There are two engine options available for the 2012 Chrysler 200—a 2.4L inline four-cylinder and a 3.6L V6—but they both require a 12-volt battery with at least 525 cold cranking amps (CCA).

The 2012 Chrysler 200 is a car that can do it all. It’s got great features for the price, a smooth and comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and even a convertible model. It also has two different engines for you to choose from.

An engine can’t power a car on its own, though—it needs a battery. If you’re trying to learn more about the battery that powers your 2012 Chrysler 200, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll fill you in on different battery types and sizes, and provide some tips on how to get the most out of your Chrysler 200’s battery.

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How big is a Chrysler 200’s battery?

Let’s take a quick look at the specific batteries that are compatible with the 2012 Chrysler 200’s two engine options:

Four-cylinder engine with 525 CCA: 86-1 battery

V6 engine with 525 CCA: 86-1 battery

Pretty easy to remember, right? While the specific amount of cold cranking amps usually fluctuates between different types and sizes of engines, the Chrysler 200 has the same amount for both.

If you want to take a look for yourself, there are two places where you can check your own battery size. It should be listed somewhere in the owner’s manual, and it should also be printed on the label of the battery itself.

You could also use a battery with more CCA when you have to replace your old one, so long as the new battery is still compatible with your vehicle. You should be able to find a new battery that meets your vehicle’s amperage and reserve capacity limits through auto parts retailers like

Autozone

Advance Auto Parts

, or even

BatteriesPlus

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Chrysler 200 battery life

Gas-powered vehicles have a part that’s known as the alternator, which actually uses the mechanical motion of your engine to recharge your battery as you drive. Pretty neat, right?

That doesn’t mean, though, that you never have to replace your battery. Most experts tend to agree that your battery should be replaced every three to five years. Of course, the specific timeframe will be affected by factors like average temperature and the distance you drive every day.

It’s a good idea to regularly test your car’s battery so it doesn’t fail you when you least expect it. Keep an eye out for these signs of a faulty or failing battery:

There’s a loud clicking noise when you try to start your car

Obvious corrosion on the battery

Your battery needs constant

jump-starting and/or charging

Your headlights are dimmer than usual

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How to keep your Chrysler 200 battery healthy

Regularly checking the state of your battery is only the beginning. Let’s take a look at several additional steps you can take to extend the life of your Chrysler 200’s battery:

Start your car regularly, especially if it’s cold outside. Since driving recharges your battery, try to start your vehicle at least once a week and drive it around for up to fifteen minutes.

After a long absence, manually recharge the battery. If you’ve been away or have had your car in storage, manually recharging your battery before attempting to hit the road can save you some grief.

Turn those lights off! Forgetting to turn off the headlights is an easy miss, but it’s also the most common way to drain your battery. Make sure to turn off your headlights before getting out of your car.

Unplug electronics when the car is not in use. Accessories can still draw power from your battery even if your car is off. Make sure you disconnect electronics if you aren’t using them.

Don’t forget scheduled maintenance. Smaller, seemingly unrelated electrical issues can add up and put extra strain on your battery, so make sure you stay on top of your car’s maintenance.

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