How Often to Replace a Car Battery

Learning how often to replace a car battery can be a little tricky. Most experts recommend getting your replacement every four or five years, but some batteries don’t last that long. Curious how to know if your car battery needs to be replaced? Watch for the following warning signs:

• Headlights become dimmer.
• Car needs more frequent jump starts.
• Engine takes much longer to warm up.
• Strange power fluctuations occur.

Why Do Batteries Die?

• Climate: Hot weather in Stamford can affect the liquids inside the battery, which causes the battery to break down.
• Movement: If your battery isn’t securely fastened in the car or you drive through a lot of rocky terrain in Greenwich, those vibrations can shorten your battery lifespan.
• Emergency Care: Too many jump starts are hard on a battery, so limit your idling in the cold weather!
• Time: Batteries simply degrade with time, even with the best care.

How to Test a Car Battery

Your service technicians at Garavel CJDR know how to test a car battery with precision, but if you want to troubleshoot at home, try one of the following:

• Headlight Test: Turn on your engine with the car in park. Rev your engine and watch the headlights. If they get brighter, your battery is not fully charged.
• Digital Multimeter: Purchase a digital multimeter and set it to 20 DC volts. Take a reading according to the directions. Your battery is fully charged at 12.5 volts and only 25% charged at 11.8 volts.

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery?

If you’re working out your maintenance budget, how much is a replacement car battery? On average, you can budget between $75 and $120 in the Bridgeport area for a new battery. If you want to splurge at the service department, premium batteries cost around $200. Hybrid models are more expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $1,600, but the fuel costs typically offset the high price of the battery.

Get Expert Car Care with Garavel CJDR

Need your car battery tested or replaced? Schedule your service with us today. We can handle all of your auto maintenance and repair, as well as provide service tips on things like how to change a car tire. If you have any questions, please contact us.