How Often Should You Replace a Car Battery?

Ever wonder, “How often should a car battery be replaced?” Many car experts agree you should change your battery every 4-5 years, though that time frame depends on several factors that affect battery life. Learn more about how often to replace a car battery with Wolfchase Nissan. Then, be sure to check out our other service tips, like how to jump start your car.

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery?

Usually, an average car battery can cost between $75 and $120, but a premium battery can cost up to $200. Hybrid batteries can cost even more, typically ranging between $1000 and $2000, but the high cost can usually be offset by the higher fuel efficiency. For a price quote on your specific model, be sure to contact our service team directly.

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

Wondering how to know if your car battery needs to be replaced? The following symptoms could all be indicative of the need for a replacement battery:

• 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

How to Test a Car Battery

Learn how to test a car battery by following these steps, or ask to have your battery tested at your next service appointment:

The Headlight Test:

1. Turn on the engine, keep the car in park, and make sure the headlights are on.
2. Rev the engine, and see if the headlight brightness changes.
3. If the headlights get brighter, that means the current is not strong enough to keep the lights at normal brightness while the car is idling.
4. Bring your car to the service center at Wolfchase Nissan to be tested further.

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. Have someone turn on the headlights and check the voltmeter reading.
5. At 80℉, 12.5 volts or higher means your battery is fully charged. 12.3 volts means it’s at about 75% charged.11.8 volts or lower means you have 25% or less charge.

Schedule Car Battery Replacement at Wolfchase Nissan

Contact us at Wolfchase Nissan with any questions! Schedule a service appointment for your next tire rotation, oil change, or battery replacement.