How to Choose the Right Car Battery for Replacement

It’s best to ask a mechanic about the right battery for your vehicle. Some factors to consider include: 

• Type: Check your car’s manual to identify the correct battery type for your vehicle. Some variants available in the market are:

• • Standard flooded battery: Also called a traditional lead-acid battery, this type is commonly used in older vehicles with fewer electric functions.

• • Sealed lead acid battery (SLA): Compatible with modern vehicles or applications requiring spill-proof designs. These include: 

    • Absorbent Glass Mat battery (AGM): Compatible with start-stop systems. Interstate Battery is a popular AGM brand. 
    • Gel cell battery: Compatible with deep-cycle applications like RVs.

• • Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH): Compatible with hybrid and older electric vehicles.

• • Lithium-ion battery (EV batteries): Compatible with an electric vehicle.

• Battery size and terminal placement: Buy a new battery that’s compatible with your automobile battery setup, i.e., it fits your car battery terminals and battery tray.

• Electrical specifications: Ensure the battery’s reserve capacity and Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) match your vehicle’s requirements. The higher the CCA, the better it’ll perform in frigid conditions.

• Features: Consider specs like a handle for easy car battery installation and a vent system to prevent gas build-up.

• Battery warranty: Verify if an auto battery replacement is included in your manufacturer’s warranty or car insurance. You can also check if they offer a free battery test service.NOTE: Standard car insurance typically doesn’t cover a battery replacement service unless tied to a specific warranty or breakdown policy.

• Brand: Choose a premium battery or an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) unit, as they are typically more reliable.

Now that you know how to choose a new battery, we’ll discuss the symptoms that indicate you need a replacement service. 

7 Signs Your Car Needs a New Battery

Here are some indicators that you need a battery replacement: 

• Vehicle won’t start: A dead battery won’t provide enough power for your engine to crank.

• Vehicle starts slowly: A weak automotive battery will struggle to power the starter motor, leading to slow or repeated attempts to start the engine.

• Frequently needing a jump start: If your battery is dying it won’t hold a charge long enough for the engine to recharge it. Therefore, you’ll have to rely on jumper cables to start your vehicle.

• Dashboard warning lights: A lit battery light or check engine light may signal a battery issue.

• Malfunctioning electrical accessories: A failing battery won’t supply sufficient power to the car’s electrical components, leading to dim headlights and faulty electrical parts.

• Bloated battery case: When an alternator overcharges, it generates excess voltage, leading to electrolysis and hydrogen gas build-up. This will increase the pressure in your car battery and make it swell.

• Odd smell: A rotten egg odor from the auto battery indicates a battery acid leakage, which can corrode nearby areas.

TIP: It’s a good idea to get a free battery check during tire changes as worn tires can negatively impact your battery health.

Read on to find out if it’s safe to drive with these symptoms.

How Urgent Is a Car Battery Replacement?

A battery replacement service is an urgent procedure. You should have a mechanic attend to your dying or faulty battery ASAP, as it could stop working anytime and leave you stranded. 

Remember, weak batteries strain more in cold weather, making it harder to start your car in freezing temperatures.

Moreover, if you have leaking battery acid or a bloated battery case, it can lead to explosions and damage engine parts, resulting in expensive repairs. 

Want to get your current battery replaced, but your car won’t start?

Contacting a mobile mechanic like AutoNation Mobile Service is your best option. We’ll come to you for mobile battery installation, battery repair,  or any other auto repair.

Let’s look at what mobile car battery replacement entails.  

What’s Covered in a Mobile Car Battery Replacement Service?

Here’s what a mobile mechanic will do during a car battery service:

• Diagnosis: Battery inspection includes checking for wear or corrosion on the old battery. They’ll perform a battery test to check the reserve capacity. In some cases, they may offer to repair the battery pack.  They’ll also test the alternator and starter motor, as these components can cause similar symptoms.

• Selection: Identify the right battery for your car’s size, voltage, and capacity and facilitate car battery delivery.

• Mobile battery replacement: Disconnect the battery cable set from the dead battery. They’ll remove it, insert the new car battery, and reattach each battery cable (positive cable first) to the right terminal.

