Mother needs a car battery

[Sonikku]

My mother's car is ten years old and she's been unable to get it to started a couple times, needing to get it jumped. She thinks she needs a new battery but she knows absolutely nothing about the specs, brands and stuff (nor do I) and the auto repair salesmen will look at her like an easy mark.

Any car nuts out there that know a good value? She drives a decade old Pontiac Vibe and doesn't have very much money.

 

[CraKaJaX]

The Garage just called. They want your thread.

 

[Sonikku]

My apologies. I post so rarely about these sorts of things I was not even aware we had such a board. Mod move please, I guess.

 

[highland145]

Autozone, they will put it in. Expect $100+

 

[NoTine42]

Most car parts only places install "free"

If I'm changing a car battery DIY, I generally buy at Farm and Fleet since most other places pad prices for that "free" install. (Even Walmart batteries now seem to be expensive)

 

[Carson Dyle]

Or Interstate Batteries. Same deal as Autozone - they'll put it in while you wait. Most likely they'll have a choice of two, maybe three batteries to fit the car, but make sure you call first to see if they have them in stock and to check the price. The last one I had lasted more than seven years, so I was pretty happy getting another from them not long ago.

 

[jagec]

She thinks she needs a new battery but she knows absolutely nothing about the specs, brands and stuff (nor do I) and the auto repair salesmen will look at her like an easy mark.

It's a legitimate concern, but this is one area where any auto parts store will shine. They will load test the existing battery for free (confirming if it truly needs to be replaced), sell you a matching new one (straight off the shelf, with prices clearly posted), and replace it for free.

For simple things, auto parts stores are great...it's in more complex tasks (where you truly need a mechanic) where people get ripped off.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

First and foremost, if the battery is 10 years old, it's toast. You won't need a load test to figure that out. If it lasted that long she get her money's worth out of it and then some.

Are you or any other male relative nearby? You don't need to be a handyman to do a battery swap, but it's not something she can do herself. Any guy that can turn a wrench can do it. Just look up the car make/model/year and that will tell you what size you need, looks like size group 35 for a Vibe. Buy battery, a couple of nuts untighten, remove cables, put in new battery, attach cables, tighten nuts, return old battery to shop. Easy peasy, the work is 5 minutes tops.

Does your mom have a Costco membership. Great place to get good quality car batteries. If not Wal-Mart or any auto parts store will have replacements and for a battery that size $75 would be high, you might find something closer to $50.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

If she has a Sears nearby they are great for batteries. Tell her to get the highest cold crank battery possible

 

[Sonikku]

I'm sorry, "cold crank"?

First and foremost, if the battery is 10 years old, it's toast. You won't need a load test to figure that out. If it lasted that long she get her money's worth out of it and then some.

Are you or any other male relative nearby? You don't need to be a handyman to do a battery swap, but it's not something she can do herself. Any guy that can turn a wrench can do it. Just look up the car make/model/year and that will tell you what size you need, looks like size group 35 for a Vibe. Buy battery, a couple of nuts untighten, remove cables, put in new battery, attach cables, tighten nuts, return old battery to shop. Easy peasy, the work is 5 minutes tops.

Does your mom have a Costco membership. Great place to get good quality car batteries. If not Wal-Mart or any auto parts store will have replacements and for a battery that size $75 would be high, you might find something closer to $50.

Wow I never thought it would be possible to get one for $75, much less 50. She has no costco sadly, but does have a Sams Club/walmart/Sears/Noble Hardware local.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I'm sorry, "cold crank"?

its essentially the batteries amp rating sales guy will know

 

[mrjminer]

I'm sorry, "cold crank"?



Wow I never thought it would be possible to get one for $75, much less 50. She has no costco sadly, but does have a Sams Club/walmart/Sears/Noble Hardware local.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cold+crank+battery

Also, I would say $50-$150 for a battery. Lots of factors, like exact model / year, where you are buying from (obviously). Generally, anyone can change a battery in a few minutes, so if she needs installed, I would expect it to be free or no more than $10, otherwise I would go elsewhere.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If she has a Sears nearby they are great for batteries. Tell her to get the highest cold crank battery possible

Without even knowing where she lives? What a ridiculous recommendation.

