How Often to Replace a Car Battery

Even if you haven’t made the decision to upgrade with an EV or a hybrid, you’ll need to make sure that your vehicle’s battery is functioning as intended. All car batteries wear down over time, and knowing how often to replace a car battery can help to reduce the chance that you’ll need an emergency jump start at some point down the line. Most car batteries only need to be replaced once every four to five years, but since many factors can impact a battery’s life span, it’s important to know the signs that you’re due for a change. We’ve laid out everything you need to know.

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

If you’ve been experiencing unusual power fluctuations or dealing with malfunctioning electronic systems in your vehicle, there are several possible root causes. A problem with your vehicle’s wiring or its alternator could be contributing to the issue, but it’s also possible that your battery is reaching the end of its life.

So, how can you know if your battery needs to be replaced? Testing your vehicle with a multimeter is one option, but you should also pay close attention to your headlights. If they seem dim, but get brighter when you rev your engine, it’s a sure sign that your battery is weak, and relying on your alternator to pick up the slack.

How to Test a Car Battery

You can perform a basic headlight test by revving your engine gently while your car is in park. If you notice changes in the intensity of your lights, don’t wait to schedule service.

However, it’s also a good idea to learn how to test a car battery more accurately. If you’ve picked up a digital multimeter from our parts department in Englewood, you can perform the following check at any time:

1. Make sure that your multimeter is set to 20 DC volts.
2. Put on safety goggles and gloves, then open the hood.
3. Touch the black (negative) meter probe to the black (negative) battery terminal. Then do the same with the red (positive) probe and terminal.
4. Although temperature can cause some fluctuations in output, a reading of 12.5 volts or higher generally indicates that your battery is fully charged or in good condition. At 12.3 volts, your battery has roughly 75% of its charge remaining. If the reading is 11.8 volts or lower, your battery has 25% of its charge remaining, at best.

If you’re dealing with a hybrid or EV battery, a dying battery might lead to declining fuel economy or a lower maximum range. If your vehicle doesn’t seem to be performing like it used to, bring it into our service center and let us take a look.

What Causes Car Battery Deterioration?

If you want your car battery to last as long as possible, you should know that all of the following factors can reduce a battery’s total lifespan.

• If you’ve ever had to jump-start your current battery, it’s likely to expire more quickly than average.
• Extreme heat can cause the fluids inside of your battery to evaporate, leading to a shorter lifespan. Extreme cold can suck the last bit of life out of a dying battery, so it’s not a bad idea to schedule service when the seasons change in Fort Lee.
• Intense vibrations can cause your battery’s internal parts to break down more quickly than they otherwise would. If you often go off-roading or drive on rougher roads, you should replace your battery more frequently.

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery?

Car batteries for gas-powered vehicles tend to cost between $75 and $200, depending on the quality of the product that you decide to purchase. How much is a replacement car battery on a hybrid or an EV? These components are much more expensive, but they are often covered by long-lasting warranties. Give us a call or visit our Englewood dealership to learn more!

Land Rover Englewood is Here to Help With Your Battery Service Needs!

Whether you know your battery needs to be replaced or you’d just like an expert to take a look, we’re here to help with your next steps. Our dealership is easy to reach from anywhere near Fort Lee or New York City, and we offer rotating service specials that you can explore from home.