How Often to Replace a Car Battery

If you know how often you should change a car battery, you can avoid one of life’s most common inconveniences: a car that won’t start! Most car batteries last four to five years, but since a number of important factors can have an impact on your total battery life, you should learn how to know if your car battery needs to be replaced.

Now that you know how often you should change a car battery, learn about the signs that you need a new car battery and how to test a car battery yourself. And if you find yourself in need of battery service in Turnersville, contact our service center for a Cadillac battery replacement.

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

There are several telltale signs that you need a new car battery. Here’s what you’ll want to look for on your adventures throughout Sicklerville and Mullica Hill:

• Headlights that aren’t as bright as they used to be
• A start-up that is slower when you turn the key or press the start button
• Unusual power fluctuations with your electronic systems or connected devices
• Your vehicle has required a jump start more than once in recent memory

Before you stop into our parts department and pick up a new battery, or reach out to our garage for battery service in Turnersville, it may be helpful to have your vehicle inspected. If your Cadillac battery has expired long before its time, you may be dealing with a failing alternator instead.

How to Test a Car Battery

So, you want to determine if your car battery is really the cause of your electrical woes. Although you can always ask to have your battery inspected as part of a regular service visit, it’s easy enough to test a car battery at home in Williamstown. If you visit our parts department and pick up a digital multimeter, you can get an accurate read on your battery’s power level today. The steps to test your battery include:

1. Set the voltmeter to 20 DC volts and open up the hood of the vehicle.
2. Press the black probe to the negative battery terminal, and then do the same with the red probe and the positive terminal.
3. Have a friend or a neighbor turn on your headlights, and get your reading.
4. If your power output is reading at 12.3 volts or higher, you probably have nothing to worry about. If your power level is 11.8 volts or lower, you’re running with–at best–a 25% charge.

In a pinch, you can also test your car battery using nothing but your headlights:

1. Turn the vehicle on and make sure you’re in the park! Then turn the headlights on.
2. Rev the engine gently. If you see a change in the brightness of your headlights, your battery is leaning on your alternator, and it should be replaced as soon as possible.

What Causes Car Battery Deterioration?

Time is the most important cause of car battery depreciation. A battery can only go through so many charge cycles, and that’s why those wondering how often to change a car battery usually get an answer of four to five years. With that said, time isn’t the only factor that will impact your battery’s lifespan:

• Excessive heat will cause a battery’s internal fluids to evaporate.
• Excessive cold can drain a battery’s charge, so it’s smart to inspect or replace your battery before winter hits.
• Excessive vibrations can also take a toll on your battery’s internal components. If you frequently drive on rough roads, your battery may not last as long as it could.
• Frequent jump starts are bad, since charging all the way back up from 0% takes a significant toll on your battery.

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery?

How much is a replacement car battery at Cadillac Of Turnersville? Although you could choose an aftermarket substitute, you’ll enjoy better, longer-lasting performance by choosing an approved OEM product from our parts department. If you choose not to schedule installation, you can expect to pay between $75 and $200 for a standard car battery. Of course, we’d be happy to help dispose of your old battery and put the new one in its place. Explore our service and parts specials to find out if today’s your day.

Schedule Battery Replacement with Cadillac Of Turnersville

If you think you might be in need of a new car battery, schedule a battery service in Turnersville, and let us take a look! We can look for signs you need a new car battery, and perform a Cadillac battery replacement if necessary. And if you’re ready to tackle another DIY car care task at home, don’t wait to check out our other service tips and tricks.