Car Batteries

[Sue J]

I was out early this morning and I was driving and thinking that we didn't spend much this month so far. Some months are like that!

When I got back to my car (2014 Toyota Corolla, 44,000 miles, bought in 2017) it wouldn't start. I had this same issue 4.5 years ago and I recognized that it's probably the battery. Last time I got a jump start and went right to the automotive store where they tested it and it was no longer holding a charge. New one was about $150.

This morning when it wouldn't start I called DH and he came and gave me a jump. I went right to the same store as last time and yup, battery does not hold a charge, I need a new one. I asked if my previous battery had any warranty left but that one had a 2 year warranty so no help there.

Of course the price has gone up, I got a better battery this time with a 3 year warranty. This one was $219. My car has been very reliable and low cost to maintain so while this was unexpected, it's something that we can easily handle.

My issue with this is the darn inconvenience! Luckily, I was close to home and DH was available. Four years ago I had to call my car insurance for a tow and it took a while for them to come out. He tried jumping the battery first and that got me going.

Long time ago with cars in my past, I always had warning symptoms when my battery was going bad. Starting would take a little longer or might take a second try. But there were signs that the battery was ending its useful life. I guess that new batteries are just fine...until they're not!

So I'm back up and running and should be good for a couple years but I would like to prevent getting stranded again. At the automotive shop they mentioned a handheld battery tester for car batteries.

Anyone here have one they can recommend? How often to I need to check the battery?

 

[fosterscik]

I wouldn't buy a tester. I'd buy and carry a small battery powered jump starter. I keep one in our car and charge it every 6 months. It easily hold the charge for that length of time and has saved me a couple of times. (interior light left on by mistake; left too long at the airport without running the car; and battery failure like you describe). They're cheap and it's easy to restart, go to a store and test for a failed battery as necessary.

I have this one:

https://www.costco.com/type-s-15000mah-projump-starter-and-power-bank.product.100981354.html

 

[ls99]

Good reminder, my 2016 colorado still has original battery. Still starts fine, engine fires withinn a few scends of cranking Eight years is amazing. Should replace it before winter.
I use Autozone, buy battery with their longest warranty. Had used NAPA in the past, autozone will install, NAPA will not.

 

[Texas Proud]

I bought a small jump start battery that I keep in the car.. I have used it before also and it worked great...

I have never thought of buying a battery tester... I will be interested in see what people say...

 

[karen1972]

I get mine tested for free when I get my oil change. I replaced one about 6 months ago, they had said it was failing so I drove directly from there to the autozone which was a few blocks away. They re-tested, and installed the new one for about $35 less than I got quoted. I've only had 1 fail that I didn't get pre-warned about.

 

[Al18]

I think your driving habits have a large effect on battery life and engine life. If many of your trips are 5 miles or less, that’s hard on both. Also, are you buying AGM batteries or the less expensive version? AGM battery will last longer, though they cost more.

 

[braumeister]

I wouldn't buy a tester. I'd buy and carry a small battery powered jump starter. I keep one in our car and charge it every 6 months.

I think quite a few of us do this. I learned about it here on the forum. Peace of mind is worth a lot to me.

 

[Beldar]

Living in the hot desert here nothing lasts very long. We proactively replace our car battery at the 3 year mark, even if it has a 5 year warranty. It's not worth the headache of dying on the road just to save a few dollars.

Testing is free at any auto parts store or when we have the car serviced.

_B

 

[aja8888]

Lead/acid batteries only have so many starts in them until the lead plates deposit enough spent oxide on the bottom of the battery and cause a cell(s) to short out. So the more starts, the shorter life (in general). Also, hot weather (and a hot engine compartment) has a detrimental effect on battery life.

 

[Sue J]

I asked about an AGM battery and it was not recommended for my car. DH has one of those (2017 Nissan Rogue Sport).

My driving is frequent short trips. I'm a school crossing guard so I drive less than one mile 4 times a day. Also, I sit in my car listening to the radio or podcasts for 20-30 minutes twice a day and that's with the engine off and the accessories on. I know that's running off the battery. I mentioned this at the automotive store when they helped me decide on which battery.

I like the idea of the portable charger! Recommend one that you like.

 

[Jerry1]

I like the idea of one of those small battery jump starters, but I would probably just find a battery with the longest warranty and change it out once the warranty expires. Seems like your car is on about a 4 year cycle so just prepare in year three to get it replaced. Another way to look at it is, after three years start getting it tested, maybe every 4 months.

 

[Car-Guy]

IME, car batteries will often give notice for a week or so (e.g. slow cranking or your amp meter in your car).... But, I carry these because often a car battery will just die like it's had a heart attack. Boom and they are gone. YMMV

OR

 

[GrayHare]

If you have an AAA membership, they will bring a new bettery to you wherever you are and install it for just the cost of the battery. Their battery price is equivalent to what you would pay at a parts store. IMO it's one of the best features of an AAA membership.

 

[HarveyS]

I use Jerry1's process. Change it when the warranty ends. At my convenience. BTD!