• Testing: Test the replacement battery to confirm proper power delivery and conduct a final battery inspection.

• Battery recycling: Send the old battery to a recycling facility for proper disposal.

Now that we’ve covered mobile battery replacement, we’ll explore how much you’ll have to shell out for a brand-new battery.

How Much Will Replacing a Car Battery Cost?

The average cost for battery replacements can range from $100 to $20,000+, depending on the battery type and labor charges ($50 to $170). Here are the battery prices for common types:

• Standard flooded battery: $50 to $150 

• Sealed lead acid battery (SLA): $100 to $300 
  • AGM battery: $150 to $200
  • Gel cell battery: $100 to $300

• Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH): $1,000 to $6,000

• Electric car battery (lithium-ion) battery: $6,000 to over $20,000

Up next, let’s find out the ideal time for battery replacements.

How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

The average lifespan of a fresh battery is between 3 and 5 years. However, it may vary based on your battery type, driving habits, and battery service routine:

• Standard flooded battery: 3 to 5 years

• Sealed lead acid battery (SLA): 3 to 6 years  
  • AGM battery: 3 to 5 years
  • Gel cell battery: 5 to 6 years

• Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery: 3 to 5 years

• Electric vehicle battery: 10 to 20 years

Have more questions about an automobile battery?
Let’s tackle them next.

4 FAQs on Car Battery Replacement

Here are the answers to some commonly asked battery-related questions: 

1. What Is a Car Battery, and How Does It Work?

An automobile battery stores power to start your vehicle and run its electrical system. It converts chemical energy into electrical energy through a reaction between lead plates and sulfuric acid. 

When the battery connects with the starter motor, the electrolyte breaks down into positive hydrogen and negative sulfate ions. This reaction causes electrons to flow from the negative to the positive electrode through an external circuit, generating the electrical energy needed to run your car.

2. What Other Car Troubles Show Similar Signs of a Dying Battery?

The following components can mimic dead car battery symptoms:

• Starter motor: Hearing a single click sound when attempting to start the engine indicates a faulty starter motor, not a dead car battery.

• Alternator: Trouble starting your vehicle or electrical malfunctions may suggest a problem with the alternator. 

• Vehicle’s electrical system: Flickering lights or erratic instrument panel behavior might point to electrical system issues, like damaged wiring and a defective fuse.

• Fuel system: If the engine cranks but fails to start, the culprit might be a fuel delivery problem, such as a malfunctioning fuel pump.

3. What Causes a Car Battery to Drain Fast?

Some factors that can drain your battery life include:

• Battery age: Old car batteries won’t hold a charge for long, so you’ll often need jumper cables and another vehicle to start your car.

• Extreme temperatures: Heat and cold temperatures can cause the battery to malfunction or work harder, making it drain faster.

• Car accessories: Electrical components like headlights, interior lights, and any other device that draws excessive power can cause a defective battery.

• Faulty alternator: A malfunctioning alternator won’t charge the battery adequately, leading to a faster drain and a failing battery.

• Parasitic draws: The vehicle’s electrical system can drain battery life even when the engine is off.

• Limited vehicle use: Not driving daily can prevent the battery from charging fully.

4. How to Maintain Your Car Battery for a Longer Lifespan

Here are some tips to prevent a defective battery:

• Drive regularly and avoid short trips: Avoid bad driving habits, such as frequent short trips, which prevent the battery from fully recharging.

• Secure the battery: Tightly secure the battery in the battery tray to prevent excessive vibrations, which can lead to internal damage and the need for repair.

• Turn off accessories: When exiting the vehicle, switch off exterior and interior lights and any other electronic device to extend the battery life.

• Clean each battery terminal: Use a brush and baking soda to remove any corrosion on either battery terminal (and battery cable), which could impede electrical flow.

• Conduct a battery health check: Use a multimeter to read the battery charge. A fresh battery should be around 12.7 volts or higher; below 12.4 volts indicates a potential battery problem.

• Avoid extreme temperatures: Park in shaded areas or garages when possible to shield the battery from excessive heat. Also, consider using insulation during colder months.

• Avoid long periods of no driving: Disconnect the battery or attach a trickle charger to the car battery terminals during extended periods of inactivity.