Whether you’ve never replaced a car battery before or are in a store’s auto parts section shopping for a new battery right now, you may be in for a surprise when you first pick one upCar batteries are not light!
Keep reading to learn moreRead Also: How Long Do Car Batteries Last?Table of Contents Why Does Battery Weight Matter?
Types of Car BatteriesFlooded Lead AcidEnhanced Flooded BatteryAbsorbent Glass MatLithium-Ion BatteriesWeight DistributionHow Much Does a Car Battery Weight?Car Battery Weight Chart (for 20 Popular Vehicles) Why Are Car Batteries So Heavy?Are Heavier Batteries Better?How Can You Determine the Weight of Your Car Battery?Why Does Battery Weight Matter?
Every little thing you add to your vehicle adds up, and the more you do it, the worse your efficiency will beWith a heavier car, you’ll need to burn more gas or energy to get it moving the same distance
This means your car won’t accelerate as quickly, and you’ll get worse fuel mileage, leading to more costs down the line
Generally, the Wet-Cell or lead-acid batteries are going to be heavier because they are easier to manufacture, cheaper, and aren’t as refined
But first off, you might be surprised to hear that there are different kinds of batteries out thereTypes of Car BatteriesFlooded Lead AcidThis is the most common and oldest type of “Wet-Cell” battery out there
It must be installed vertically to avoid spilling the solution, if at all possibleGenerally, these types of batteries have a maximum output of 126V, but this could vary depending on several factors
This is because the battery will consume the water within the solution during normal operationThis type of battery is the easiest to install and, since every auto parts store has a battery for your car, you can have someone help you install it right in the parking lot!However, if you are going to be installing this battery for the first time yourself, make sure you keep the battery VERTICAL so as not to spill the electrolyte solution inside
This will make for a much better timeA subset of this battery type is called the “Sealed Lead Acid Battery” or SLA, for short
This is the same as a Flooded Lead Acid, but it’s sealed completely and has a different solution that doesn’t need regular filling, which is completely beyond meSome PhD chemist found a way for batteries to not consume water and developed a patent before the Lead companies could get to him/her, apparently
Ok?Enhanced Flooded BatteryEssentially a high-performance version of the wet cell battery, the enhanced flooded battery uses a narrower grid, and the battery cells have more plates which increase the reactive surface of the battery as a wholeAll this results in over twice the “Cold Cranking Amps” (basically how hard your car starts) than the normal battery you get from NAPA or AutozoneAbsorbent Glass MatAnother of the more common batteries out there is called the AGM battery
This is a battery that uses absorbent fiberglass to hold the electrolyte solution, creating a spill-proof, more efficient battery perfect for stop-start applicationsAGM batteries are almost always a lighter weight than a traditional lead-acid battery, cost 20-100% more than a standard wet-cell, but they can last 2-3x longer, and tend to be more reliable
Buy once, cry once, right?Lithium-Ion BatteriesWhen you’re searching for batteries based on weight, you’ll eventually come across some of the most efficient, expensive, and lightest batteries out thereOptima makes a great case for those who want batteries for their race cars as they only weigh 10lbs, and don’t have a solution that will slosh around as you commit to each cornerThis also seems to be a big concern for those that go on the big desert races as they need to be able to count on a lightweight battery to start even when going 100 mph over bumps and through riversIt’s one of those decisions you’re going to have to make for yourself… how important are battery weight and price to you for what you do?Weight DistributionIf you’ve dabbled in higher-performance vehicles of the German variety, you may have noticed that the battery is sometimes located in the trunk instead of under the hood
Why is that?Well, with performance cars, it’s all about weight distribution and if you can move 40lbs of battery from the front of the car (where more weight is) to the back, you’ll have what many car enthusiasts refer to as “better weight distribution”Without getting too far into the weeds here, all cars rely on having a proportionate amount of mass over each of their four wheels
This means the tires will have some force to push the rubber onto the road so you don’t lose traction when you brake quicklyGenerally, cars are going to always have more weight over the front wheels because that’s where the engine, transmission, cooling system, intake, steering rack, and all sorts of dense machinery help you get to where you’re goingThis means that most cars are going to have a bias towards the front of the car when they are turning, braking, and accelerating
If you have too much weight up front, and not enough over the rear wheels, your car won’t be balanced when you take part in a track day at your local race track or take on the NürburgringYou may find the rear end stepping out, at which point you’ll have to correct with counter steer