 

[jazz4cash]

If you have an AAA membership, they will bring a new bettery to you wherever you are and install it for just the cost of the battery. Their battery price is equivalent to what you would pay at a parts store. IMO it's one of the best features of an AAA membership.

+1. Newer car batteries can be a pain to access for replacement. Also the AAA batteries have very good non prorated replacement period. I think AAA must outsource the mobile battery service. We had one replaced within warranty period but the tech did not have access to the in-service date because it was bought at a AAA service center. I had the receipt so they honored that.

 

[Mark1]

I typically change out my batteries every ~3.5 years, whether they need it, or not. Yes, it's a waste of money, but then it is my money.

I also change out my serpentine belt every 5 to 7 years whether they need it, or not.

I hate being stranded.

 

[Koolau]

I wouldn't buy a tester. I'd buy and carry a small battery powered jump starter. I keep one in our car and charge it every 6 months. It easily hold the charge for that length of time and has saved me a couple of times. (interior light left on by mistake; left too long at the airport without running the car; and battery failure like you describe). They're cheap and it's easy to restart, go to a store and test for a failed battery as necessary.

I have this one:

https://www.costco.com/type-s-15000mah-projump-starter-and-power-bank.product.100981354.html

I've successfully used one of the small jumpers a couple of times. Most recently, two different such jumpers failed. Apparently the battery was too far gone (dead short some place.)

 

[CardsFan]

If you have an AAA membership, they will bring a new bettery to you wherever you are and install it for just the cost of the battery. Their battery price is equivalent to what you would pay at a parts store. IMO it's one of the best features of an AAA membership.

We have done this a couple of times, and I agree the price was fair. They will also come and test the battery and start your car if the battery runs down because you left the aux power on for several hours without running the car (ask me how I know )

I do keep a set of jumper cables in both cars, but it is probably time to buy a couple of the jump starters noted above.

 

[Al18]

With all those short trips, I’d run the engine 15 minutes a day to extend the engine, oil and battery life.

 

[jollystomper]

I have been fortunate in never having a battery die when it could not be jump started and returned home. Of course, if it is dead the next day and needs jump starting again, that has been my sign that it is time to replace.

Thew newer cars I have rented for long road trips seem to have more battery monitoring functions built in. But a portable starter is always a good thing. Much more convenient and easier to use than jumper cables, and can also work as usb charger or flashlight (or other things, based on its features).

 

[Tom52]

I replace the battery on my daily driver at the 4 year mark. My experience in recent years is that a battery will fail without warning, unlike in the old days you might have a clue with slow cranking before a complete failure. Not so anymore, perhaps because cars are rolling computers that will not function with a less than fully charged battery.

I just replaced the battery on my golf cart at the 5 year mark. Old battery was working fine but who wants to take a chance and get stranded.

In my classic car, 60's vintage, the battery was replaced in May 2018 and seems to be going strong, but it is always garaged and rarely driven.

I do keep a jump starter and a set of jumper cables in my daily driver. I have used them quite a few times to help out stranded people. Never had to use them on my own car but you never know when you might need them.

 

[RetMD21]

...

Long time ago with cars in my past, I always had warning symptoms when my battery was going bad. Starting would take a little longer or might take a second try. But there were signs that the battery was ending its useful life. I guess that new batteries are just fine...until they're not!

.....

I've noticed that too

 

[Koolau]

I have been fortunate in never having a battery die when it could not be jump started and returned home. Of course, if it is dead the next day and needs jump starting again, that has been my sign that it is time to replace.

Thew newer cars I have rented for long road trips seem to have more battery monitoring functions built in. But a portable starter is always a good thing. Much more convenient and easier to use than jumper cables, and can also work as usb charger or flashlight (or other things, based on its features).

Yeah, first time I saw one I thought "no way that could jump a car" but since Costo had them I thought "It must be legit." It is. They do w*rk.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I would not spend $100 on a portable car jump starter unless I was in the habit of taking long trips on isolated roads. Even the cheap ones on Amazon are around $60. That's too much for me to pay for something I probably will never use.

I figure if I can't get my car started somewhere in town I would call a service and have them jump start the car and then I would drive to a shop and have the battery tested. (The service person might be able to do that as well, while at your vehicle.) The last time this happened was years ago and the cost was $40. I have no idea what it would cost nowadays. Otherwise, I would call my son and ask him to bring battery cables and give me a jump start, whereupon I would have the battery tested. I'm a DIYer so if the battery was bad I would buy and install another one myself.

I would buy a battery terminal cleaner for $5.00 and once per year I would remove the terminals from the battery and clean both the battery terminals and the battery cable terminals. Then I would reattach the battery and take the car to a shop to have them test the battery.

 

[jollystomper]

I would not spend $100 on a portable car jump starter unless I was in the habit of taking long trips on isolated roads. Even the cheap ones on Amazon are around $60. That's too much for me to pay for something I probably will never use.

In this case, Walmart has better prices for them that Amazon, many options for $25-$40 (though I have seen some on sale at Amazon for <$40). I have seen the best prices around the December holidays and Fathers Day.