How Much Should A Car Battery Cost?

A car battery is arguably the most essential component of your vehicle, providing the necessary power to start the engine and run various electrical systems. However, like any other part of a car, a battery will eventually need to be replaced.

But how much does a car battery cost? In this article, we’ll explore the factors that affect the cost of a car battery and provide some tips on how to save money on a replacement.

What Does the Car Battery Do?

The first purpose of an car battery is to provide power for starting your vehicle. It also acts as a surge protector for the car’s computer and provides power for short-term use of things like lights, stereo, GPS or wipers when the engine is off.

Talk about a pretty huge responsibility. Without battery power, your car, as you’ve probably noticed, won’t start.

Let’s take a look at how that powerful little box works:

• A chemical reaction puts your car in action: Your battery converts chemical energy into the electrical energy necessary to power your car, delivering voltage to the starter.
• Keep the electric current steady: Not only does your battery provide the energy required to start your car, it’s also stabilizing the voltage (that’s the term for the energy supply) in order to keep your engine running. A lot’s riding on the battery. Call it the ‘little box that could.’

Signs Your Battery Is Failing

As the battery plays such a significant role, it should be easy to spot if there’s an issue. However, just in case, let’s look at common symptoms of batteries on the fritz.

If something is wrong with your battery, you may experience the following:

• Slow engine crank. Whenever you start the vehicle, the engine cranking is sluggish and takes longer than usual to start.
• Check engine light. The check engine light sometimes illuminates when battery power is too weak. Then there are also the engine coolant lights, which can turn on for the same reason.
• Low battery fluid level. Your battery should always have a translucent case part, so you can check the coolant level. Alternatively, you could remove the red and black caps if they are not sealed.
• Swollen or bloated battery case. Excessive heat could cause your battery case to bloat drastically and decrease battery life.
• Unpleasant smell. It is also possible for the smell of rotting eggs to appear. The cause is usually the leaks in the battery that may even cause corrosion around the ports (where + and – cables are located). You may also need to replace the gunk, or the car won’t start.

Generally, every battery used for three or more years should be inspected. However, your driving habits, weather conditions, and frequent short trips can change that and shorten the life cycle. In those cases, you will have to go for a replacement.

Factors that Impact the Cost of a Car Battery

How much should a car battery cost? Depending on power, size, and quality, prices for a replacement car battery range from about $45 to $250. Your local dealership, auto parts store or automotive service center can check your current battery or hook you up with a new car battery.

Here are a few factors that can affect the cost of a traditional car battery.

Size

The standard battery group sizes are 24, 65 and 75. Batteries that are larger or a unique size are likely to cost more.

Technology

Traditional batteries can use different technology to give your car juice:

• Lead-acid flooded batteries. Also known as wet cell batteries, these tend to be the cheapest option because they have a shorter life and do not perform as well in rough conditions, like extreme temperatures.
• Absorbent glass mat batteries. Also known as dry cell batteries, these provide more power and tend to have longer battery life. They are also more stable and cost more.
• Gel batteries. These are similar to absorbent glass mat batteries in performance and price. They don’t require maintenance and can survive rough conditions.

Performance In Cold Weather

Batteries often have a rating for how well they perform in cold weather, known as cold cranking amps. If you drive your car in colder temperatures, you’ll likely want a battery with a higher cold cranking amps rating, which will cost more.

Warranty

There are two types of battery warranties: limited warranties and replacement warranties. The limited warranty will reimburse you for a prorated percentage of the battery’s original price if it fails during the warranty period.

For example, if a battery has a five-year limited warranty, and it dies after two years, you’d get 60 percent of your money refunded.

A replacement warranty covers the entire replacement cost of the battery. If you have a five-year replacement warranty, and the battery dies within that five-year window, you can replace it with another battery from the same manufacturer.

Some batteries offer a replacement warranty for a short time period and a limited warranty for a longer period. Also, unless you plan to sell your car in less than two years, it’s a good idea to buy a battery with a longer warranty. It will cost more upfront but will save you in the long run.

Related Posts: 7 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Car Battery

How Much Should a Car Battery Cost?

A car battery price can range between 100-200 dollars. 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.

Discounted battery options

• Rebuilt, refurbished and reconditioned batteries: Some companies will take old batteries and rebuild them or recondition them. This allows the batteries to be recharged and resold as a cheaper alternative to purchasing a new battery. While they might not last as long as a new battery, rebuilt or reconditioned batteries can sometimes offer one to three years of power for less than the price of a new battery.
• Used batteries: A used battery offers a great deal of savings over a new battery, in some cases costing as little as half the new battery’s value. But used batteries can come with issues that can damage your car, such as leaking fluids. You also have no way of knowing how much life is left in a used battery.

Installation

If you have a mechanic or a roadside assistance company like AAA install a battery, you’re likely going to pay a labor fee that can range from $20 up to $100.

But you can avoid this additional cost by installing the battery yourself or purchasing the battery from a car parts store that offers free installation with a battery purchase.

FAQs.