WHAT ARE CAs (CRANKING AMPS) & CCAs (COLD CRANKING AMPS)?

CA/cranking amps determine how much power you have to start your car in most climates. The basic job of a battery is to start an engine; it must crank, or rotate the crankshaft while at the same time maintaining sufficient voltage to activate the ignition system until the engine fires and maintains rotation. This requirement involves a high discharge rate in amperes for a short period of time. Since it is more difficult for a battery to deliver power and that the engine requires more power to turn over when it is cold, the Cold Cranking rating is defined in international test standards as: The number of amperes a lead-acid battery at -17.8 degrees C, can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell-volt battery. In other words, CCA/cold cranking amps determine how much power you have to start your car on cold winter mornings.