The 2016 Kia Optima LX battery size is manufacturer-recommended for 800 cold cranking amps (CCA). The manufacturer-recommended battery type is an AGM battery and the group size is H7/94R. Slight variations in these battery recommendations may be compatible with a 2016 Kia Optima LX

The 2016 Kia Optima LX came standard with a 2.4-L four-cylinder engine, but a slightly more powerful 1.6-L turbo four-cylinder was available as an upgrade. Either engine option requires one key component to get up and running—a car battery! To keep things easy, Kia recommends the same battery size for this trim, regardless of engine configuration.

Replacing a car battery

on your own can help you save some cash. After all, your

car insurance

likely won’t be paying out for this natural wear and tear. Here’s an easy guide to the 2016 Kia Optima LX battery size to help you pick the right replacement battery and keep it running for as long as possible.

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How big is a 2016 Kia Optima LX battery?

Kia

kept things simple in the 2016 Kia Optima LX’s electrical systems by recommending the same size battery for all variations of this trim—regardless of engine configuration. Both the 2.4-L Optima LX and the 1.6-L turbo Optima LX are recommended to use an 800 CCA H7/94R-AGM battery for the 2016 model year.

Let’s break down what all of those distinctions mean:

800 CCA: This refers to the number of cold cranking amps you’ll need in your ‘16 Optima LX’s battery. This spec indicates how much energy your battery is able to output to start an engine from cold. When we talk about battery size, we’re usually actually talking about the cold cranking amperage behind it.

H7/94R: This refers to the group size of the battery size—i.e. the actual physical size. This is a less important spec compared to the cold cranking amps because you can technically use a different size battery, so long as its amperage and other specs are still compatible with your 2016 Kia Optima LX.

AGM: This refers to the battery type (think AAA or DD) and stands for “Absorbent Glass Mat.” Describing the inner workings of this battery probably won’t mean much to you unless you speak electrics, but these batteries are basically easier to recharge than most other kinds.

All-in-all, these are some pretty basic specs for a car battery—shout out to Kia for keeping things simple once again! You can shop for your Kia Optima LX’s battery from an auto parts store, like

Advance Auto Parts

, and you can even vary its size a bit to meet your needs. Just make sure that the battery you choose is compatible with the 2016 Kia Optima LX.

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How big is the battery on other 2016 Kia Optima LX trims

The 2016

Kia Optima EX

has the same engine configuration as the standard LX, so you’re looking at the same 800 CCA H7/94R-AGM battery for this one. You’ll need a different battery if you’re driving a top-tier Kia Optima from this model year.

The 2016

Kia Optima SX

and

SX Limited

equip an upgraded 2.0-L turbo four-cylinder engine that’s recommended to use a 760 CCA H6/98R-AGM battery. We’re not looking at anything drastically different from its LX and EX siblings as far as physical size is concerned—the H6/98R group size is just slightly smaller than the H7/94R. However, the difference in CCAs is an important distinction to observe to make sure your Optima starts properly.

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2016 Kia Optima LX battery life

If everything is working as it should, your 2016 Optima LX’s car battery should be recharged by the powertrain as you drive—meaning you shouldn’t have to worry about a new battery draining through all its power in one go!

Remember when we said that AGM batteries are better at recharging than other batteries? That’s what makes these types of batteries so common in cars. However, that doesn’t mean that they’ll work like that forever. Car batteries are yet another component in your vehicle that are subject to natural wear and tear and eventual permanent failure.

The life expectancy of a typical car battery is four to five years according to experts. However, that timeline can vary depending on certain factors, like how often you drive and the climate you typically drive in.

Most batteries in Kia Optimas from 2016 have likely already needed replacing, so it might be time to add car battery tests to your

routine maintenance schedule

if you’re still working that original block.

Here are some other common signs of battery failure to stay on the lookout for:

A clicking noise when you start your car engine

Visible corrosion on the battery

Regularly needing to

jump-start your car battery

Car lights going dull

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How to keep your 2016 Kia Optima LX battery healthy

Since you’ve probably got a relatively new battery in your 2016 Kia Optima LX or you’re on your way to replacing it, you’re probably wondering what you can do to make this one last. Here are some of our go-to tips for improving the health of your Optima LX battery:

Regular usage: All of that useful battery recharging won’t happen if you’re not using your car. If your vehicle stays idle for an extended period of time, the battery can start to lose residual power without getting any back. Try to take your car out every now and then for at least 15 minutes to keep its battery operating at a happy capacity (if you don’t use it regularly already).

Manual recharge: If it’s too late to take your car out for regular spins or you simply won’t have access to your car for an extended period of time, you may have to remove the battery and recharge it before you use it again. Otherwise, you risk your battery dying on you before you’ve made it down the driveway.

Turn off electrics: Whether you bumped the interior lights on or you’ve left your GPS plugged in, any electronics in your car will still drain power after the engine is turned off. Check to make sure all lights are off and that any power or charging cables are unplugged before getting out of your car.

Routine maintenance: Set those reminders and keep up with the upkeep on your 2016 Kia Optima LX. Not only will it function to the best of its capabilities, but it will also reduce unnecessary strain on your car’s systems—like the electrical system and car battery!

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