The Average Cost to Replace a Car Battery Is $79-$496 Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance may also be needed. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, check out the FIXD Sensor and free app.
Get a more accurate estimate
For a more accurate cost estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the FIXD Sensor and free app.
TRY FIXD FOR $19.99!Cost at the Mechanic: $115 – $496
- Parts: $79 – $450
- Labor: $36 – $46
Batteries can often last longer than their manufacturer warranty when properly maintained, but you should still have the battery tested and inspected occasionally to prevent any unforeseen issues. You can test your battery voltage at home using the FIXD Sensor and free app, as well as track the life of your battery so you know when it’s time to replace it. FIXD also tracks your car’s maintenance schedule and other wear items such as tires and wipers. Click here to get FIXD for only $19.99!
To learn more about when to replace your battery and other car maintenance tasks, check out our ultimate guide for beginners here.
Cost to DIY: $79 – $450
- DIY Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Parts Needed:
Battery
You can reduce the cost of replacing a car battery by doing this job yourself. The cost of a battery, though, is completely dependent on the type of vehicle you own and the type of battery you choose to buy. Performance batteries or those with a longer warranty will cost more, but the best bet for most DIYers is just to just an OEM-style replacement. Read about the different car battery types here.
Keep in mind: Just about all batteries are different, so make sure you have all of the proper information on hand when ordering a new one to avoid wasting your time or potentially damaging your vehicle or the battery. When in doubt, always refer to your owner’s manual or give the FIXD Mechanic Hotline a call! The FIXD Mechanic Hotline is available for free to FIXD Premium members. Click here to get FIXD for only $19.99, including a free 14-day trial of Premium!
Replacing a car battery is quick and easy.
Track car maintenance with ease
FIXD automatically tracks your car's maintenance schedule and notifies you when it's time for service so you can keep your car running smoothly and save $1000s! It even tracks the life of wear items like your tires, wipers and battery!
TRY FIXD FOR $19.99!
What Is Car Battery Replacement?
The battery in modern cars is used to crank over the engine as well as provide power for all of the various computers and electrical components. Needless to say, a dead or dying battery can result in a number of problems for your vehicle including no-start conditions that leave you stranded or having to jump start your car.
Even if you own an advanced hybrid-electric vehicle, these cars still use a conventional battery, which you can replace yourself. Replacement car batteries can be found at any auto parts store and even large retail stores such as Walmart.
The most expensive part of this repair is the cost of the replacement battery, and the job itself shouldn’t take more than an hour even for first-time DIYers. Car batteries are usually found under the hood in the engine compartment, but some cars (usually luxury and performance vehicles) have the battery mounted in the trunk.
When replacing a battery yourself, be careful of battery acid that may be leaking and be aware that batteries can be heavy and awkward to lift.
Corrosion on the terminals can affect your battery’s performance.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Battery?
Generally speaking, a dead battery won’t cause any damage to your vehicle, but it could result in the battery warning light coming on or a slew of possible check engine light codes. To learn how to quickly diagnose your check engine light, we recommend reading our detailed guide on search engine lights here. In some newer vehicles with a multitude of computers, a dead or low battery could the engine not to start meaning that you could be stranded or in need of a tow truck.
Furthermore, not addressing an old car battery could potentially lead to battery acid leaks, which could result in damaged battery cables/terminals or other wiring damage near the battery. Avoid trouble by reading our complete guide on how to replace a dead car battery yourself.
How Often Do Car Batteries Need to be Replaced?
Depending on the manufacturer of the battery in your car, most are designed to last between three and five years. Car batteries are sold by cold cranking amps and replacement warranties in months; the longer the warranty, the more expensive the battery. For more information on how and when to replace your car battery, consult your owner’s manual for specified maintenance schedules or use the FIXD app for automated maintenance tracking.
Sometimes, an electrical draw can cause the battery to drain prematurely, and in this case, installing a brand-new battery won’t necessarily fix the problem. Here’s how to prevent your battery from draining fast.
Common Symptoms You Need to Replace Your Car Battery
- Engine cranks over slowly or the starter clicks when you try to start the engine
- The engine doesn’t crank over at all, but all of the interior and exterior lights still work
- Excessive corrosion visible on the battery posts and/or battery cables
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with car battery replacement:
- Replace battery cables and/or terminals
- Clean battery posts and terminals
Claim Your Custom Maintenance Schedule
Get the FIXD Sensor and free app today for a custom maintenance schedule based on your make, model, and mileage. Never miss important maintenance again with automated maintenance alerts! Click here to get FIXD for just $19.99.
Other Common Car Repair Costs: Transmission service cost AC recharge Brake pads and rotors cost Spark plugs cost Timing chain
Lifelong automotive enthusiast with a soft spot for offroading. Wrencher turned writer, but I still love to tinker on just about anything with an engine. Dream car: tie between a ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda and a ’91 GMC Syclone. #GirlDad #SaveTheManuals
