How Often to Replace a Car Battery

Wondering how often to replace a car battery? According to most experts, your vehicle’s battery should be replaced every 4-5 years. However, its lifespan can be affected by several factors. Learn how to know if your car battery needs to be replaced and how to test a car battery in the guide below from the service pros at Joe Basil Chevrolet. 

How to Know if Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

Keep an eye out for these warning signs in Buffalo. They could indicate that your battery needs to be replaced in the near future. 

• Dimming headlights
• More frequent need for engine revving or jump starts
• Takes longer to start the engine when you turn the key/push the button
• Unusual power fluctuations

Factors that Lead to Battery Deterioration 

• Heat: Warm weather leads to the evaporation of liquids inside a car battery, which can shorten its lifespan.
• Vibrations: Do you encounter a lot of rough terrain in Cheektowaga?If your battery’s hold-down clamps are loose, vibrations can cause internal battery parts to break down at a more rapid pace.
• Needing a Jump: Having to jump-start your car on one or more occasions in Lancaster can cause the battery to wear down prematurely. 
• Time: A car battery can only go through so many charge cycles before it needs to be replaced. 

How to Test a Car Battery

Not sure how to test a car battery? Try either method listed below: 

The Headlight Test: 

1. Turn on the engine and keep the car in park. Turn on the headlights. 
2. Rev the engine to see if the brightness changes. 
3. Do your headlights get brighter? If so, the current is not strong enough to keep the lights at normal brightness while the car is idling. 
4. Have your vehicle looked at by the service department at Joe Basil Chevrolet to see if a new battery is needed. 

Using a Digital Multimeter:

1. Set the voltmeter to 20 DC volts.
2. Pop open the hood and touch the negative terminal (black) with the negative meter probe (also black).
3. Touch the positive terminal (red) with the positive meter probe (also red).
4. Have someone assist you by turning on the headlights while you check the voltmeter reading.
5. At 80℉, 12.5 volts or higher means your battery is fully charged. 12.3 volts means it’s at about 75% charged.11.8 volts or lower means you have 25% or less charge. 

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery? 

How much is a replacement battery in Depew? For most drivers, the cost of a car battery will range around $75 to $120. If you have a premium battery that price may be closer to $200. If you drive a hybrid, which features a much larger battery, the cost can be anywhere between $1,000 and $6,000.

Maintain Your Car’s Battery with Joe Basil Chevrolet

If you have questions about car battery care, or routine maintenance in general, do not hesitate to reach out to the team at Joe Basil Chevrolet.