Should I Buy a Cheap Car Battery? - Australian Mechanical (2023)

FAQs

Are cheap car batteries worth it? ›

Buying a cheaper battery is a very tempting option to get you back on the road with minimum expense. However, cheaper batteries are often made using lower grade components such as cheap cables, wires, metals and electrolytes. These components wear out much quicker than higher quality batteries.

A more expensive battery is supposed to last longer, and might come with a longer warranty. I usually buy the cheapest battery available because they last longer than the warranty period for the more expensive batteries. They're both very good batteries. For a daily driver car I would get the Duralast.

Are all car batteries the same? In brief, they are not. There are some similarities between them, but there are enough differences that you often cannot use the same battery across multiple vehicle platforms. Indeed, battery tray sizes vary, and so do the types of 12-volt batteries that go into different vehicles.

But experts say that the batteries you can buy at dollar stores are lower quality, Kiplinger reports. The carbon-zinc batteries that dollar stores typically sell don't last as long as the alkaline name brands.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” battery suitable for every car. The battery type, physical size, terminal configuration, and cold cranking amps (CCA) or amp-hour (Ah) rating are all important factors that ensure the proper fit and function of a battery.

Depending on power, size, and quality, prices for a replacement car battery range from about $45 to $250. Your local dealership, auto parts store or automotive service center can check your current battery or hook you up with a new car battery.

Because they are made in the same way as genuine parts, OEM parts tend to be more reliable than aftermarket parts and last for longer. Warranty. OEM parts should come with a warranty to protect you if the part is defective or doesn't work properly.

In general, car batteries should last 3-4 years; it's typical for car maintenance to have to replace this part. Some batteries, however, could last as long as 6 years while others need to be replaced after a year or two.

Are generic batteries just as good? ›

Is a brand name battery any different from a generic or a store brand? "If you're talking about alkaline batteries, the chemistry is always the same," Illinois Institute of Technology physics professor Carlo Segre says. He says the quality of manufacturing can vary, making the name brands a safer bet.

Century Batteries is Australia's oldest and most recognised battery manufacturer with a proud history of designing and manufacturing batteries in Australia since 1928. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

How much does it cost to replace a regular car battery? The average cost of a regular car battery in Australia is around $120 to $180.

When replacing the batteries, it is best to use new and unused alkaline batteries. We recommend name brand batteries, Duracell or Energizer brands are always good choices. Store brands do not operate at the same level of reliability.

If you buy the cheaper batteries, you're paying a little bit now and then you'll pay a little bit later. It's thinking more short-term. If you buy the more expensive batteries, you pay more up front but they last longer. In the end, there's not that big a difference – it's the same amount of energy per price.

More expensive batteries will last you longer, but the GP Ultras are a good choice if you like to buy in bulk.

If you use the wrong size battery, this could cause changes in the flow of electrical currents, resulting in power surges that can damage the onboard computers or other components.

In general, your car will usually need a new battery after three to four years. Replacing your car battery is another part of routine maintenance. Getting your battery checked and inspected is standard for your service visits after three years, even if you haven't needed it replaced yet.

Most aftermarket car batteries sold in the U.S. are made by three companies that build them for retailers: Johnson Controls, which supplies more than half of the market; Stryten; and East Penn. They are sold under various names and built to the specifications of retailers, so performance can vary.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a car battery? ›

Walmart is hands down the cheapest place to buy a car battery. They carry EverStart batteries, their in-store brand manufactured by Clarios, which also makes Optima batteries. In addition to EverStart, some Walmart stores carry other brands such as Bosch and Optima.

A car battery price can range between 100-200 dollars. But it all depends on which one you're getting. Generally, the amount you pay is determined by three major factors: the warranty, performance, and battery type.

Service experts estimate that you should replace your car battery every four to five years.

Batteries gradually deteriorate until they can no longer provide enough power to start an engine. This wear time could take three to five years and a vehicle's usage pattern is one factor contributing to the rate at which a battery will age.

In general, batteries made by reputable companies with strong brand names do indeed perform better than the cheap stuff. Energizer, and Duracell (probably the most expensive battery brands) are among the best performers.

Are Walmart Brand Vehicle Batteries Good Quality? Additionally, EverStart batteries are priced well against the competition. With convenient locations, battery fitting, and an excellent return and warranty policy, Walmart batteries may be a perfect choice for many different types of car owners.