So, if you move some weight (ie the battery) from the front of the car to the rear, you’re reallocating some of that weight to get a little bit more traction from those rear wheelsHow Much Does a Car Battery Weight?You may be thinking, all this info is great, but how much does a car battery actually weigh?A typical car battery weighs around 40 pounds on average
This is for the most commonly used flooded lead acid type
rangeSee below for some examples of OEM batteries found in popular cars and trucksCar Battery Weight Chart (for 20 Popular Vehicles) Here are some examples of battery weights found in many of the top-selling cars and trucks of 2021When possible, weights of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) batteries were used
For others, common replacement brands for vehicle manufacturers were used
What’s interesting is that OEM batteries in general are much heavier than their aftermarket brands often used for replacementVehicleBattery WeightBrandCCAAudi A5573 lbsVarta (OEM)520BMW 3-Series453 lbsDuralast680Chevy Silverado 1500421 lbsACDelco800Dodge Charger429 lbsDieHard800Dodge Durango536 lbsMopar (OEM)700Ford Explorer473 lbsMotorcraft (OEM)760Ford F-150473 lbsMotorcraft (OEM)760Ford Mustang320 lbsMotorcraft (OEM)590Honda Accord277 lbsInterstate500Honda CR-V390 lbsNAPA600Honda Pilot389 lbsInterstate730Jeep Wrangler536 lbsMopar (OEM)700Mazda CX-5323 lbsInterstate550Nissan Rogue456 lbsACDelco760Ram 1500580 lbsMopar (OEM)850Subaru Forester317 lbsOptima720Toyota Corolla335 lbsInterstate650Toyota Highlander376 lbsInterstate615Toyota RAV4335 lbsInterstate650Toyota Tacoma358 lbsInterstate600 Note: I make no guarantees on the accuracy of the above weights but they are accurate to the best of my research abilityWhy Are Car Batteries So Heavy?Car batteries are so heavy because they are normally filled with dense lead battery cells
For the standard car, there are usually 6 of these cells made from one of the more dense elements on the periodic table!Then, you have to think that it’s usually a 12 x 8 x 5 box filled with lead and electrolyte solution and you can imagine why it’s so heavyNow, this isn’t to say there haven’t been advancements made in battery weight
AGM, Gel, and Lithium-Ion batteries all are at least 40% lighter than traditional batteries, but all cost quite a bit moreSo, with a lighter battery comes a higher cost, although the higher-end batteries will last longer so you could still come out on top if you don’t have to replace your battery every other yearAre Heavier Batteries Better?Not necessarily
If we are talking the same size battery, a heavier battery will likely be cheaper and more readily available in your townBut as far as longevity, cold-cranking amps, and overall power, the lighter weight batteries are going to be better for you
The only issue here is price because the lighter batteries are going to be more expensive and harder to find for the average consumerThis comes down to you
Do you value ease or optimal performance?Related: How Long Does It Take to Charge a Car Battery?How Can You Determine the Weight of Your Car Battery?If you have a home scale, you could always take the battery out and weigh it yourself, but I wouldn’t do it inside because the lead, corrosion, and solution would get everywhereAn easier method is to look at the label on your battery
Please keep in mind that this weight will vary slightly as your wet cell battery uses up the water within the electrolyte solution!AuthorRecent Posts Al SeizovicAl is a car fanatic and has been for the last 20+ years
(and How Does It Work?) – July 7, 2022Related Posts:How Long Does It Take to Charge a Car Battery?How Long Do Car Batteries REALLY Last?5 Symptoms of a Bad Car Battery (and Replacement Cost)
You can’t really know the weight of a car battery until you lift one
If this is you, then you’ve come to the right placeEvery car has a different battery weight
This is because the car battery weight directly correlates with the power output needed to run the car efficiently
For this reason, some car batteries will weigh 25 pounds, while others will be as heavy as 50 pounds
That said, the average car battery weight is about 40 poundsIn addition to looking at the weight of a car battery, this article will look at why car batteries are heavy, the different types of battery weights, and how to determine the weight of your car battery
So, keep reading to learn more about car batteriesCar Battery Weight ChartBefore we get into each section in detail, the car battery weight chart below shows popular car models and their battery weightsImage Source: rxmechaniccomWhy Are Car Batteries Heavy?Ideally, car batteries are heavy because of the material they’re made of
Another reason explaining the weight of your car battery is the specific power output needed to run the car efficientlyFor this reason, it’s important to know your car battery’s weight since replacing it with the wrong battery size will affect the power output and the overall performance
This explains why the average battery weight is 40 pounds while a Tesla battery weighs about 1200 poundsRelationship Between Battery Types and WeightsAs mentioned above, the battery weight will vary depending on what it’s made of
Below are different battery materials and how they affect the overall battery weighti)
Lead-Acid BatteryLead-acid batteries have a lead and water-based electrolyte solution in the casing
While this makes the battery very heavy, lead-acid batteries provide the best power source for cars
