Battery replacements

Sydney’s leading car servicing specialists

Keep your engine running and your lights shining with battery repairs

Car batteries last approximately 3 to 5 years at best and provide ample power to ensure your car is running at top performance. However, if not taken care of, you could run your battery down much faster. At Automotive Hospital, we do routine battery checks and battery replacements for a wide range of makes and models right in our automotive centre. Keep your engine running and your lights shining with our car battery replacement service in Sydney.

If you think your battery is ready for a replacement, call us or stop by and get your vehicle checked out! For more information on battery replacements and common battery issues, check out our FAQ section.

Common battery FAQ’s

How long should a car battery last?

The average battery life for a conventional wet cell lead-acid car battery is approximately 4-5 years, however, it can be as short as 3 years in hot climates. Battery life can be reduced if the battery is frequently run down, frequently undercharged, or frequently driven on rough roads.

What will drain your car battery?

There are many ways that you can accidentally drain your car battery, some of which are out of your control. These are some of the most common ways a car battery can drain and need to be replaced.

Leaving the headlights on
A parasitic drain due to electrical issues
Faulty charging
A defective alternator
Extreme temperatures
Excessive short drives
Corroded or loose battery cables
An old battery

What type of replacement battery should I buy for my vehicle?

Replace your battery with a conventional wet cell battery or AGM battery that has a CCA rating that is the same or higher than your old battery.

If you need help determining what type of battery to install, bring your vehicle into Automotive Hospital and let our experts point you in the right direction. Better yet, let us do it for you!

How much does a car battery cost?

The CCA rating of a battery, the type of battery, and the warranty on the battery all have an impact on the cost of the battery. The higher the CCA rating and the longer the warranty, the higher the price the battery will be. AGM batteries cost approximately 25% more than conventional batteries.

Is it difficult to replace a car battery?

A car battery is heavy but fairly simple to replace. The positive and negative cables are disconnected from the old battery. Then, the bracket or clamps that hold the battery on its tray are loosened so that the battery can be removed. The new battery is then placed on the tray, tightened down, and reconnected to the positive and negative cables. Automotive Hospital technicians have the skills and tools to efficiently perform your car battery replacement within a few hours! Enjoy our hospitality by taking advantage of our car rental and go about your usual routine while we get your car up and running!

Are all car batteries lead-acid?

Most stock production 12-volt batteries are lead-acid; however, some racing batteries may be comprised of lithium-ion. Hybrid batteries can be nickel-metal hydride, but most are high voltage lithium-ion.

Not sure which battery your vehicle uses? Bring it into Automotive Hospital and we can help you figure it out!

How are old car batteries disposed of?

Car batteries contain lead, which is highly toxic, and acid. They need to be recycled at facilities that accept old batteries for recycling. Most facilities that sell new batteries will accept your old battery for recycling. Do NOT dispose of your battery in your domestic waste as this is harmful to the environment.

How can you tell that it is time for a new battery?

There are a few symptoms that may indicate that your battery needs attention.

Slow engine crank: When you attempt to start the vehicle and the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start.
Check engine light: Sometimes the check engine light will appear when your battery is weak.
Low battery fluid level: Batteries typically have a part of the casing that is translucent so you can keep an eye on the battery fluid level. If the fluid falls below the lead plates, it is time to have the battery and charging system tested.
Swelling/bloating battery case: If your battery looks like this, it is typically caused by excessive heat. This swelling decreases the life of your battery.
Battery leak: Leaking causes corrosion around the posts which can cause the connections to become compromised. The leaked fluid would bee to be removed or it could compromise the entire battery and your car may not start.
Old age: Your battery can last well beyond 3 years, but you should at least have the current condition inspected annually once it reaches that 3-year mark as batteries tend to last no more than 5 years.

How did my battery drain overnight?

Batteries oversee a lot of functions on your vehicle and do a lot of things when we are not paying attention. The most common way a battery will drain overnight is due to a light being left on or a power adapter plugged in that is zapping all your battery power. Faulty electrical components or wiring can also lead to a battery drain.

Schedule a battery inspection with Automotive Hospital and see what may be going on with your vehicle and if you need a battery repair or replacement.

What affects the life of my car battery?

The year-round climate and your driving habits will have a major impact on your car battery. If you take many short trips, your battery will not have enough time to fully recharge, which will shorten its overall life expectancy. Extreme temperatures can kill batteries quicker. Scorching hot or freezing cold temperatures can shorten battery life.

How should I charge a new car battery?

Most new car batteries are sealed and come fully charged. Furthermore, the charging circuits in modern cars are much better at avoiding excessive charging. Unless you have an outdated model that is at least 40 years old you do not have to worry about charging a new car battery. Put your new battery in the car, check that the voltage is at least around 14, and you are good to go!