A reconditioned car battery can be equally as reliable as a brand new car battery, especially if it is maintained regularly. If you are on a budget or have an older car that may not have a battery readily available, a reconditioned one might be just the right option for you.

Lithium, an exceptionally light metal, gives lithium batteries the highest energy density of any battery cell. Thus, they can store more energy than alkaline batteries or any single-use battery of a comparable size.

Sometimes they are indistinguishable from the original manufacturers batteries, while at other times they can be severely lacking. In many cases, they will be made using lower quality materials and, as such, can degrade a lot quicker than OEM batteries. The result being that they need to be replaced more regularly.

Lead batteries are the lowest cost option compared with other battery technologies, in terms of both upfront cost and over the lifetime of the system.

How do I choose a good car battery? ›

Never purchase a battery that has fewer cold cranking amps than what is recommended by your owner's manual. You might find yourself stranded in the cold with a dead battery. For both the cranking amps and cold cranking amps, the higher the number typically results in a better performing battery.

Walmart has worked with East Penn Manufacturing for a long time, and the manufacturer may be the most well-known company that makes Walmart batteries. Lastly, Exide manufactures Walmart EverStart batteries. Exide is an Indian company that is one of the world's largest lead-acid battery manufacturers.

The typical battery life is not an exact value and makes around 3-5 years range. This means that, in one instance, you can get away with 5 years of problem-free driving, while your next battery can fail on you before it hits a 3-year mark. You can choose to preventively replace your battery every 2-3 years or so.

Factors that can shorten its life include an extended period of partial or full discharge, vibration from not being properly secured, under- or overcharging, extreme temperatures, water loss, electrolyte contamination and corrosion on terminals.

The good news is that the new battery can sit unused for two to four years and still work—as long as it's properly stored and maintained. Your unused car battery can be safely shelved for years if you: Store the battery upright. Keep it in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Q: Can you mix different brands of batteries? A: As chemistries and voltage vary across both battery types and brands, we recommend that you do not mix batteries. Mixing of cells can result in battery leakage and sub-optimal device performance.

This is a tough question because there is not one set answer. The truth is, generic batteries are far cheaper that most genuine batteries, and more often than not they are safe and work just as expected.

If you have a bad battery, you can purchase a new one from almost any auto parts store. Many stores will replace the battery as part of the purchase cost.

Yuasa Batteries are proudly made in Australia, and are proud to partner with the Australian Made Campaign.

Exide Batteries are manufactured in South Australia and is one of the largest suppliers of batteries to vehicle manufacturers based in Australia. Exide Batteries' technology exchange enables this quality manufacturer to remain at the forefront of meeting the needs of new vehicles.

Is Yuasa a good battery? ›

Quality & reliability.

Genuine Yuasa replacement batteries are exactly the same as the ones fitted at the factory which means that you can be sure of getting a battery with the correct specification as well as the same high level of reliability and service life.

On average, a well-maintained and properly-installed car battery will last between three and five years. Once your battery reaches three years of life, it's recommended to have it assessed and tested.

The general rule of thumb is that your battery will need replacing every three years, however your battery may need replacing earlier than that depending on your driving habits.

When the car doesn't start because the battery fails, your commute or travel plans are put on hold. You'll have no option but to call for assistance if your battery goes dead if you are on the road. But if you are at home and can get a lift to the auto parts store, you can replace a car battery yourself.

No. Car batteries differ in multiple ways to work with different vehicle's specifications, and they are generally year, make, model-specific. Many car batteries do have one important similarity in how they work.

Industrial aftermarket batteries are normally prequalified and many perform well, but the quality can be less consistent than the brand-name product, and some packs are said to be underperforming.

The typical battery life is not an exact value and makes around 3-5 years range. This means that, in one instance, you can get away with 5 years of problem-free driving, while your next battery can fail on you before it hits a 3-year mark. You can choose to preventively replace your battery every 2-3 years or so.

In general, batteries made by reputable companies with strong brand names do indeed perform better than the cheap stuff. Energizer, and Duracell (probably the most expensive battery brands) are among the best performers.

Stand for Quality

It provides more in terms of quality when compared to non-OEM batteries which do come with a lower price tag, but can't match up to OEMs. OEM batteries need to meet the manufacturer's specs and quality controls. As a result, consumers have peace of mind knowing they're getting their money's worth.