12-Volt Battery Exchange

Not all low-voltage batteries are the same

Many EVs use a conventional lead-acid or AGM 12-volt battery, while some newer vehicles use a lithium-ion low-voltage battery with its own management electronics. These are not interchangeable. Fitting the wrong type can cause warnings or charging faults, and some vehicles need the new battery registered with the car's computer. We confirm the correct part for your exact vehicle before we roll, and if your car requires a dealer-only battery or a registration tool we do not carry, we will tell you up front.

Signs it is time to replace

• You needed a jump-start more than once in a few weeks.
• A 12V battery or low-voltage system warning keeps returning.
• The battery tested weak or failed a load test after a jump.
• The battery is old for its type and you plan to leave the car parked for an extended period.
• The car loses settings, the app cannot reach it, or the doors unlock intermittently.

Where the battery lives

On some EVs the 12-volt battery is under the front trunk floor, on others it sits beneath a cabin panel or in the rear. A few require removing trim pieces or panels to reach it. If the car has no power, some models need a specific procedure to open the front trunk. We follow the service information for your model so trim clips, seals and connectors are refitted properly.

What happens to the old battery

Old lead-acid and lithium batteries should not go in household trash. We take the old battery with us for recycling through appropriate channels, or return it to you if you prefer to handle it.

Warranty considerations

If your car is under the manufacturer's warranty, the low-voltage battery may be covered. In that case it is usually better to have the dealer replace it, and we can get the car running with a jump-start so you can drive there. We will ask about warranty status when you call so you do not pay for something the manufacturer would cover.

Questions we ask before the visit

1. 1What is the make, model, year and, if available, the VIN?
2. 2Is the vehicle still under the manufacturer’s warranty or an extended service plan?
3. 3Has the car needed a jump recently, and how many times?
4. 4Are there warning messages about the 12V or low-voltage system?
5. 5Where is the car parked, and is there room to open the hood or front trunk?

These questions let us bring the correct battery and tools, avoid a wasted trip and tell you whether a dealer visit might be the better route. If the vehicle uses a battery type we cannot supply, we will say so before you pay anything.

After installation

Once the new battery is fitted, we confirm the car wakes, enters ready mode and begins charging the low-voltage battery from the main pack. Some vehicles reset certain settings after a battery change, such as window auto-up positions, clock or radio presets; we will point out anything we see. If a warning persists, it may need a dealer scan tool to clear, and we will tell you rather than leaving you to discover it later.

Disposal of the old battery

We take the old low-voltage battery with us for recycling through an appropriate channel. Lead-acid batteries are among the most recycled products in the country, and lithium batteries need their own handling. You do not need to arrange anything yourself.