How Long Does a Car Battery Last Usually?
You turn the ignition key or press the ignition button, and nothing happens. It's a scenario of frustration and aggravation every driver dreads and usually experiences at the most unexpected times. Though we frequently obsess about oil changes and tire rotations, we rarely ever pay heed to our car batteries. If you’re in the area, Arrowhead Mercedes in Peoria, AZ, is a trusted resource for automotive care. It's essential that we learn about the average lifespan of our batteries so that we don't experience unexpected failures of our cars.
The Lifespan of an Average Car Battery
It is a consensus among most automotive specialists that an average car battery would have a lifespan of three to five years. How long do car batteries last? Note that these are guidelines and not an assurance. A car battery may blow out within three years or beyond five years if the conditions are optimal.
This three-to-five-year window is justified for a reason. By the time your battery passes three years of use, it will have begun to decompose on a chemical level. Remember that efficiency drops as it ages - it will no longer be as good at maintaining a charge and providing the necessary start-power for your engine, let alone on a chilly morning. After passing either the four or five-year mark, you are probably driving on borrowed time.
How Climate Affects Performance
The region you reside in impacts your battery life greatly. Although it seems like extremely low temperatures will be the doom of your battery because that’s when cars have trouble being turned on, warm weather will be more damaging. The reason for this relates to a reaction within your batteries that will make your fluids evaporate.
On the flip side, cold temperatures make the weaknesses more visible. As a result of low temperatures, the reaction that occurs in batteries slows down. Yet, your engine needs more start-up power because your oil has thickened due to low temperatures. Although low temperatures are not good for batteries because they hasten deterioration, it might be the last straw that breaks for some batteries.
The Role of Driving Habits
Your daily driving pattern affects your batteries more than you might have realized. It requires some time for batteries to recover from expending so much energy on the engine start. But if you drive short trips that are less than twenty minutes, then your alternator will never have enough time to fully charge your batteries. Eventually, your batteries will be stuck in an undercharging pattern, which develops a situation commonly known as stratification. Factoring in car battery life expectancy is important for understanding how your everyday habits may shorten the overall performance and replacement intervals of your battery.
Parking your car for an extended period is also bad. Although your engine may be turned off, there are still some parasitic resistive loads on your car, such as an alarm system, a clock, and computers. A car that sits for several weeks without being driven will have its batteries drained and lose its charge-retention capabilities.
Maintenance and Battery Quality
How long does a car battery last? Performing regular maintenance will help extend the life of your batteries. Corrosion on the terminals will increase resistance, causing your batteries to have to work extra hard before being able to start your vehicle and charge for next use. Cleaning corrosion will allow your batteries to have optimal contact. Also, ensuring your batteries are properly secured will prevent them from vibrating apart.
Battery quality represents the remaining variable. A better-quality battery may include superior internal build and warranties, while cheaper options might not be of sturdy enough quality to withstand tough environments.
Remaining Ahead of Battery Failure
A typical car battery will provide you with three to five years of reliable performance, but it will be up to various factors, including your local climate, your driving patterns, and your own maintenance schedule, as to exactly how long that will be. By understanding the average life of a car battery, you can get an idea about when your battery might need a replacement, as opposed to learning about it at a very inconvenient time. Once your battery hits three years or begins to display some struggles, having it checked by our team at Arrowhead Imports will be your best recourse.