How Often to Replace a Car Battery

If you turn to the experts, you’ll hear that the average car battery can last between 4-5 years. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are numerous factors that can impact your battery’s life. If you’re wondering how often to replace a car battery based on your driving habits, our team at Volkswagen of Murfreesboro’s service center can make more specific recommendations. Find out more about what impacts your car battery life and how to know if your car battery needs to be replaced below!

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced Soon

If your car battery is nearing the end of its life, you can expect to see some of the following warning signs:

• Takes longer to start the engine when you turn the key/push the button
• Unusual power fluctuations
• Dimming headlights
• More frequent need for engine revving or jump starts

Why Do Batteries Break Down?

• Time: Batteries aren’t going to last forever; if enough time passes, you’ll need a replacement.
• Weather: Cold weather can make it hard for a battery to hold its charge while hot weather can cause the fluids in it to evaporate. 
• Being Drained: If you leave your headlights on overnight and drain your battery, you may need to jumpstart it. Frequent jump starts are bad for the battery. 

To help maintain your battery, review the recommended maintenance plan laid out in your owner’s manual.

How to Test a Car Battery On Your Own

While the team at the Volkswagen of Murfreesboro service center would be happy to test your battery next time you’re in Murfreesboro, you can also test your battery at home. There are two quick DIY options available:

The Headlight Test: 

1. Park your car, start the engine, and turn on the headlights. 
2. Rev the engine and see if the headlight brightness changes.
3. If the brightness of the headlights increases, that means the current is not strong enough to keep the lights at normal brightness while the car is idling. 
4. You’ll want to schedule a service appointment

Using a Digital Multimeter:

1. Set the voltmeter to 20 DC volts.
2. Touch the negative terminal (black) with the negative meter probe (also black).
3. Next, touch the positive terminal (red) with the positive meter probe (also red)
4. Have someone turn on the headlights and check the voltmeter reading.
5. At 80?, 12.5 volts or higher means your battery is fully charged. 12.3 volts means it’s at about 75% charged.11.8 volts or lower means you have 25% or less charge. 

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery in Murfreesboro?

Most car batteries can cost between $75 and $120, however, a premium battery it could be up to $200. Hybrid car batteries have a much bigger job, which means they are much more expensive, and can cost anywhere between $1000 and $6000, but this is usually offset by the much lower gas consumption.

Maintain Your Car Battery With Volkswagen of Murfreesboro

If you need a replacement battery, you can find one in-stock at our parts center near Lebanon and Franklin. What’s more, we also have service and parts coupons to help you save! Contact us today to learn more.