If you own a 2002 Honda Accord, chances are good you’ve had to make a few upgrades to it now and then. It’s a reliable vehicle all around, but some components will wear down no matter what. How do you get a replacement battery for the 2002 Honda Accord?
What’s the best battery for a 2002 Honda Accord?
The 2002 Honda Accord requires a 640 CCA battery in Group Size 35. If you were to buy the OEM battery, look for Part No. 35-2 available through various providers.
Getting the right battery for your Honda Accord is critical, as you do not want to have problems down the road. You may need a different battery from this due to the specs of your car. How do you know what to buy? We’ll answer those questions for you here.
Battery Group Sizes for Your Car
One of the components of any description of a vehicle battery is the group size. This is a specific number – usually a combination of just numbers or numbers and a letter. It is what distinguishes the battery’s size, location, and terminal type.
Battery group sizes are set by the Battery Council International (BCI). They are not all of the information you need to buy a new battery for your 2002 Honda Accord, but they do provide some information you need.
As noted, the group size for the Honda Accord is 35. There may be some differences in this across all Honda Accord models and years, but this is accurate for the 2002.
Choosing the Right Battery Type: Lead-acid, Lithium-ion, or SLI?
Your vehicle requires a very specific type of battery. If you use the wrong one, it will not operate the way it should. The key in making the right buying decision then is understanding the types of batteries used. There are, for the most part, three options: Lead-acid, Lithium-ion, and SLI.
Lead-acid batteries are designed using plates, lead, and lead oxide. This specific battery type uses a solution made of 35% sulfuric acid along with 65% water. When created, this solution works to create a chemical reaction that produces electrons that power your car.
If you had a hybrid model of a car, you may have a lead-acid battery in it. The 2002 Honda Accord does not use this type of battery. That’s because these batteries tend to be only secondary or back-up batteries.
They do work well for recharging, which is why they are often used in hybrids. Most often, you will not want this type of battery.
You may also learn about lithium-ion batteries. This is another form used in some motor engines. It is not used in the Honda Accord, though. These batteries are smaller and while they are packed with more power, they tend to not fit well into the Accord.
What you will find in your 2002 Honda Accord is an SLI battery – Starting, Lighting, and Ignition. This type of battery is designed for most types of gas-powered cars. It works to start your motor, lights, and ignition for you. SLI batteries are the most common option overall.
Buying OEM or Aftermarket: Which is Best?
If you asked Honda what type of battery to purchase, they would tell you to buy the same type that was originally placed into your vehicle. Your car’s battery was built for it. It works reliably for it. And, your warranty will cover it up to a point.
These are OEM batteries, or original equipment manufacturer batteries. This means they are made by the same manufacturer and assembly company as the battery that was original to your vehicle. OEM batteries are the right specifications for your vehicle and will not exceed the car’s needs.
OEM batteries for a 2002 can become hard to find (and they will continue to be so as the car gets older). For that reason, they tend to be more expensive. You may want to consider aftermarket batteries, then.
These should have the same specs and functions, but are made by a different manufacturer. You can look up the specific needs for your car to ensure you are buying exactly what is recommended for your vehicle. They are not covered under the same warranty, though.
Whenever possible, you’ll want to purchase OEM batteries for your Honda. This will help ensure you maintain your car’s value and you are able to ensure the car is not getting the wrong type or amount of power to it – which can cause dozens of additional problems.
If you’re going to buy an aftermarket battery, there are a few things to look for then:
- Be sure to purchase group size 35.
- It should have at least 700 cold cranking amps (CCA).
Verify your car’s model and year, along with the trim and the engine in it. This is an all-important insight when it comes to choosing the right battery.
What Should You Buy for an Aftermarket 2002 Honda Accord Battery?
When you need to replace the battery in your 2002 Honda Accord, and you’re buying aftermarket products, there are a few things we recommend.
First, aftermarket tends to be just fine for this manufacturer and make. More so, an OEM for a 2002 is going to be harder to find and much more expensive. Since your warranty is already expired, it’s best to go with more affordability.
Here are some batteries we found that may work for you. Be sure to check your specs before making a decision.
- Deka Battery
- Optima batteries
When the time comes to buy a new battery for your Honda Accord, do some research on the trim model you have and your engine. For the 2002 model, there are some differences in available batteries for these cars. It’s important to get it just right.
Photos: Honda
