Looking to change your current car battery? Not sure how much does a car battery cost?
Well, in most cases – if you’ve already changed it once, it’s much easier to change the second time. But for the sake of this article – let’s presume that you don’t even know what kind of battery you have.
Keep reading to find out what factors into the price of a car battery.
What Sort of Car Battery Do You Need?
Alright, so a car battery has a rating. And it is rated based on Amp Hours and Cold Cranking Amps. Amp Hours is the length of time that a battery can function without a recharge. And Cold Cranking Amps is the power output that your battery possesses to start your engine during cold weather conditions.
These are just two things to consider, which will determine if a battery is right for your make, size, and model of your car. As a larger engine and diesel vehicle will need more Cranking Amps than a smaller engine.
There’s no reason to spend money on a battery you don’t need, so it’s best to determine the correct car battery sizes for your vehicle.
Type Of Car Battery And Average Price
Now let’s take a look at some specific car battery types and their average prices.
Lead Acid Batteries
These are quite common. Rather durable, and affordable to replace. They usually range around 20000 starts and come with a three-year guarantee.
In general, you can find lead-acid batteries, starting with $60 up to $140. However, some of them come with advanced fluid regulation, costing up to $250.
Calcium Batteries
These are more durable than the previous category and have about 17 percent more starting power. Within their lifespan, 30000 starts are not uncommon.
They are only slightly more expensive, so expect about a 20 percent bump over the lead-acid category.
Silver Calcium Batteries
These are provided with a longer guarantee than both prior and provide over 50000 starts with a 30 percent increase in starting power over the lead-acid option.
Once again, expect a non-significant bump in the price of about 15 percent over the calcium battery, and 30 percent over lead-acid.
Depending on the use of advanced technologies, the price may increase substantially.
Specialized Car Batteries
Disregarding the information above, if you have a complex vehicle with advanced start/stop technology. These vehicles will require a more specialized car battery.
And in most cases, these modern batteries come with 360000 starts, and more. Making them quite reliable for your use case
EFB – Enhanced Flooded Battery
This is a more entry-level advanced battery, which provides advanced performance in a variety of car starting/supporting features. The primary benefits of EFB technology are improved charge acceptance and greater cyclic durability when operating in a reduced state of charge.
AGM – Absorbent Glass Mat
AGM are heavy-duty, and cannot be interchanged with AFB or ECM batteries. They require a software configuration when replaced. A typical AGM battery costs at least $200.
However, installation requires specialized help, which adds-on to the price by whatever the mechanic charges.
A mechanic might charge, anywhere from $10 to $150 to install a car battery, depending on location and length of time it will take.
So What Else Determines The Price of Car Batteries?
As mentioned earlier – the estimated lifespan is probably the major factor for car batter price. However, size also plays a part in the equation.
Most batteries are estimated to last up to 4 years, whereas more expensive brands can last more than 6 years.
In addition, the type of vehicle you drive, and specific requirements such as cold resistance, corrosion prevention, etc – will play into the cost.
Anything that is above the standard assumption will increase the price. So if you want more features, you have to pay more. If you want a heavier battery, you have to pay more.
The bottom line is: if you want a better battery, you have to pay a better price.
What Causes Battery Lifespan to Decrease?
For the final part of this article, we thought it would be nice to include the factors that decrease your battery lifespan. So that you can become aware and perhaps mitigate the natural causes of lifespan depletion.
For example, extreme temperature drains the battery much faster. Heat causes evaporation, damaging the internals. Whereas, the cold thickens the oil, making it harder for the battery to start.
Corrosion is a good sign of electrical damage, so if you see the slightest speck of it – you are in for a treat. However, occasional removal of corrosion from terminal parts is a great way to extend the car battery lifespan.
Corrosion cleaning agents can be bought at an auto part store, making the experience safe and effective.
So How Much Does a Car Battery Cost? Depends
Without knowing your car make, model, and specific requirements – a real price cannot be identified today. However, as you have witnessed for yourself, a good estimate has been provided on the basis of various factors.
How much does a car battery cost? Depends. Factors such as size, weight, features, type of battery – all play into the final price of the battery. Not to mention that usually, you will have a specialist install the battery, which adds a little bit on top for the work completed.
In any case, considering the length of time that a battery usually lasts – it is very affordable, no matter what type of battery you have.
You get what you pay for – so don’t try to save a couple of hundred bucks on a product that will last you years. Making your driving experience more enjoyable and secure.
Good luck in your search!