In addition, this makes them popular and why they’re used in most carsLead-acid batteries are very low maintenance
When it comes to weight, a car with a lead-acid battery will weigh anywhere between 38 and 50 pounds, depending on other factorsii)
These batteries are lighter than the lead-acid alternatives
In addition, they are more efficient, store a lot more power(charge) and last longerLithium-ion batteries, also known as Li-ion, are quite expensive compared to the standard battery cost
LiFePO4 BatteriesLike other Lithium batteries, this type lasts longer than a Lead-acid battery
It is also an efficient and super lightweight battery compared to the standard car battery
These car batteries weigh heavier than the standard batteries and provide general power with easev)
Enhanced Flooded BatteryEnhanced Flooded Batteries(EFB) offer better performance and a longer lifespan than SLI batteries
These batteries have also started replacing SLI ones in most cars
In addition, they weigh lighter than the SLI batteriesvi)
The Absorbent Glass Mat batteries are designed for use in cars with high battery demand
They are similar to the SLI batteries, only with a longer lifespan and better performanceTypes of Battery WeightFamiliarizing yourself with the different types of battery weight will come in handy when you want to determine your car’s battery weight1
These car batteries weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, making them perfect for small cars
However, lightweight batteries can be too light for certain cars2
Standard BatteriesStandard car batteries weigh around 40-60 pounds
However, your specific car model will determine the battery weight as some need a 40-pound battery and others require a heavier one3
Empty BatteriesEmpty batteries contain zero lead-acid or lithium-ion components
As a result, empty heavy or standard car batteries weigh about 15 pounds
Conversely, a lightweight car battery weighs about 7 pounds when emptyHow To Determine the Weight of A Car BatteryImage Source: wwworlandovwsouthcom1
Check the Packaging or LabelThe easiest way to check car battery weights is to look at the label or packaging
Most manufacturers will include this information there, making it easier for you when you want to replace your current batteryYou can look at the user’s manual if the weight information is not included in the battery label
However, you ought to keep in mind that it’s the battery’s contents and not the body determining its weight
Check the Size of the BatteryAnother way to determine how much your car battery weighs is to look at its size
You can check your battery’s BCI group against the standard chart above to determine its weightA bigger-sized battery often equates to a heavy-sized battery
Generally, a bigger-sized battery will mean a heavy batteryLastly, consider the battery size in terms of age
A new battery weighs more than an old battery
Similarly, a dead battery’s weight will be less than a new oneWhat Is the Weight of A Battery?Generally, the weight of a car battery depends on its contents or capacity
Therefore, it’s recommended to regularly weigh your battery taking into account the plastic case, the ground of the full electrolyte and the lead plates and terminalsYou will also find certain vehicles with heavier batteries, like trucks and vans
In addition, you will find manufacturers using larger batteries like in electric vehiclesFrequently Asked Questions1
How much does a car battery cost?The cost of replacing a car battery will depend on its quality and whether or not you will install it on your own or buy from an auto parts store offering free installation
Other factors likely to affect the cost of a battery include the model, brand and typeGenerally, a standard lead-acid battery will cost you anywhere between $50 and $100, while a premium lead-acid battery will cost up to $200
In addition, it’s not surprising to find some lithium-ion batteries costing $17002
How long does a car battery last?On average, a battery can last 4-6 years
What are the signs you need a new battery?Age is an important consideration when replacing your battery
Any battery older than 5 years needs to be replaced
What’s the function of a car battery?Arguably, the battery is one of the most important parts of a car
Other than starting your car, other important battery functions include:Storing power for your carProviding energy to start the engineDelivering electricity to the ignition systemWorking with the alternator to power electronic processesRegulating voltage5
Why is a car battery so heavy?Car batteries are heavy depending on the type of car engine and the size
Additionally, the size of the car will determine the weight
For example, heavy-duty vehicles will have heavier batteries than other cars6
How much will an 8V battery weigh?The weight of an 8V battery will depend on its size and model
For example, an 8V Trojan 160 battery will weigh about 76 pounds, while a Trojan DC battery with the same voltage weighs about 61 poundsConclusionIt’s important to know car battery weights and why different cars have different batteries
In turn, this information is helpful when replacing your old battery with a new one
Although other factors will come to play when choosing a new battery, knowing how much your car’s battery weighs is a good place to startImage Source: wwwmach1servicescom