OP, CCA in a nutshell:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/experience/power-source/what-does-cold-cranking-amps-cca-mean/


Not something to be concerned about in warm climates at all and not even that big a deal in cold with an engine that small. The original battery was pretty small and not overly powerful and it did her well for 10 years. I'm guessing if lack of CCA was a problem for her in that car it would have reared its ugly head long before now.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Without even knowing where she lives? What a ridiculous recommendation.

OP, CCA in a nutshell:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/experience/power-source/what-does-cold-cranking-amps-cca-mean/


Not something to be concerned about in warm climates at all and not even that big a deal in cold with an engine that small. The original battery was pretty small and not overly powerful and it did her well for 10 years. I'm guessing if lack of CCA was a problem for her in that car it would have reared its ugly head long before now.

Good point however in my previous cars the extra capacity batteries are only a bit more expensive and they do seem to last longer but you're right if its a warm area the extra capacity battery may not be needed.

 

[emperus]

First and foremost, if the battery is 10 years old, it's toast. You won't need a load test to figure that out. If it lasted that long she get her money's worth out of it and then some.

Are you or any other male relative nearby? You don't need to be a handyman to do a battery swap, but it's not something she can do herself. Any guy that can turn a wrench can do it. Just look up the car make/model/year and that will tell you what size you need, looks like size group 35 for a Vibe. Buy battery, a couple of nuts untighten, remove cables, put in new battery, attach cables, tighten nuts, return old battery to shop. Easy peasy, the work is 5 minutes tops.

Does your mom have a Costco membership. Great place to get good quality car batteries. If not Wal-Mart or any auto parts store will have replacements and for a battery that size $75 would be high, you might find something closer to $50.

Mostly this. But I would say plan for like 10, minutes not knowing what the condition of the terminals look like. Costco batteries have served me well, though I know they changed the manufacturer a couple years back.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I have yet to try a battery from Costco, but prices are decent.

 

[Rakehellion]

Autozone, they will put it in. Expect $100+

I already put it in his mom last night. Charged way more than that.

 

[Captante]

Does mom have a AAA membership?

If so they'll come to her and replace the battery for a decent price.

 

[gotsmack]

Try to get one manufactured by Johnson Controls. Exide manufactured batteries aren't as good. I forgot the name of the 3rd big manufacturer.

most batteries are rebranded from one of the big 3 manufacturers.


Don't worry about specs, normal car batteries only have 1 recommended battery listed in the size book hanging next to the batteries.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, it's a bit hard to get one that isn't made by Johnson Controls.

 

[1sikbITCH]

My mother's car is ten years old and she's been unable to get it to started a couple times, needing to get it jumped. She thinks she needs a new battery but she knows absolutely nothing about the specs, brands and stuff (nor do I) and the auto repair salesmen will look at her like an easy mark.

Any car nuts out there that know a good value? She drives a decade old Pontiac Vibe and doesn't have very much money.

My dad blew a tranny. Any ideas?

 

[BoomerD]

I've bought a couple of batteries from Costco. Good batteries, although the warranty is often shorter than the "better" batteries sold at most auto parts stores. Plus, MOST Costco auto centers won't install the battery for you. <shrug> Not an issue for me since it's a 5 minute job...but for those less-than-mechanically inclined...it might seem to be a daunting task.

Auto Zone and O'Reilly Auto Parts are both reliable, honest places that will do a good job...and won't over-charge her.

 

[spaceman]

call local parts stores and see if they have remans
round here i can get a reman for $30+core
have had awesome luck w.em

 

[eng2d2]

Tell your mother just go to walmart or sams. They have good batteries there and warranty

 

[MaDDinGO]

Buy online at Advance auto parts using one of the generic $40 off 100 coupons listed online. Drive the car to pick it up and they will install it for your for free.