Car Battery: Where and How or Dealer?

paloverde88 on 27/06/2017 - 21:31
Last edited 27/06/2017 - 21:32

Finally just after 3 years bought when brand new it appears my battery died. I needed to jump start I was surprised some of these jump starters by strangers are pocket size gizmo thingo.

Anyways being a European compact it has a Belgium made Varta and the manual never tells me what the indicator colour meant so I have no idea. I just vaguely remembers when new the indicator was a light greenish colour now it appears colourless. It only has 25 k on the speedo and 3 years so I was wondering why the battery; a Belgium made Varta could just die.

Anyways if I need to replace something of a similar quality or Brand which is the best prices places to do it? What do I look for when buying new car battery? Can you buy a slightly more powerful one than rhe stock one the manufacturer put?

Do people actually go back to dealers to have battery replaced and their wallet emptied as well?

Do you buy online and how do you then make sure it fits nicely in the slot. I need suggestions and really need it soon as I cannot be jump starting every single time. I have on loan a jump starter from neighbor and it's a large one. The weight of 3 sacks of rice.

Automotive

Comments

  • altomic on 27/06/2017 - 22:12
    +13

    you can't buy car batteries any more.
    you have to throw the car away and get a new one.

    in the old days you'd go to supercheap auto, repco or similar place. but since the Battery Act 2014 it is illegal to buy, sell or fit a battery for a car.

    seriously OP?!?!!? "where do I buy a car battery?"

    • TheBilly on 27/06/2017 - 22:18

      Lol

    • spackbace on 28/06/2017 - 00:19

      If username = age then op is 29 and that worries me!

    • Mad Max on 28/06/2017 - 00:32

      you have to throw the car away and get a new one.

      Hey Altomic, OP is in Sydney so even if he throws the car away you will not be able to go and get it.
      May as well tell him where to get the battery then…

    • JIMB0 on 28/06/2017 - 04:28
      +1

      I remember those days. You used to be able to repair flat tyres rather than buying a whole new car.

  • Saxon on 27/06/2017 - 22:19
    +1

    I recently bought a new battery from Costco– they sell car batteries in their tyre department. Good price, but I don't know that they will install for you. If the battery is a standard sort they should have it available. With regard to replacing yourself– replacing a car battery is fairly straightforward and probably a handy skill to know. There would be a variety of videos on youtube for your model, you would likely only need a small adjustable spanner and maybe a pair of pliers/screwdriver depending on your model and how immediately accessible the battery is.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2017 - 22:20

    battery world

    • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2017 - 23:54

      overpriced, ebay quality

  • TheBilly on 27/06/2017 - 22:20

    Measure your existing battery, go to supercheap auto, ask the guy/girl what you need for your car, make sure the recomended battery from SCA is the same or similar size. Install new battery. Sometimes they can even install for you for a fee.

    • Minimum chips on 28/06/2017 - 11:00

      Sometimes they have a promo where they install it for free. Not that you'd want to wait for that one to come around…

  • 2jzzzz on 27/06/2017 - 23:26
    +1

    Google Century Battery finder and find the battery for you.

  • kerfuffle on 28/06/2017 - 00:09
    +2

    I just replaced my car battery yesterday with a Supercharge battery I purchased from Autobarn during their 30% off sale on Saturday. $122.50 plus helping my dad install it vs. $200 at the dealer

    If you plug in the details of your car on the Autobarn website, it'll tell you what battery you need

  • Euphemistic on 28/06/2017 - 07:18
    +2

    More than 3 years from a battery is a good run. Driving more helps hpkeep the battery in good condition, except if your car has one of those stupid smart alternators that don't charge them properly.

    Pretty much any car parts place or mechanic can sell you a battery it is a normal replacement that is very easy And quick. Most places will install for free. Some places even use a a backup battery while changing it over so you don't lose any settings in your radio etc.

    If I was getting a new battery Id probably go to somewhere like Repco, supercheap or similar and fit it myself. I also wouldn't get the cheapest one I could find, but aim for a reputable brand with a decent warranty. Having said that, the last battery I got was through NRMA as I could get it delivered and installed while I was at work and not have to jump start the car at work to then go to a battery supplier.

    • Presence on 28/06/2017 - 08:47
      +1

      And whilst you're at Supercheap you could buy a cheap socket set to change the battery with, and it'd still be cheaper than paying someone else to do it. Don't use an adjustable spanner as the bolts on battery clamps always seem soft and corroded.

      • Euphemistic on 28/06/2017 - 12:35

        Or even better if you've already got some spanner. About 5 min and you should be done and driving away.

  • bobbified on 28/06/2017 - 09:25

    The life of a car battery will vary depending on your driving habits - mainly how often you start the car and how far you drive in between.

    If you look at the different brand names, they'll have a booklet that you can use to work out which battery model is suitable for your car. Some cars will need a bigger battery and some won't.

    Not wanting to sound sexist or anything, but if you're a dude, then it'll be a good opportunity to learn about the simple task of replacing the battery. Kind of like learning how to change out a flat tyre. You may not need to be using that knowledge all the time, but it's something that's good to know.

