Discover the Hidden Gem of Walmart Car Batteries
Walmart sells car batteries at affordable prices and can last as long as top brands. They offer their private label, making it one of the best places to buy car batteries. With its low prices, great selection, and convenient locations, Walmart is a top choice for many drivers looking to replace a cheap car battery. Whether looking for a long-lasting, high-quality car battery or a more budget-friendly option, Walmart is a great place to start your search.
At most Walmarts, you will find an automotive section towards the back of the store, where you will see several shelves filled with car batteries. Based on our research Walmart offers the best prices on car batteries. We compared Walmart battery prices to auto part stores such as Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone.
Having previously purchased four Walmart car batteries, we want to give you an insight and answer some common questions that most people have regarding Walmart car batteries.
How much is a car battery at Walmart?
Walmart car battery prices range from $65 up to $140. The battery’s price depends on the battery size and grade (Value, Plus, Maxx). For example, we were looking for a new battery for a Europen vehicle.
At our local Walmart, the battery was listed for $129.76.
The same size battery was listed for $200 at Advance Auto Parts.
Advance Auto Parts also had a cheaper alternative priced at $131.99, but this had a shorter warranty.
The same size battery was listed for $159.99 at the local AutoZone part store. AutoZone battery line is known as Duralast. Based on our research, Walmart offers the best prices on a new car battery and very competitive warranty terms.
Battery prices vary by group size. Most batteries at Walmart range from $65 to $140, while the average price for a Walmart battery is $98. The price of the battery will vary as it depends on two factors:
- battery size
- battery-grade (Value, Plus Maxx).
How do I choose the right Walmart battery for my car?
When you buy a car battery from Walmart, make sure to match the group size. Your old battery should have the group size printed on top. Sometimes, the group size is not printed on the old battery, or the grouping may differ from what Walmart uses.
To find the correct Walmart car battery for your car, you can also use the Battery Finder tool developed by Walmart.
In addition to the battery size (group size), we recommend choosing a battery with Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) and Cranking Amps (CA) that are as close as possible to the battery that is installed in your car.
Are Walmart car batteries any good?
So your next question is, “Are Walmart batteries any good?” All the batteries we purchased from Walmart have lasted as long or longer than the warranty period.
Is it possible that a Walmart battery will fail before the warranty expires? Absolutely. But if that does happen, you are covered by the warranty. If that is the case, stop by any Walmart store to get a free replacement. You don’t even need the receipt.
We have found that Walmart car batteries are as good, if not better than DieHard batteries sold at Advance Auto Parts and Duralast batteries sold by Autozone. Which battery type you purchase will also make a difference.
How long do Walmart car batteries last?
How long a Walmart car battery lasts depends if you have EverStart Value, Plus, or Maxx. Based on our experience, the EverStart Value can last two to four years. While the top of the line, EverStart Maxx lasts anywhere from three to five years.
EverStart plus battery was manufactured in 2017 and returned as a bad core to a local store in August 2021. It lasted four years before going bad and stopped holding a charge. Four years is the typical life of a battery on modern vehicles.
The exact life of a Walmart battery depends on how often the battery is used and even the environmental conditions. In freezing climates, the battery won’t last as long. This brings us to the next question: ” How long is the warranty on Walmart car batteries?”.
Walmart Battery Warranty
Walmart battery is one year, two years, or three years for Value Power, EverStart Plus, and EverStart Maxx, respectively. Walmart used to prorate the warranty after three years, but that’s no longer the case. All new Walmart batteries come with a one, two, or three-year warranty. The warranty period varies based on battery grade, Everstart Value, Plus, and Maxx.
Each grade has a different warranty period.
- Value Power: Free replacement within ONE year of purchase
- EverStart Plus: Free replacement within TWO years of purchase
- EverStart Maxx: Free replacement within THREE years of purchase. No warranty at all after five years.
Different batteries have different warranties, so you should check the warranty for the battery that you buy. The return is painless, except that it must be done at the automotive service desk. The technician may test your old battery to determine if your battery is bad or not.
Does Walmart install car batteries for free?
Walmart will install a car battery for free. Free battery installation service is only available at Walmarts with an automotive service department, which is common in most Walmart Supercenters.
Even though all Walmart stores sell car batteries, not all are supercenters; therefore, they do not have an automotive service center. If you buy the battery from one of those stores, you must install it yourself.
What does battery core charge mean?
Walmart charges a $12 core charge, which should show on your receipt. Once you install the new battery, take back the old battery to get the core charge refunded back to your card.
An even better approach is to remove the old battery from the car and take it with you when you purchase a new battery to get credit for a core refund. Otherwise, you will be charged a battery core fee which you can get back when you return the old battery.
How does the Walmart battery warranty work?
If your battery stops working within the warranty period, you can swap it out for a replacement battery at no charge.
If your car battery no longer holds a charge, take it back to a Walmart store to get a replacement. Just make sure you are still within the warranty period.
