Learning about every part inside your car, truck, or SUV would be almost impossible. There are thousands of parts in the average vehicle, so it's OK to become more familiar with every last one. But you should know about your car battery. The battery in your car is, after all, one of its most essential components. Here’s everything you need to know about car batteries.
What Does a Car Battery Do?
EverStart Car Batteries by Mike Mozart is licensed with CC BY 2.0
Most people understand the importance of a car battery. They know that if their car battery gives out on them, they won't be able to start their vehicle. But people are sometimes still determining exactly what a car battery does. So what exactly is its role in your car?
First and foremost, a car battery provides your car's starter with the electrical power it needs to get your car going. When you turn your key in your car's ignition or press the start button, the car battery sends electrical power to the starter and allows you to start your vehicle. But there are other things your car battery does.
While your car is running, your car battery also supplies electrical power to other components if your electrical system can't keep up with the demand. Additionally, your car battery works with your car's alternator to recharge itself, so it has enough electrical power to start your car the next time you need to use it.
How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
Now that you have a better idea of how a car battery works, let's talk about the lifespan of a car battery and answer the question, "How long do car batteries last?" Every car battery will have a slightly different lifespan. But generally speaking, most car batteries will last you somewhere between three to five years before you need to replace them.
That being said, some things can cause a car battery to conk out on you sooner than that. For example, if you take short trips in your car, you might wear your car battery down quicker than you would otherwise. You might also wear your car battery down faster than usual if you live in a place that gets either very hot or very cold at different times of the year.
When Should You Replace a Car Battery?
A few signs suggest that you consider replacing your car battery. You should give car battery replacement some thought if your battery has been in your car for more than five years. You'll be better off doing that than allowing your car battery to drain to nothing and having it die on you at the worst possible time.
You should also think about replacing a car battery if:
- You routinely need help getting your car to start.
- There’s a strange smell coming from the area of your car battery.
- You see a car battery light appear on your dashboard.
Whatever you do, don't put off replacing your car battery for too long. You might pay the price if you turn a blind eye to any signs we discussed.
How Much Should I Pay For a New Car Battery?
The good news for those needing a new car battery is that you shouldn't have to break the bank to get your hands on one. A car battery costs you a lot less than you expect. So how much should you pay for a replacement car battery?
You might be looking at spending as little as $50 on the low end of the spectrum. But often, this will be for a car battery from a brand you've never heard of before. It is well worth spending between $150 and $200 to get a car battery from a trusted brand you know you can count on.
What Brand Is the Best Car Battery?
About 100 million car batteries are replaced in the U.S. every year. Because of this, there are so many different brands that specialize in selling car batteries. All of them are trying to secure a piece of the pie regarding car battery sales.
You should avoid no-name companies selling car batteries that we talked about a moment ago and instead go with one of the brands known for producing high-quality car batteries. Some of these trusted brands include:
- ACDelco.
- DieHard.
- Odyssey.
- EverStart.
- Optima.
It's difficult to answer the question, "What brand is the best car battery?" definitively because there are many options. But you should always go with a car battery from a name you know you can trust.
Where Can I Replace My Car Battery?
If you would like to replace a car battery on your own, you're welcome to try to do it. But it’s a good idea to bring your car to a Honda service center to have one of our expert staff members inspect your car battery and let you know whether you need a new one in the first place. They can test your existing car battery to see its condition and recommend a new one if it needs replacing.
Reach Out to Us To Test a Car Battery or Install a New One
Is your car battery on the older side, or has it started to cause you problems? If so, consider having your car battery tested and possibly replaced with a new one.
You can bring your vehicle to our service center to test your car's battery. If it needs replacing, we can show your options for your replacement car battery and give you an excellent price on your new car battery and the installation services you'll need to put it into place.
Contact us now to schedule a Honda car battery service.
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