Is your battery icon lit or blinking? Then you need to read this article containing info on car batteries, identifying when you need to get new ones, and other more.
Every Detail You Need to Know About Car Battery Replacement Cost in 2023
Cars are an important part of our lives. Many of us depend on our cars for our daily commutes, so we need them to be functioning and running at all times.
Today, we shall prepare you for car battery replacement since car battery failures are one of the most common reasons why cars may stop working.
Why Do You Need To Replace A Car Battery?
Batteries are an integral part of a vehicle. Without it, a vehicle is practically useless because if your battery dies or stops working, your car will also stop running.
Moreover, batteries are sensitive things. One thing can lead to another, and your entire car may catch on fire or blow up! While this may sound farfetched, it is totally possible and happens more frequently than you’d want to think.
Batteries are perishable by nature. They decay with time, so they can and will eventually stop working.
A general rule of thumb is to replace batteries every 3-4 years. Besides aging, other factors may cause batteries to fail as well, for instance:
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Dead or bad cells
- Battery dried up
- Lack of electrolytes
- Worn down terminals
- Corrosion
- Charging malfunctions
- External damage
How To Know If Your Car Battery Needs To Be Replaced or Changed?
If you notice any of the following signs, then your car’s battery needs to be changed or replaced as soon as possible:
- The Low Battery Fluid indicator or the regular Battery indicator is on
- The Check Engine light is on
- It is gradually taking you more time to start up your car
- The lights in your car have all become less bright and dimmed
- There is a sulphury or rusty smell inside your car
- The battery looks swollen
- The battery has cracks or leaks
- It has been 3 years since you last checked your car’s battery
What Are The Cost of Car Batteries?
Many factors determine the cost of car batteries. For instance:
- The Model Of The Car
Usually, the more luxurious a car is, the more you can expect the battery replacement price to be. In general, you should be prepared to pay anywhere between $100 and $350 for the battery only.
- The Year Your Car Was Manufactured
Unsurprisingly, the older a vehicle is, the cheaper the battery will be. However, in some cases, the battery costs for older cars can go up, and the reason for that is scarcity and/or discontinuation of that particular battery model.
- The Situation
Depending on the urgency, the circumstances, etc., battery replacement prices can increase. But don’t think the price of the battery goes up; the installation fees and costs of other resources go up.
For instance, if your car stops working in the middle of nowhere and you don’t have an emergency kit with you, you will be forced to pay extra for both the kit and the inconvenience of the mechanic.
- The Kind Of Battery
Depending on what kind of battery your car requires, prices can be low or expensive. However, in most cases, less demanding batteries cost less, while batteries that require extra juice are typically more expensive.
How Much Does a Car Battery Replacement Cost?
Battery replacement costs depend on a wide range of factors, like:
- Brand of your car
- Model of your car
- Availability and the situation
To give you an idea, here in Australia, a 12v battery usually costs around $100-$150. In comparison, you can expect to pay $150-$1500 for premium batteries.
On top of all this, any additional problems you or the mechanic may encounter related to the battery and charging system or any relevant part of the car can be added to the total bill for the battery replacement.
How Much Is The Installation Charge For Car Battery Replacements?
Depending on the circumstances, the service and installation charges can go up or down; however, the mechanics usually charge you anywhere between $10-$100 as the installation fee.
Battery Replacement Checklist
To set up an appointment for an urgent battery replacement request, you need the following information:
- Details about your car
- Your budget
- Resources you can provide
- Diagnosis details (if any)
- The location of your vehicle and any special requirements
What Are The Steps Involved In Replacing A Car Battery?
- Acquire The Correct Battery
Batteries are not universal, meaning every car requires a specific type of battery to function and run. When you call a professional and tell them about your problem, they will first manage the appropriate battery.
- Removing The Existing Battery
To remove the existing battery, first, the old battery needs to be disconnected. To disconnect it, ensure that the vehicle is turned off and unclip the cables attached to the two terminals.
- Applying Anti-Corrosion
Sometimes anti-corrosive compounds are used on the terminals where the cable attaches to the battery to prevent it from decaying and rusting away.
- Installing The New Battery
Lastly, the cables are attached to the terminals of the new battery, and bam! You are done, mate!
Battery Replacements For EVs or Electic Vehicles
You may be surprised to know that, in the case of electric vehicles, the costs for battery replacement are sky-high! In fact, batteries are often the most expensive part of an Electic vehicle.
More shockingly, the battery cost is often more than half the cost of the vehicle itself.
If you want to know more about the cost of batteries for electric vehicles, you should read this extensive article on the subject.
Conclusion
Car batteries can fail for any number of reasons and at any time. Thus, it’s important to know all about car batteries, especially car battery replacement costs.
In this article, we tried to give you a quick and detailed primer on the subject. We hope that it has made you more confident about identifying when you need to replace your car batteries, identifying the right car batteries, and the costs associated with replacement.