We’ve all been there – you go to start your car and find out the battery is dead. Maybe you can find someone to jump your car so you can drive home, but you’re going to have to buy a new battery soon. How much is a new battery going to cost you? Keep reading to find out.
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Average Price of a New Car Battery?
A new car battery will typically cost you anywhere from $45 to $200, depending on what kind of car you drive and where you go for the service. A dealership or local auto repair shop should be able to get you a quote if you need one.
Battery Replacement Cost
Check out the cost of replacing a battery at a dealership, at Walmart, and at AutoZone
Cost To Replace Car Battery at Dealership
Getting your battery replaced at the dealership is probably going to be your most expensive option. Dealerships typically charge more than a local shop, with an average battery price well over $200, depending on the type of car.
The warranty on your battery replacement will vary depending on the dealership, so call ahead and ask in advance.
If you drive a specialty vehicle or just one that requires specialty parts, a dealership is probably your best bet. But if you drive a more common car, you could probably find a cheaper option somewhere else.
Car Battery Replacement Cost Walmart
Walmart is a great option for replacing your car battery. Depending on what car you drive and where you live, you can get a new battery at Walmart for anywhere from $55 to $360.
They also give a 3-year warranty, which means they will replace the battery for free if it dies within three years of their service.
How Much Is a New Battery for a Car AutoZone?
AutoZone offers batteries from $70 to $542. Their warranty depends on the brand – it can last anywhere from 90 days to four years.
Car Battery Replacement Labor Cost
Luckily, replacing a car battery doesn’t take too much work. The majority of the cost is going to go toward buying the battery.
Different mechanics will charge different amounts for labor and you’ll probably pay a higher rate at a dealership, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $100 for labor when installing a car battery.
How Do You Know When Your Car Needs a New Battery?
When the life of your battery is about to end, you’ll start seeing these signs.
Problems With Starting the Car
There are a variety of problems that can arise when starting your car that may indicate you need a new battery. But the most common ones are either that your engine will sputter but won’t fully start, or that it won’t sputter at all and nothing happens when you turn the key.
If your engine sputters but won’t start, you can probably get somebody to help you jump your car then drive it to your nearest auto shop or dealership to have a mechanic check it out.
If nothing happens when you turn the key – the engine doesn’t make any noise, the lights don’t turn on, etc. – then your battery is probably fully dead. You’ll likely have to get a tow to the nearest auto shop or dealership, or replace the battery yourself wherever you are.
Flickering Lights
Your dashboard is covered in a variety of lights that give you information about all kinds of things in your car – your speed, your gas levels, maintenance concerns, etc.
The lights are always on and just vary in brightness depending on whether your headlights are on. But if the lights on your dashboard begin to flicker or you have trouble seeing them consistently, there may be an issue with your battery.
Headlights Dim When the Car Is Idle
Dim headlights can simply mean you need to get the bulbs replaced. But if your headlights work fine while you’re driving, then dim while you’re sitting at a red light or stuck in traffic, and brighten back up once the car is moving again, you probably need a new battery.
Corrosion
If you don’t want to wait for a problem to arise while you’re driving, you can always pop your hood and take a look at the battery yourself. Look for any signs of corrosion or excessive build-up on the battery.
If it looks bad, consider taking your car to a mechanic for a second opinion. You may be able to spare yourself the headache of asking a stranger for a jump in a parking lot or calling roadside assistance in the middle of nowhere during a road trip.
How Much Is a New Battery for a Hybrid Car?
Batteries for hybrid cars are more expensive. They’ll typically run you a couple of thousand dollars between parts and labor – the average cost is about $2,000 to $4,000.
But don’t let the higher price tag fool you. Hybrid car batteries may cost more than the average car battery, but they also last a lot longer. The average car battery lasts about 3 to 5 years, while the average hybrid battery lasts 8 to 10 years.
How Much Is a New Battery for an Electric Car?
Just like with the hybrids, batteries for electric cars are expensive. They’re the most expensive part of an electric car, and they typically cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000.
Also, like the hybrids, electric car batteries typically last 8 to 10 years.
Car Battery Replacement Service at Home
If you want to save a few bucks on labor, you can install your own car battery at home. Here’s a video to help show you how.
Best place to buy car battery
If you’re looking to buy a new car battery, we recommend buying it from one of the following:
- Dealership
- Walmart
- AutoZone
