The day your car won’t start isn’t the best time to shop for a new car battery. But according to our research, that’s exactly what most people do.
You will probably have to replace the car battery once or twice during the life of your vehicle because it gets old or worn out from exposure to heat and repeated charging and discharging.
A dead battery can be a real hassle, especially if you can’t find your jumper cables or have to wait for roadside assistance.
Taking care of your battery can help get the most service life from it, and being attentive to its condition and age can signal when it is time to begin shopping for a replacement … before you are left stranded.
Below are tips for getting the best battery for your needs.
When You Should Replace Your Battery
To start, it’s important to know when you need to replace your car or truck battery. In addition to noticing the telltale signs of a weak battery (dimming lights, trouble starting, etc) there are a few additional things to look out for that may require a new battery to be installed.
- A cracked battery case
- A bulging battery, usually a sign of the battery freezing
- The battery won’t accept a charge
- Loose battery terminals
- Missing filler caps (if applicable)
How To Choose The Best Battery For Your Car
How do you know which battery is right for your vehicle? Here are some of the key factors you should consider.
If you are unsure of the requirements in any of these areas, check your vehicle manual or talk to your mechanic for the original equipment (OE) manufacturer’s recommendations.
Also, look for a hassle-free warranty that includes a free-replacement time frame.
#1. Check the Size before You Buy.
Regardless of whether you’re doing it in your driveway or letting a shop install, it’s a good idea to first make sure you’re buying the correct physical size. A number of sizes fit today’s wide variety of vehicles.
Car batteries are all categorized by size. The Battery Council International created the BCI Group size to make finding the exact size of battery for your car easier. Car and truck batteries come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to make sure you get the right one for your vehicle.
- For instance, size 24/24F (top terminal) batteries fit many Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti vehicles, while size 35 (top terminal) units fit many other Japanese vehicles, including recent Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas, and Subarus.
- Size 48H6 (top terminal) batteries fit many European and American vehicles. Again, you can find which size you need in your owner’s manual, in the replacement guides at the retail store, or online.
- Size 47 (H5) (top terminal): Fits many Buick, Chevrolet, Fiat, and Volkswagen models.
- Size 49 (H8) (top terminal): Fits many European and Asian vehicles from Audi, BMW, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz.
- Size 51R (top terminal): Fits many Japanese vehicles from Honda and Nissan.
- Size 65 (top terminal): Fits large cars, trucks, and sport-utility vehicles from Ford or Mercury.
#2. Know What Type of Battery You Need.
Almost all cars come with a 12-volt sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery of some variety (a few high-performance cars are equipped with lithium-ion batteries). These SLA batteries use the same chemistry as the ones your dad had to periodically top off with water, but today they are sealed—hence the name—and maintenance-free.
Absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries have quickly become the norm for most modern cars. They use similar chemistry as SLAs but are more durable and are claimed to stand up to more charge cycles.
Gel-cell batteries are best for deep discharging but may have problems in extreme hot or cold. Those old “wet cell” batteries from Dad’s day are still available, though primarily for older models or penny pinchers. They are likely not offered in the right sizes and specs to support modern cars, however.
Note: You absolutely can upgrade from a flooded battery to an AGM battery if your vehicle comes with a flooded battery. However, you can not downgrade from AGM to flooded. If your vehicle comes with an AGM battery from the factory, you must replace it with another AGM battery.
#3. Find the Minimum Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) for Your Car.
All cars and trucks are designed and built with specific power requirements to start the car, especially when in cold weather. This is known as the Cold Cranking Amperage or CCA. If you don’t use a battery that is at least the minimum CCA recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, you could be unable to start the car due to a lack of power.
You can find your vehicle’s minimum CCA rating and more by using a few different methods:
- The label of the existing battery will state the CCA rating.
- The owner’s manual for the vehicle will provide the required battery specifications.
- Check online resources for battery minimum ratings.
You absolutely can install a battery that has a higher CCA rating than the minimum requirement from the manufacturer; however, you should never install a battery with a lower CCA rating than the minimum.
#4. Three More Things You Need to Know.
Another number to understand is the battery’s reserve capacity, which is how long it can provide power with the engine off and headlights and/or accessories on or if the vehicle’s charging system fails. One and a half hours is good. Two hours is better.
Also important is the warranty, which should be at least three years for full replacement (assuming no signs of neglect or abuse), plus, in some cases, a prorated refund for some time after that. Bear in mind, manufacturer warranties are often not supported when parts and accessories are purchased online from retailers like Amazon or Walmart.
Finally, be forewarned: Some brands, such as BMW, require the battery to be “coded” (digitally mated) to the car or it will not take a charge. Coding the battery requires BMW-specific OBD-II software that any reputable service shop or BMW dealer will have.
How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
Ask around and you’ll get several different answers. Some cars will get up to five or six years out of their battery, while others will need a new one after only two years. In general, your car will usually need a new battery after three to four years.
Replacing your car battery is another part of routine maintenance. Getting your battery checked and inspected is standard for your service visits after three years, even if you haven’t needed it replaced yet.
The reason why it’s difficult to give one solid answer for how long your battery lasts is because there’s a lot of elements that can affect your battery life.
The two biggest factors that go into how long your battery lasts are your driving habits and where you live.
Inactivity can really bring down your battery’s lifespan. If you don’t drive often or you only use the car for short trips, then it’s going to weaken your battery. If you only use the car for a brief 15-minute commute, try taking the scenic route or going on a road trip sometime to help prolong the battery’s charge.
One other thing that you should pay attention to in your driving habits is leaving the power on when the ignition is off. If you leave an interior light on overnight or leave the key in the ignition, then that’s going to kill the battery quickly.
The climate where you live is the other factor to pay attention to. If you’re driving in an area where it’s hot all year, then that’s going to wear your battery down faster than driving in a colder climate.
How Much Does a Car Battery Cost?
The average cost of a car battery can range from $185 to $400, depending on the factors mentioned above. On average, a flooded lead-acid battery will cost between $185 and $300, while an AGM battery can cost between $250 and $400.
But it all depends on which one you’re getting. Generally, the amount you pay is determined by three major factors: the warranty, performance, and battery type. And while it’s clear that a good warranty adds a significant chunk to the price, the last two are not that easy to understand from the get-go.
For batteries, performance is reflected in the cold cranking amps (CCA). It is a measurement of how well they will perform in cold temperatures. This indicator shows how many amps they can deliver at 0 degrees F for 30 seconds while maintaining a specific minimum voltage. So, the more CCA the battery has, the higher the cost.
In terms of types, you can only choose between flooded lead-acid and AGM batteries. The first one has existed for some time now, while the other is a newer addition and is an overall design improvement. There is a price difference between the two, and you should always consult with someone before choosing a suitable replacement.