How much does a car battery cost, and when should it be replaced? Vehicle owners often have a question on their minds. Because vehicle batteries are installed according to the vehicle model and requirements, Generally, the price of a battery depends on its size, brand value, voltage, and type.
These factors directly affect the price of the battery. So you should keep in mind that timely replacement of the battery is cheaper than repairing the damaged electronic components of the vehicle due to a bad battery. In this post, you will learn about the cost of a car battery.
How Much Does A Car Battery Cost?
On average, the cost of lead-acid batteries used in typical cars can reach approximately $90 to $300, and a mechanic’s labor charge to charge or replace the battery can range from $20 to $60. However, absorbent glass mat batteries used in luxury and sports cars can cost up to $300 more than other lead-acid batteries. Also, the price of the battery depends on the warranty and warranty period of the battery.
Since these cars have more electrical components, they require more electrical power to activate them. Hence the absorbent glass-mat batteries used in these cars. The price of car batteries used in vehicles depends on the vehicle model and the size, power, and quality of the battery.
If you notice any problem with the current condition of your car battery, you should get it inspected by a garage or auto parts store. If your car battery is drained, you should replace the battery with a new one.
Types Of Car Batteries
There are different types of batteries used in cars. Car batteries are designed based on quality, size and power. The car battery is installed according to the model of the car and the power requirement. There are different types of car batteries, about which we will know in detail.
1. Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Battery
At present, lithium-ion batteries are gaining the most popularity in modern electric and hybrid cars. This is a fast-rechargeable battery. Due to this, the lithium-ion battery performs better than other ordinary batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries used in cars are designed with a secondary cell. Lithium-ion batteries are generally lighter in weight than other batteries, which makes them easy to install. Lithium-ion battery provides a longer performance. Due to this, its maintenance cost is low. Lithium-ion batteries provide high-speed charging and storage.
2. Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) Battery
A valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery is commonly referred to as an “advanced lead-acid battery.” There is no leakage of any kind of liquid when this type of battery is tilted or turned upside down. No liquid or water is required to connect the cells to this battery. And this type of battery also provides better performance.
There are two types of valve-regulated lead-acid batteries used in cars and other vehicles: an absorption glass mat battery and a gel cell battery. These batteries are often used more in luxury cars. because they have more power and life.
3. Starting, Lighting and Ignition (SLI) Battery
This type of battery is also often used for general vehicles. This is a fast rechargeable battery. The electronic systems of cars and other vehicles, such as radios, lights, AC/heater blower motors, are powered by SLI batteries. This type of charging is provided by the alternator as soon as the engine of the car starts.
4. Flooded Lead-Acid Battery (Wet Cell)
Wet cell batteries contain a liquid “electrolyte.” Wet cell batteries are often called “flooded batteries.” These are often used as secondary rechargeable batteries that are charged by the alternator after the vehicle is started. Wet cell batteries can have longer charge-discharge cycles and a longer lifespan with proper maintenance.
5. Lead-Acid Battery
A lead-acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery, that comes in different capacities and sizes at affordable car battery prices. These batteries have a main battery cell construction, and the amount of electrolyte and the size of the battery plates inside the battery determine how much energy they can store. Lead-acid batteries also require a minimal amount of maintenance for all the different types of batteries.
How Long Does A Car Battery Last?
Typically, the lifespan of a car battery is 3 to 5 years, but factors such as battery type and quality, driving conditions, maintenance, and climate can increase or decrease its lifespan. Extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures can directly affect the lifespan of the battery.
Additionally, if you do regular maintenance and keep the battery terminals clean, this also helps extend their life. Therefore, get your car battery tested from time to time, especially when its lifespan is close to 3 years.
When To Replace Car Battery?
Generally, car batteries should be replaced every 3 to 5 years. During this time, you may see very few signs of a damaged or dead battery while you are driving. Because it keeps receiving charge from the alternator continuously. Therefore, always keep in mind that the battery of the vehicle will have to be changed within 3 to 5 years.
