Whether you’re buying an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) battery or an aftermarket part from Autozone, it pays to know what’s under the hood of your vehicle. You want to make sure you’re buying the right 2014 Dodge Journey battery.
What is the best battery for a 2014 Dodge Journey?
A 2014 Dodge Journey battery is a group size 86 525CCA AGM battery. Alternately, you can use a group size 86 525CCA flooded SLI battery, but if you have the option, the AGM is your best fit.
That’s all you need to know before you head to the shop to pick out a battery, but what exactly does all that stuff mean? What’s an AGM battery? How big is a group size 86? And what does 525CCA mean? We’ll cover all of that below. Read on.
Battery Group Sizes Explained
You can identify the group size by the BCI code (Battery Council International). This is a handy universal shorthand that ensures that battery sizes are the same no matter where you go.
Without BCI coding, a U.S.-made battery would be measured in inches, while a European-made battery would be measured in the metric system. And then there are language barriers from country to country, too.
So with BCI, we’re all using the same coding system for our batteries, so there’s no need to convert inches to centimeters or call the translator in to figure it out.
A group size 86 battery (like you’ll find in your 2014 Dodge Journey) is 9 1/16 x 6 13/16 x 8 inches in length, width, and height.
Find the Right Type
You need to make sure that you’re using the right type of battery. You can use a lead-acid battery in a car designed for an AGM battery, but it’s not recommended.
With a 2014 Journey, you’re looking for an AGM, or Absorbed Glass Mat battery. These batteries were introduced as a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries.
AGM batteries are highly durable against all sorts of weather, and they’re spill-proof, thanks to their fiberglass-mat-based design.
This allows car developers to tuck them in wherever they like, under the seat, sideways, in the trunk. Anything goes. A lead-acid battery needs to be held upright to prevent spilling, but an AGM battery essentially runs dry.
You can use a group size 86 SLI, or Starting, Lightning and Ignition flooded battery. However, for best results, you want to stick to OEM specs, and that’s an AGM.
OEM vs. Aftermarket
Here’s why we suggest OEM batteries no matter the make and model: You don’t have to remember so much. You just go to the dealer, tell them you need a new battery, and they take care of the rest.
OEM batteries are also built to fit your car like a glove. Minor differences in specs like water content can result in aftermarket batteries burning out long before an OEM battery would have.
OEM batteries typically cost a bit more, but that’s because they’re built at the highest standards. They also come with all the same guarantees as the original battery.
The best way to find an OEM battery for your 2014 Dodge Journey is to look up your zip code and find a Dodge dealer in your area. You can find OEM batteries on third-party websites, but there’s no guaranteeing the quality.
If You Must Buy Aftermarket…
Buying an OEM battery might not be an option. The 2014 Dodge Journey is getting on in years, so who knows how many OEM batteries they have left for the model? Or, what if you’re stranded and you just need something that works right now?
The first thing you should do is check your owner’s manual. The specs we’ve given you should be correct, but you need to double-check, as these things may vary by trim level and options.
If our specs check out, make sure you’re getting the right group size (86), the right CCA (525), and the right type (AGM).
Everyone has their own favorite brand, but you can generally count on DieHard to make a quality AGM battery.