    • Darron65 on 28/06/2017 - 16:43
      +2

      Totally sexist actually. This is fundamental info for anyone.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/06/2017 - 08:46

        if you think so, end of the day you should do these basic checks / tasks as part of getting your licence, it gives me the shits that people could avoid 99% of problems just by following BASIC weekly checks

    • megadeth on 29/06/2017 - 19:00

      I'd add to the above sixlmonthly battery recharges if you are willing fork out on a charger… this will help longevity on the battery life.

      • Euphemistic on 29/06/2017 - 19:20
        +1

        Or taking a decent drive will pretty much do the same thing.

  • paloverde88 on 29/06/2017 - 08:39

    My regular garage. an authorized service centre recognized by the manufacturer uses super charge they say it is s premium brand and 3 year warranty installed $250.NRMA charges $60 on top of battery if they come. Many people are unsure what brand battery NRMA use. Most peeps say Yuasa and Century and supercharged are the best with heaps of cold cranking bursting with pure energy.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/06/2017 - 08:45

      I have always used an independant battery place like Holler for a Marshall over a Car Club
      Prices are fair, paid 250 including call out for a 2011 rav 4, he fit the new battery, took the old one and got me going, definately worth ringing around for the best price

      If you are doing little in terms of driving then you're going to kill the new battery as well, 25k on the clock tells me this thing is a weekend runner or you live around the corner from work, maintainence free are usually the go to choice today, CCA is not a huge issue as much as a quality brand

      Just use common sense with the battery and ensure you take precautions dealing with the positive and negative terminals, computers can and will be damaged from the surge of power, also make sure you run the car for 30 mins (actually driving it) to charge and generate the battery charging process

      Really simple job to be honest.

    • megadeth on 29/06/2017 - 19:03

      I'd recommend not using nrma batteries it'll have 12 months warranty… mine failed on the 366th day… costed $99 but would have been better spent on a yuasa century. Sticking to branded batteries since that time…

  • paloverde88 on 01/07/2017 - 21:58

    I'm convinced now that this is all happening because I don't drive my car as much having only about not even 25 k on the speedo I think I'm now t charging enough given the cold weather And not enough driving. The battery never stood a chance

  • Architectonic on 03/07/2017 - 15:23

    New OEM replacement batteries are around $120-$140, any more and you're paying too much.

  • Toons on 03/07/2017 - 15:36
    +1

    I bought a ctec battery charger / conditioner / alternator checker etc. from RAC cost less than the new battery and what do you know it fully restored it.

    It's basically a unit you can attach to your battery and run it through s deep cycle if it's actually ok.

    if your not using the car for a while you attach the fly lead that you can attach to the terminals on your battery and it maintains it for you.

    allowing it to discharge and recharge over cycles for the same reason as you said above

    I was hardly using the car when i was it wasn't enough

    Ended up being much cheaper it light's up when your good to restart without damaging computers etc from jumping the car

    Highly recommend

  • paloverde88 on 04/07/2017 - 15:04

    Anyways I supposed getting 3 years of use at 25 kay is pretty good in any case. I bought a FIAMM battery titanium and it is from Italy and even made there. It fit the slot like a glove! It is total european standard. I checked the supercharge they were not as high capacity and it did not fit my slot like a glove. My Battery slot is not a old fashion screwed on type to hold down it is one of he new ones where your battery has to click into its catch at the bottom to hold the battery in place so I could not use non Euroopean batteries it is just not the standard here but all over europe it is.

    Fiamm Titanium Pro In Italian you tube, it is used in Ferrari cars too.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NYwVd3KtTY

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzGDpg4VHuc

  • tokziktigah on 05/07/2017 - 11:46
    +1

    I use Century batteries - everyone I know swears by it and we have 2 mechanics in the family. I'm not car savvy at all and the battery is one of my basic things I chose to learn about my car. I go to the Century website, type in the details of my car and it will tell me which one is suitable. Having used them before I never thought about whether or not it would fit, just assumed it was a standard size. Perhaps before going in, just measure your one or take it with you if you can, then you'll be on the safer side.

    Last time I purchased at Supercheap Auto during a 20% off storewide sale and paid around $120. This time I went through the big eBay sale and purchased from Autobarn and got the same battery brand new for $99. The gents at Autobarn said they'd charge $10 to fit it in. I just got the husband to do it while I watched and learnt - only ever do it every 5 or more years so I always forget the details and it makes him useful to keep around haha

    Oh and just for some context, I drive a 2003 Toyota Corolla sedan and it's only racked up about 90,000kms so I don't do a whole lot of driving either but my battery tends to last around 5 years before sounding like it needs a new one.

  • dzf on 07/08/2017 - 22:23

    Just to chip in, happened to have my car battery die last night, and in the same predicament. Looking for the best value battery instead of paying RACV ~$250+ to do it for me.

    My car is also Euro, with a Varta battery. 2010 model, picked it up when it was 3yo, and it only had 13,000km on the Odo. Now 7yrs later, it's on 62,000km and the original battery just died. Mine is also effectively a weekend runner, with the odd roadtrip a few times a year. I guess I'm just saying, YMMV.

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