However, when it comes time to replace the battery, the battery’s ability to store voltage begins to diminish, and you begin to notice a variety of battery-related malfunctions, such as difficulty starting the engine, dim headlights, and electronic components working slowly. Based on these symptoms, you can understand that it is time to replace the battery.
Signs Of Damage Car Battery
Symptoms of a damaged car battery include difficulty starting the engine, dimming of headlights and taillight lights, slow performance of electrical components, clicking noises when turning the key, a sulfurous odor, and corrosion or leakage at the battery terminals.
Let us know the symptoms of a bad battery one by one in detail so that you can identify the bad battery on the basis of these symptoms and replace it in time.
1. Difficult To Start Engine
A common symptom of a bad or dead battery is difficulty starting the vehicle’s engine. A dead battery can consume more time during charging and the engine crank can spin more rounds to start a cold engine or the dead battery may be unable to fully rotate the engine crank. Sometimes a bad battery is unable to start a cold engine. But once the engine is started, it can start smoothly when the engine is warmed up.
2. Dim Light Problem
Usually, cars and other vehicles have many system components that are powered by batteries. All the battery power is used to activate these components. But a bad or dead battery can cause your vehicle’s light to dim. And the electronic components can get the battery to a state of discharge in no time and the lights on the vehicle’s cluster meter may dim.
3. Check Engine Light
The check engine light may show when the vehicle’s battery is discharged or the battery dies. Therefore, you must get the battery of your vehicle inspected by a vehicle mechanic. So that you can be sure what the problem is with the battery of the vehicle. Or try another battery replacement.
4. Sulfurous Odor
Usually, when the battery of the vehicle is too old or gets damaged, the liquid used in the battery starts leaking, the smell of it can be felt when opening the hood of the car. This pungent acid odour can be like a rotten egg. And liquid leaking can be seen around the battery casing. If you see this, you will need to replace the vehicle’s battery immediately.
5. Battery Terminal Corrosion
When the battery is damaged, you may see white carbonic acid or rake-like residue on the negative and positive metal terminal poles of the battery, which interrupts the charging input supply of the battery and the output DC power supply of the battery.
If you see this, you should clean the battery terminal once, if again you see this problem again in a short time. So your vehicle’s battery is definitely in bad condition. And the vehicle battery needs to be replaced with a new one.
Car Battery Replacement Cost
Car battery replacement costs depend on several factors, such as battery type, vehicle model, and replacement location. On average, you can expect a new car battery replacement to cost anywhere from $110 to $350 or more, including mechanic labor.
However, high-performance or specialty batteries may cost even more. Labor costs to replace a new battery can also vary, but they offer free installations if you purchase the battery from them.
EV Battery Replacement Cost
On average, replacement costs for an EV battery can range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Typically, the replacement cost of an electric vehicle battery depends on factors such as vehicle model, battery capacity, manufacturer’s price, and replacement location.
You also need to keep in mind that many EV manufacturers warranty their batteries for a specific period of time, which can usually be 8 to 10 years or up to a certain number of miles. If any problem occurs with the EV battery within the warranty period, the replacement cost may be covered.
FAQ’s
Q. Can I change the car battery myself?
Yes, changing the battery is a simple process in most cars. However, some precautions should be taken while changing it. For example, any part of the body should be protected from contact with acid, and while reinstalling the battery, ensure that the negative and positive terminals are not interchanged.
Q. How do I know when my car battery needs replacing?
Often, you may notice a number of symptoms of a weak or dead battery, such as an unresponsive starter, flickering or dim headlights, difficulty starting the engine, and slow performance of electrical components. These symptoms should tell you that your vehicle’s battery is having a problem that needs to be replaced.
Q. What are the symptoms of a bad car battery?
Symptoms of a bad car battery include difficulty starting the engine, dimming of headlights and taillight lights, slow performance of electrical components, a sulfur smell, and corrosion on the battery terminals.