If you don’t remember when you purchased the battery, look for a sticker on the battery side. It has the month and dates the battery was purchased.
- The battery no longer holds a charge.
- Corrosion or battery leakage
- The battery case begins to bulge.
- The battery will not charge to its full capacity.
- The battery will not start your vehicle.
Remember that you might not get a free replacement if you abuse the battery. Below you will see the damages that are not covered under warranty.
- If your battery was damaged.
- The vehicle was involved in an accident, and the battery was damaged.
- The battery was left exposed to outdoor elements and was destroyed.
- You installed the battery backward.
Ultimately, your Walmart store has the final say, and it is their discretion to make that determination.
Can I get a Walmart car battery replaced if I have no receipt?
Walmart will exchange a bad car battery even if you have no receipt as long as the battery was bought at a Walmart store and is still under warranty. The battery has a serial number label; the store associate can use this number to determine when the battery was purchased.
If you are unsure how old your Walmart battery is, look at the month/year sticker on the battery.
How do I claim a Walmart battery warranty?
To claim the Walmart Battery Warranty, you must visit the service desk at your local Walmart Auto Care Center.
You can visit a different store, but if you visit the same store it was purchased from, they might be able to look up your original receipt if you can provide the purchase date.
Additionally, the serial number of your battery might aid in identifying the purchase date.
Can you return a car battery to Walmart?
Walmart’s policy allows you to return a car battery if it has not been installed. How does Walmart know that the battery has been installed? Because the battery posts typically have marks made by battery terminals.
Who makes Walmart Everstart car batteries?
Walmart uses various manufacturers to make Everlast batteries. Who manufactured the Everlast battery sold at your local Walmart depends on the US region where the battery is being sold.
Most EverStart has been made by Johnson Controls, known as Clarios, since 2019. Other manufacturers that make Everstart batteries are East Penn Manufacturing and Alien Power Systems.
In the past, Walmart may have used Exide. Currently, Exide is not making Walmart batteries which we confirmed by calling Everstart at +1 (888) 387-8278. On May 19, 2020, Exide (and four subsidiaries) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to facilitate the sale of its North American assets.
Johnson Controls is the world’s largest battery maker globally. The owner of global brands like Varta, LTH, Heliar, MAC, Delkor, and even Optima is the sole producer of all Wal-Mart Everstart Batteries. Johnson Controls and Wal-Mart partnered together back in 2010.
Does Walmart buy old car batteries?
Walmart does not buy old car batteries. Unless you buy a new battery from Walmart, they will give you a $12 core credit for the old battery.
This is taken care of automatically if Walmart replaces your battery.
If you plan on replacing the battery, you can take the old battery to the store after installing the new one in your car. If your receipt shows a core charge of $12, you can get it refunded if you return the old battery.
Does Walmart check car batteries for free?
Walmart Auto Care Center will test and install a new battery for free. It is important to note that not all Walmart stores have Auto Car Care Centers. Typically, Walmart Supercenters have auto care centers that will test your car battery for free.
Because most Auto Car Centers are very busy, it may take anywhere from 20 min to 45 min for them to test your battery. If you don’t have a Walmart Supercenter nearby, you can test your car battery using a simple and easy-to-use Car Battery Tester.
This video shows how to test a car battery yourself.
Does Walmart sell Interstate batteries?
No, Walmart does not sell Interstate batteries. Walmart sells its brand of batteries known as EverStart.
How to Contact EverStart
Customer Service
- (800) 925-6278 Walmart EverStart Division
- (866) 496-1999 – Johnson Controls
Media
- (479) 273-4314 – International journalists
Conclusion
In our option, Walmart is one of the best places to buy a new car battery. Walmart’s car batteries are of good quality, reliable, and long-lasting. Walmart batteries are made by Johnson Controls, which makes some of the best batteries n the world, including VARTA.
Walmart also has the best prices on new car batteries. The warranty period is similar to what you will get from batteries you buy from Interstate, Advance Auto Parts, and Autozone. The only thing to remember is that even though you can buy a new car battery at any Walmart store, only supercenters with auto service centers will install it for free. Walmart does not charge to install a new battery. You will have to install the battery independently if you buy it from a store with no auto service center.
If you need to find out what Walmart battery fits your vehicle, use the Battery Finder tool. There are three Walmart car battery types: Valupower, Everstart Plus, and Everstart Maxx.
Warranty coverage for each type is as follows:
- The value powers are all one-year free replacement with the receipt.
- The Everstart plus batteries are a 2-year free replacement with the receipt.
- The Everstart Maxx batteries are a 3-year free replacement.
If you lose the recipe, you can still return the battery (as long it is still in warranty) and get a replacement, but you will have to pay taxes based on the battery’s price.
We hope you find the Everything You Need to Know About Walmart EverStart Car Battery guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your vehicle.
