Every car battery or starter battery must be replaced at some point. This is unavoidable because it is a wear part and ages. Whether replacement is necessary sooner or later depends largely on the individual conditions of use. Frequent short-distance journeys, long idle periods, high temperatures, and using many electrical devices put a strain on the battery. However, faults in the electrical system (e.g. corrosion on electrical connections) can also damage a battery so severely after just a few months that it needs to be replaced. In some cases, an empty battery can be brought back to life with a suitable charger. But if even that no longer helps, the old battery must be replaced with a new one.
Changing the car battery: step-by-step guide
If you want to do the replacement yourself (only with protective goggles and acid-resistant gloves) and have a vehicle that does not have a battery management system (BMS), where no fault codes have to be deleted, it is essential to follow the instructions in the owner's manual and the following points when replacing the battery yourself. This is because the following instructions are only a guide: the steps specified in the operating instructions or in the manufacturer's information take precedence.
Removing the old car battery
Remove the car key from the ignition lock and take it out of the vehicle
Remove the battery cover
Disconnect the negative terminal (black cable).
Disconnect the positive terminal (red cable).
Insulate the red positive terminal, e.g. with insulating tape or the new battery's terminal cap protector.
Loosen the clamp
If present: Loosen the vent hose and remove the elbow joint
Take out the battery
Installing the new car battery
Insert the new battery
Install the vent hose on the inserted elbow joint and, if necessary, close the second opening with a sealing plug
Attach the battery holder
Clean the battery terminals.
Attach the positive terminal (red cable).
Attach the negative terminal (black cable).
Finally, seal the terminals with an appropriate grease or lubrication spray.
Replace the battery cover
Do not forget the battery terminal covers as they prevent short circuits
What does changing a car battery cost?
The new car battery price depends on various factors. A normal high-quality battery with 70 Ah costs starts at around £70. If you are in the market for something specific, such as a BOSCH car battery can be found online. Replacing the battery is done in a few easy steps. The labour costs in garages vary widely, so it’s a good idea to shop around. If you have the battery replaced by the dealer when you buy it, the installation is often even free. Garages charge about £5 for disposing of the old battery.
What is the service life of a car battery?
It is not possible to make a general statement. The durability and lifespan depend on many factors. The battery is likely to last less long if the vehicle is only used for short distances and the car alternator can therefore only charge a little. Extremely high temperatures also damage the battery. In the best case, the car battery lasts a good ten years; in the worst case, a battery can be destroyed by a deep discharge in a few weeks. In general, higher-quality battery types have higher cycle stability. This means they can be discharged more often and then recharged until the capacity falls below a certain value. A lithium-ion battery has the highest cycle stability and should last the longest, followed by AGM, then EFB, and lastly the standard lead-acid battery.
