How Long Does a Car Battery Last on Average?
Did you know the ignition key was invented in 1949? Prior to that, drivers had to turn the engine by hand to go for a drive.
Yet, for the past 70 years, the process that gets your car going has stayed the same. And it all starts with the essential car battery.
But how long does a car battery last? How do you know when you need a new one? Read more to find out.
How Long Does a Car Battery Last?
Many people ask themselves how long does a car battery last. You want to know your car battery lifespan so you can avoid a dead battery which is more than inconvenient.
The average car battery life is from three to five years. You should replace your battery every five years according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
There are various factors that contribute to your car battery life. For example, the local temperature of where you live, the amount of time you have your car running on battery, your driving time, and the condition of your drive belt and alternator.
Keep in mind that even if you parked your car in storage for most of the year, you’d still need to replace the battery at some point.
When your battery reaches three years old, it’s smart to begin having the battery tested. You can have the battery tested when you go for your oil change.
If you change your own oil, consider purchasing a battery tester. This test lets you know how your battery is doing. Then, you can have a good idea of when you will need to replace it.
No one likes unexpected car repairs. With a battery test, you can budget for a car battery replacement.
Now let’s look at the factors that impact your car battery life.
Temperature
You go out to your car on a cold morning and it won’t start. You have a dead battery and need a jump start.
Most people know that cold temperatures sometimes mean a dead battery. But did you know that heat is also responsible for this?
The heat of past summers weakens a car battery. Often, that’s why a battery fails when it is below freezing. During cold temperatures, the starter needs more electrical current to turn over the cold engine.
Heat damages your battery by causing liquids inside the car battery to evaporate. This happens regardless of whether you are parked or driving during the heatwave. Heat also weakens internal car components.
Driving Conditions
If you regularly drive on back roads and dirt trails, it is possible that your battery cable connections will become loose.
Sometimes, this is the cause of battery issues. Tighten your battery cable connections and the battery hold-down clamp to fix this issue.
Also, if you leave the lights on or use the radio while the engine isn’t running, that weakens your battery too.
Change Your Car’s Battery
Thanks for reading! Now you know the answer to the question, how long does a car battery last?
At Dugger Battery Service, we do battery service and installations. If you need assistance, contact us today.
