How Often to Replace a Car Battery

How often should you replace your car battery? Experts generally agree that you should replace it about every 4-5 years, but there are a number of factors that can either lengthen or shorten battery life. There are also warning signs to be aware of that means it’s time to get your battery replaced so your San Francisco-area vehicle can keep running in top condition. The service team at Victory Toyota of San Bruno has put together a guide with all the details on car battery replacement, including how to test the battery, how to know if it needs replacing, and how much replacements typically cost. 

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

Here are some of the most common signs that your battery is in need of replacing:

• Dimming headlights
• More frequent need for engine revving or jump starts
• Takes longer to start the engine when you turn the key/push the button
• Unusual power fluctuations

What Causes Car Battery Deterioration?

• Heat: If you live in a hot climate, the hot weather will evaporate the liquids inside your car battery, making it wear out faster.
• Vibrations: Vibrations are a common cause of battery parts breaking down prematurely, so you may have to replace your battery more often if you frequently drive over rough terrain.
• Needing a Jump: Frequently jump-starting your car from leaving the lights on or the engine idly significantly shortens your battery life.
• Time: As with any car part, eventually your car battery will wear out and need replacing. However, you can extend its lifespan and prevent early wearing out with proper care.

Your owner’s manual or your Oakland-area service center’s maintenance schedule will give you a clearer idea of when to replace your battery, although 4 to 5 years is the common wisdom.

How to Test a Car Battery

When it comes to testing your car battery’s strength, you have two options: you can have it checked during your car’s twice-annual regular maintenance visit, or you can DIY it using the two methods below:

The Headlight Test: 

1. Make sure your car is in park, then turn on the engine and the headlights.
2. Rev the engine and check the headlights. Did the brightness change?
3. If your headlights brightened after revving the engine, then your battery’s current is not strong enough to keep your lights at their normal brightness while the car is idling.
4. If this is the case, bring your car to a service center so it can be taken care of by an expert.

Using a Digital Multimeter:

1. Set the voltmeter to 20 DC volts.
2. Under the hood, touch the negative terminal (black) with the negative meter probe (also black).
3. Touch the positive terminal (red) with the positive meter probe (also red).
4. Turn on the headlights and check the voltmeter reading for the following numbers.
5. At 80℉, 12.5 volts or higher indicates a full battery charge. 12.3 volts means a 75% charge.11.8 volts or lower means you have 25% or less charge and should get your battery replaced as soon as possible. 

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery? 

The cost of a replacement battery ranges depending on the type. Regular batteries usually cost between $75 and $100, while premium batteries can run you up to $200. If you drive a hybrid, expect to pay quite a bit more – anywhere between $1,000 and $6,000. This is much more expensive than a gasoline-powered car’s battery, but the cost is offset by fuel savings so it evens out a bit.

Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape at Victory Toyota of San Bruno

Feel free to reach out to our office with any questions, or for more information about the routine services that we offer including battery replacement and much more! You can schedule a service appointment right from our website and bring your car into our dealership near Burlingame to get it inspected.