Is your Honda CR-V battery draining too quickly?
That’s a common issue with Honda batteries. You’ll need to replace it soon to avoid getting stuck.
Unsure about how to do it?
Don’t worry.
We’ll walk you through the battery replacement process on your Honda. We’ll also break down the costs and help you choose the right battery for your vehicle.
Let’s begin.
This Article Contains:
- How to Perform a Honda CR-V Battery Replacement?
- How Much Does a Honda CR-V Battery Replacement Cost?
- How Do I Find the Right Battery for My Honda CR-V?
- 4 FAQs about Honda CR-V Batteries
How to Perform a Honda CR-V Battery Replacement?
Unless you have experience in car fixes, you shouldn’t replace a dead battery on your own. If you do something wrong, it can cause a short circuit, damaging the battery parts and other electrical components of your car.
So it’s best to visit a service center or let a professional mechanic do the job.
Here’s how they’ll replace your car battery:
Step 1: Locate the Battery
First, they’ll open the car’s hood and locate the battery. It will be near the front of the engine bay, on either side.
Step 2: Disconnect the Battery Terminals
Before removing the old battery, they’ll locate the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals, as it’s important to remove them in the correct order.
The mechanic will then loosen each terminal clamp, starting with the negative terminal, FIRST. This will help prevent any short circuits. Next, they will disconnect the positive terminal.
Step 3: Replace the Battery
The mechanic will unscrew the bolts securing the battery to the holder bracket or battery tray. Afterward, they’ll pull out the old battery and put the new one in its place. They’ll ensure that the new one matches the existing battery specifications, or else it won’t fit.
Step 4: Reconnect the Terminals
They’ll first reconnect the positive terminal, followed by the negative terminal.
Step 5: Secure the Battery
Using a wrench, the mechanic will tighten the terminal clamps and the bolts on the holder bracket to ensure the new battery fits securely.
Step 6: Test the Battery
Finally, they’ll start the car to see if all electronic devices work. They’ll also ensure that any warning lights, such as the battery light or check engine light, aren’t on.
Now that you know how a mechanic replaces a Honda CR-V battery, let’s consider the costs.
How Much Does a Honda CR-V Battery Replacement Cost?
Replacing a Honda CR-V battery can cost around $300 (including labor). The new battery alone will set you back $170-$200, and the labor charge is around $100.
Wondering which battery is best for your Honda CR-V?
Keep reading.
How Do I Find the Right Battery for My Honda CR-V?
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a new Honda CR-V battery:
- Size or battery group: Each Honda model has a reference code indicating the battery specifications recommended for that particular vehicle. The battery size code for most Honda CR-Vs is 51R. However, you should still confirm it with your vehicle’s user manual to get the best car battery.
- Battery type: Combustion engine CR-Vs take lead-acid or AGM batteries, while hybrid engine models need lithium-ion batteries.
- OEM vs. aftermarket parts: Both OEM and aftermarket car batteries work well with Honda CR-Vs. However, OEM batteries are better due to their higher production standards, but they are also more expensive.
- The environment you drive in: For colder regions, a battery with high cold cranking amps is best. Cold cranking amps refer to the number of amps your battery supports for 30 seconds at 0℉.
There’s still more to learn about Honda batteries. Let’s discuss some other important details.
4 FAQs about Honda CR-V Batteries
Here are the answers to some common Honda CR-V battery-related questions:
1. What Are the Common Honda CR-V Battery Problems?
While Honda’s OEM batteries tend to be the best car battery when compared with aftermarket brands, they have had some issues in the past.
- Parasitic drain: Honda CR-V batteries manufactured between 2011 and 2019 drained over short periods. Problems with the AC relay and alternator were common causes of these failing batteries.
- Incorrect battery charging mode: The PCM (powertrain control module) for the 2012-2014 models sometimes engaged the wrong battery charging mode when the vehicle was off, resulting in a dead battery.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a pre-owned car, avoid the Honda inventory from these years. Luckily, their new inventory doesn’t have these problems.
2. What Are the Causes of Honda Battery Failures?
Here are a few reasons why your Honda battery may be giving you a hard time:
- A faulty VSA modulator (vehicle stability assist): The vehicle stability assist modulator helps keep your car stable when driving. However, this electrical component often keeps drawing battery power even when the vehicle is off.
- Malfunctioning resistor: A broken resistor can cause the AC relay to remain open. If left engaged, the AC relay continues to draw battery power to supply the compressor and clutch.
- Faulty alternator: The alternators in 2013 CR-V models often over or undercharge the battery, interfering with its ability to function.
3. How Long Does a Honda Battery Warranty Last?
Honda’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty covers failing batteries and battery parts for three years or 36000 miles. Essentially, Honda repairs or replaces defective car components free of charge (subject to terms and conditions).
4. How to Maintain a Honda Car Battery?
There are several ways to increase your battery’s longevity. Let’s start with things to avoid:
- Completely draining the battery: This causes a buildup of sulfate crystals in the active battery material, leading to several battery issues.
- Overcharging the battery: This reduces the water levels in lead-acid batteries which increases its temperature, accelerating wear.
- Overloading the battery: When you place excessive weight on your vehicle, the battery must supply more current than it can handle. The high current causes overheating, which damages car batteries.
- Storing the battery in extreme conditions: Cold temperatures slow the battery’s chemical reactions, whereas hot temperatures evaporate the battery fluid. Both decrease the charge. So store your vehicle in temperatures around 59℉ to prevent a battery problem.
To maintain your car battery, ensure you:
- Clean the battery: Remove corrosion with a wire brush 1-2 times a year to prevent buildup around the battery posts. Make sure to disconnect the battery first. You can get a shock if the wire brush touches the battery terminals.
- Maintain optimal levels of battery water: Low battery water levels lead to overheating, while high levels dilute the battery acid. To maintain optimal levels, the water should reach the top of the lead-acid plates.
- Practice good driving habits: Certain driving habits (like frequent short trips) limit the time the alternator has to recharge the battery. Drive your car for a little longer once a week to recharge the battery properly.
Keep Your Honda CR-V Battery in Optimal Condition with AutoNation Mobile Service
Your Honda CR-V battery should last at least three years. But if you experience a battery problem, it’s best to fix it ASAP. You don’t want to get stuck or damage other car components.
Need some help installing the replacement battery?
AutoNation Mobile Service mechanics can replace your battery in your driveway, saving you the trip to a service center.
We’re a mobile auto repair and maintenance solution offering online bookings, exceptional customer service, and a 12-month | 12-000 mile warranty on all repairs.
Contact us if you want to schedule service for any battery or vehicle-related issues.