How Much Is a Car Battery and How Do Its Main Characteristics Alter the Price?
How much is a car battery, and what factors go into determining the price of these essential car maintenance products? Even though this seems like a simple question, the answer can be quite complex, as there are many different varieties of car batteries to consider, and their specific qualities, physical characteristics, technologies and safety features, all factor in when it comes to determining the precise cost of the battery. Learn which battery is right for your vehicle.
The Size and Weight of Your Car Battery
Let’s start with physical measurements and weight. The heavier your battery, the harder it will be for your car to carry it, so it stands to reason that heavy batteries can be more expensive. So how much is a car battery that’s lighter? Surprisingly enough, the price difference is not that great, since many heavier batteries also offer better performance than their lighter counterparts, which typically require fewer materials for their construction. The same can be said for larger versus smaller batteries, however, the type of technology used will usually be the main determining factor when it comes to price. This is why you can find lightweight lithium-ion car batteries on the market that are rated at a cost of well over $2,500 – over ten times more expensive than the lead-acid alternative.
Advance Auto Parts stores offer free battery testing and installation*.
Amp Hour Capacity and Reserve Capacity in Car Batteries
If the alternator malfunctions or the serpentine belt breaks, you need to make sure your battery can still carry you a good enough distance. That distance is determined by knowing its reserve capacity. It stands to reason, therefore, that the higher the reserve capacity, the more expensive the battery will be. The amp hour capacity determines how much current the battery will provide at 80 degrees over a time period of about 20 hours. This will decide whether or not the battery has what it takes to offer adequate power to all your vehicle’s systems. As previously, the higher the value, the greater the expense.
How Much Do Batteries Cost Based on Cold Cranking Amps?
What is one of the most important factors that still needs to be considered and how much is a car battery based on that factor? The cost of a car battery will differ greatly in the case of a car that requires a higher CCA (cold cranking amp) rating. Since this value determines how easily your battery will start in cold weather, it might not be of much use in a warmer climate. However, in areas where the temperatures fall below freezing during the winter, you can expect a battery with a high enough CCA rating to be quite expensive. Check your owner’s manual to find out the minimum CCA rating required by your car.
Take a look at popular battery accessories.
Making an Informed Choice Regarding Your Battery Purchase
If you want the best car battery money can buy, you will have to do some research based on the factors mentioned above. Consulting a professional mechanic is also a good idea in this case, as is the need for a comparison between different brands offering similarly priced products? What is the main difference regarding the quality of their batteries, and what does that mean in terms of your purchase? Before even considering the question of “how much is a car battery,” it can be extremely important to take into account all these details.
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*Car battery testing and installation available on most automotive vehicles, at most locations, unless prohibited by law.
