A lead car battery can last anywhere from two to five years, but many will become worn down by the third year of use. Depending on your vehicle and how much you use it you may be able to squeeze a little more out of it. With proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your battery somewhat, but eventually, you will need to replace it. Here is a rundown on affordable car batteries and a few facts you may not know.
When purchasing a battery for your car, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $100 or more. Some batteries that are considered “premium” batteries will run you $120 to $150. Not all batteries are created equal. There are over 40 different types of batteries in an affordable car battery. Some batteries may last longer because they contain more and better materials.
A lead-acid battery costs around $125 on average, but if you catch a well-timed sale, you could net one for $60 or so. Battery costs are determined by what the battery is made from. Some batteries are designed for cold climates and tend to be more expensive. AGM or absorbent glass mat batteries, which come in higher-end vehicles to run the on-board computer software, tend to be quite costly. These will run you close to $200 for one.
If you’re familiar with rechargeable batteries you’ll know that a battery is good for only so many cycles or charges. When a battery is charged over and over and over, it loses some of its efficiency. Eventually, it will start running down sooner, you’ll have to charge more frequently, and that is how you will know that your affordable car battery is nearing the end of its usefulness. If you have taken good care of it up to this point ( and you live somewhere it’s relatively cool) you’ve probably had good use out of it for around 4 - 5 years and it is time to replace it.
If you have a newer vehicle with a lot of high-tech enhancements you will use more battery. The on-board computer, clock, radio, alarm system and some of the other components still drain power from the battery even when the engine is turned off. Here are a few things to avoid to keep from draining your Affordable Car Battery.
A short in the wiring
A defective alternator
Driving short distances
Leaving your lights on
Loose battery connections
Extremely high temperatures
Keep it fully charged
Don’t leave lights on or things plugged in too long
Have your mechanic inspect it every time you have service
Visit Texas Battery in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Battery has high quality batteries that last and can even install batteries for you. Visit Texas Battery at 3810 Avenue A in Lubbock Texas, give them a call at 806-762-6913, or even ask a question online.