How Much Is a Car Battery?
We’ve all been there. You’ve driven to work and accidentally left your car’s lights on, so now it needs a jump-start to get going again. Perhaps the issue isn’t leaving your lights on, but your battery is still starting to lose its efficiency. If it’s time to replace your car battery, then you’ll likely be wondering: How much is a car battery?
The team at Ira Toyota of Manchester is here to help answer that question. We’ll provide a brief explanation of how your car battery works, signs you may need a new one, and how much that new battery is going to cost.
How Does Your Car Battery Work?
If your understanding of your car battery is that it makes your car go, then you’re not alone. Most people only know that their battery works, not how it works—and that’s fair, since it can be complicated. But our team wants you to understand the method behind the service bay, so we’re here to explain.
Your car battery is made of several parts, but the important ones to know about now are:
- The battery case
- The terminals
- Lead plates
Inside the battery case, there’s distilled water in which the lead plates are submerged. When power is given to the terminals, it electrifies the lead and a chemical reaction turns the distilled water into sulfuric acid—commonly known as “battery acid.” This creates the jolt your car needs to power the engine and all the electrical components.
What Are Signs You May Need a New Car Battery?
Most experts recommend to get your car battery replaced every six years or so. However, if you can’t remember the last time you had it replaced, then there are signs to be on the lookout for. If your car’s engine is cranking but not starting—or not cranking at all—it may be time to get the battery checked.
Maybe you’ve opened up the hood of your car and noticed some white flakes on the battery. If so, that could be an indication of corrosion. If your vehicle’s battery is corroded, then it’s definitely time to have it replaced. Other indicators that it’s time for a battery replacement are if it’s swollen, cracked or leaking.
How Much Is a Car Battery?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much a car battery is, as it very much depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year. In general, you can expect to pay from $45 to $250 for a car battery, which is a wide range. You can speak with a member of our service team to find the correct price for your make and model.
Many service centers offer battery trade-in programs that can provide a discount on your car battery by signing over your current one and putting the value toward your new one—much like trading in your car. Speak with one of our technicians to see if we have any specials running or if your battery is eligible for trade-in.
Speak With Technicians About How Much a Car Battery Is
If it’s time to replace your vehicle’s battery and you’re asking, “How much is a car battery,” let a member of the team at Ira Toyota of Manchester answer all your questions. We happily serve the Amherst, Derry, and Manchester, New Hampshire, areas, so contact us for your next battery replacement.
