How Often to Replace a BMW Battery

Not sure how often to replace a car battery? How long does a BMW battery last? In general, it’s a good practice to replace your BMW battery every 4-5 years. In the meantime, make sure to schedule maintenance appointments regularly for your BMW to avoid major issues. For more details, read below so you can have confidence in your BMW. You can also call our service department to get any specific questions answered.

Does My BMW Need its Battery Replaced?

If you’re not sure how to tell when it’s time to replace your car battery, no need to worry. Your car will tell you when it’s time for BMW battery replacement! Below are some warning signs to look out for:

• Headlights are dimmer than usual
• Frequent unusual power fluctuations
• The need to jump-start your car often
• The engine doesn’t start up right away when the key is turned in the ignition or the button is pushed to start

Battery Life Factors

There are several factors that influence the battery life of your BMW. We listed some things that that cause your battery to decrease in efficiency and functionality:

• Jump-Starts: The battery life decreases with every jump start administered.
• Heat: Since heat causes the liquid in the engine to evaporate, hot climates tend to drain the life out of batteries faster than cooler climates.
• Time: All batteries eventually will lose their charge, so over time, it’s inevitable that your car battery will die.
• Vibrations: Vibrations often occur if the battery’s clamps are loose or if you’re traveling through rough terrain frequently, and they break down internal battery parts at a much faster rate.

Your vehicle’s battery will last longer as long as you keep up with proper battery care, as recommended in your owner’s manual.

How to Test a Car Battery

In Bedford and Londonderry, most drivers prefer to have a professional check their car battery for them. If you’d rather do it at home, that’s fine, too! We provided instructions below:

Headlight Test:

1. Start your car and turn on your headlights. Keep the car in park.
2. Rev the engine to determine whether the brightness of your headlights changes.
3. If you notice a difference in brightness, the current from the battery isn’t strong enough when idling.
4. Schedule service with Tulley BMW of Manchester for further assessment.

Digital Multimeter:

1. With the hood of your car popped and the voltmeter set to 20 DC volts, touch the negative terminal (black) to the negative meter probe (also black).
2. Repeat this step by touching the positive terminal (red) with the positive meter probe (also red).
3. Have someone turn on your vehicle’s headlights, and check the voltmeter reading.
4. At a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit: 12.5 volts or higher indicates a full charge; 12.3 volts indicates a 75% charge; 11.8 volts or lower indicates a 25% or less charge.

How Much is a Replacement Car Battery?

The price of a car battery depends on the vehicle type and age. The average range is between $75 and $120, but top of the line batteries can cost up to $200. Hybrid vehicles will also have more expensive batteries. You can get a more accurate estimate by checking out our parts department online. You can also look for deals and specials online as well.

Maintain Your Vehicle at Tulley BMW of Manchester

You can be confident that at Tulley BMW of Manchester, we’ll take good care of your vehicle. Schedule service with us to make sure your can is safely operating while driving through Manchester.