Some fail more quickly and some last much longer. It all depends upon the type, the brand, and how well you care for it. Just like the rest of your car, maintenance can have a big impact on battery life. Make sure to follow all recommended maintenance on your battery, such as ensuring adequate fluid levels and keeping the terminals clean. If you have a battery that is covered under your car manufacturer's warranty, you likely aren't getting as much peace of mind as someone who buys and installs a battery outright.
Despite most vehicles being covered for three years or 36, miles from the date of purchase under the 'bumper-to-bumper' warranty, batteries are consumable items and typically have a full warranty of only two years or 24, miles, after which converting to a prorated warranty or none at all. Check your car's warranty manual to determine the warranty coverage for your battery.
If you suspect a battery problem and are still covered by warranty, get it checked before the warranty expires. There are big differences in battery warranties. One of the biggest differences is cost, but it's easy to simplify matters if you think of the cost as the price of the battery plus the cost of the battery warranty.
Some expensive batteries have a five year warranty over the standard two year warranty on another of the same brand. You may see confusing terminology, such as 'silver' or 'gold,' or you may have a part counter employee trying to get you to upgrade. The difference is usually, but not always, in the length of the warranty on the battery.
But is that longer warranty worth the extra money upfront? It's usually not worth the money to get a battery with a better warranty. A longer warranty doesn't mean that the battery is any better, will perform better or last longer. Regardless of the length of the warranty, batteries are usually prorated after a few years anyway.
Let's take a hypothetical five year warranty. In any case, the service center or parts department will have to verify your warranty if you need to make a claim. If records aren't on file, you may have to provide your receipt, which can get lost. Make sure you keep your receipt in a place you can easily find it. Don't rely on the plastic pockets sometimes attached to the battery. If the battery leaks acid, your receipt is gone.
Keep your receipt in your car and take a good quality photo. In time, receipts seem to fade and become illegible. If you suspect that your battery might be going the way of the dinosaur, have it tested first. Many auto parts stores offer free battery testing, so it's easy to get your battery tested every few months when popping in for a set of wiper blades.
A word of caution if you decide to have your battery tested by a parts store: some store associates work on commission and are dishonest. When testing your battery, make sure the associate inputs the correct Cold Cranking Amps CCA number from your battery label into the tester. If the associate accidentally inputs a baseline number too high, your battery will fail the test, even if it is perfectly fine.
If you doubt the test, take it somewhere else. You may even find out that your battery is fine but some component is drawing too much power or your system isn't generating enough power. Finding Your Batteries. If you purchased a battery:. EULA Agreement. I have read and agree to the terms and conditions. December 1, or later. Aug 1, - Nov 30, May 1, - July 31, Oct 1, - April 30, Apr 1, - Sep 30, Jan 1, - Mar 31, Jan 1, - Dec 31, May 1, - Dec 31, Before May 1, After the warranty expires, it is possible to get a prorated refund , depending on the time elapsed since the warranty expired.
The table shows possible ways to claim a Costco warranty for your car battery. In all cases, you would have to return the defective battery to any Costco store. You can claim Costco warranty by calling customer service at on weekdays from 6 a. PT and on weekends from 8 a. PT excluding holidays. If your battery is showing defects, you can take it to any Costco warehouse near you to claim a warranty. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation and that the stamp containing the date code is not damaged.
Costco has a live chat option on its website for contacting customer support. Follow these steps to file a warranty claim:. Live chat is available from 6 a.
PT on weekdays and 8 a. Make sure you have all the information about the battery and the purchase handy.
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