How Often to Replace a Car Battery

Do you want to know how often to replace a car battery? If you’re looking to replace your car battery, you may be wondering” how much is a replacement car battery, and “how to test a car battery. In our comprehensive guide on how often to replace a car battery, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about battery replacement. On average, it’s recommended to replace your car battery every 4-5 years. Learn more about how often to replace a car battery with the experts at Acura of Ocean in Ocean! For more information, feel free to contact us anytime!

When Does Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced?

There are various warning signs that could mean that your battery needs to be replaced. Here are some of the most common:

• Dimming headlights
• You often need to jump start the vehicle or notice engine revving.
• It takes a while for the engine to turn over
• Unusual power fluctuations

What Are The Main Causes of Car Battery Deterioration?

• Heat: When the weather is warm, the heat causes the various liquids to evaporate. Therefore, if you live in a warmer climate, your battery may need to be replaced sooner. 
• Vibrations: If you have an all-terrain vehicle or drive on rough roads, it could cause your battery clamps to loosen, putting more wear and tear on the battery.
• Needing a Jump: If you tried starting your car and needed a jump from someone, this could shorten your battery life, as it was completely drained.
• Time: Car batteries often only have a certain number of charge cycles, therefore, after a few years, it will have to be replaced. It is important to note that maintaining your battery properly can significantly prolong its life.

How to Test a Car Battery

We recommend that you schedule a service appointment with us so that our technicians can test your Acura battery near Red Bank. Although, if you want to do this yourself in your Freehold driveway, these are the steps you should take:

Testing The Headlights: 

1. Start the vehicle, place the car in park, and switch on the headlights.
2. Give the engine a little rev and look to see if the brightness of the headlights change.
3. If the lights get brighter after you rev, the battery current is not sufficient enough to power the headlights while the vehicle is in idle. 
4. If this is the case, we recommend stopping into our service center near Asbury Park to get the issue resolved by one of our technicians.

 Digital MultimeterTest:

1. A good rule of thumb is to set the voltmeter to 20 DC volts.
2. Open the hood and place the meter probe on the negative back terminal, The meter on the probe should also be black, and match the battery terminal. 
3. Now you can connect the red positive probe to the red positive terminal. 
4. Get a helper, and ask them to turn the headlights on so you can read the multimeter reading.. 
5. When the meter hits 12.5 volts, which is about 80℉, this means your battery is completely charged and ready to go. If it reads 12.3 volts, it has a 75% charge, and at 11.8 volts or lower, your battery is either at 25% or less. 

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery?

So, how much is a replacement car battery? On average, it can cost anywhere from $74 to $120. This depends on the type of battery you buy, and what the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends. If you buy a more expensive battery, which in some cases can cost up to $200, it will provide better performance and experience greater longevity. If you have a hybrid vehicle, the battery could cost significantly more, anywhere between $1,000 and $6,000. 

Get Your Battery Replaced at Acura of Ocean!

Now that you know how often to replace a car battery, come visit our experienced service department to have one of our technicians decide if it’s time for a replacement. If you want to replace the battery yourself, visit our parts department to pick one up, and be sure to take advantage of our parts specials!