Battery Prorated Warranties

Q: I have a three-year-old battery that needs replacing. What does it mean when the battery has a “prorated” warranty?

A: Even if your car battery has a 5-year warranty, this doesn’t mean you will get one for free for the whole 5-year period. Depending on the battery manufacturer, a free replacement period usually lasts between 6-18 months. If your battery is three years old, you will pay a per month charge from the original purchased date to get a replacement. Unfortunately, the prorated cost in the 3-4 year period is sometimes higher than the original battery cost. If this is the case, look for a new battery that has a longer free replacement period.