06, no battery issues, August 06

Wally World batteries last 2 to 2.5 years in my truck, I love it... I keep going back and getting new ones... Just protect the date tab on the battery..

 

There is only one group spec for the HHR, Group 90, if my memory is working today. It is the ONLY group that is supposed to be used, physical size, post location and venting. Not all manufacturers make this group.
All of the other numbers really only pertain to the length of warranty and price (more CCA=longer warranty, etc.). So, you should get the proper group, keeping in mind that the warranty is what really matters, both the free replacement and the prorated term.