How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
The battery is a critical component of your car. Without this part, you can't even think of going anywhere fast. Therefore, you should keep a close eye on its health and performance. Are you searching for how long do car batteries last? Well, on average, they can last between 3 and 5 years.
In general, the life of a car battery depends on several factors, including but not limited to climate, driving habits, battery quality, and electrical load. This article presents a comprehensive discussion of the car battery lifetime, signs of failing batteries, when to replace a battery, and how you can make your car battery last longer.
How long do car batteries last?
Most of the time, car batteries survive for up to 3 to 5 years, as stated earlier, but this is not a fixed number. Remember, this is the average car battery life expectancy and can vary depending on various factors, as discussed in the section below.
When we say 3 to 5 years, many people get confused about whether they should count it from the year of manufacturing or the time it is installed. Experts say that the car battery life varies widely, with minor changes in one variable.
Potential variables that largely impact the battery's performance include where you purchase a battery, the driver, the climate, and the car. A battery can last for up to 10 years after installation. At the same time, it can be dead even before you install it in your car.
If you want to estimate your car battery life, consider the weather in which you drive most of the time. In summer, fluid evaporation usually damages car batteries' internal components. This is why the battery life reduces in the summer. Regardless of the weather or any other parameter, it is for sure that your battery will keep delivering power for a long time if you maintain it properly.
Factors that affect car battery life
Let's now discuss the potential variables that largely impact your car battery life.
1. Climate
Extreme hot and cold environments affect the car battery life significantly. Hot weather can evaporate the battery's fluid, overcharge a battery, and corrode the terminals. They all lead to the degradation of battery performance and lifespan. Similarly, an extremely cold climate slows down the chemical reactions within the battery, resulting in freezing structures and reduced power.
Extreme temperatures can impact the performance and lifespan of lithium batteries. Learn whether lithium batteries can freeze and discover essential tips for maintaining their optimal condition in cold climates by reading this informative guide.
2. Driving habit
Driving time matters a lot in determining the car's battery lifespan. If you go on frequent short trips, the battery will not be able to charge fully. It may lead to a situation called undercharging. With time, the lifespan and capacity of an undercharged battery are reduced.
3. Battery quality
A bad-quality battery can come with various problems, such as engine issues, electrical malfunctions, starting problems, and more. All these parameters make batteries last for a shorter period. Therefore, expert technicians always recommend buying batteries from a reputed seller like Renogy. Similarly, different battery types offer different lifespans. For example, the lifespan of a flooded lead-acid and an AGM battery is 3-5 and 6-10 years, respectively.
4. Electrical load
Modern cars come with a range of electronic components that keep draining the battery even if the car's engine is off. This is why the battery drains faster in modern vehicles than in relatively old cars. More electrical load means faster battery drain and a smaller lifespan.
5. Vibrations
Vibrations significantly accelerate the degradation and cause corrosion. As a result, the internal components of a car battery are damaged. This is how the vibration negatively impacts the life of a battery.
6. Maintenance
Monitoring the battery charge, using your car regularly, regular inspection, and avoiding draining your battery unnecessarily are all important to make your car battery last longer.
5 signs your car battery is failing
Now that you know the factors that affect the battery's life. It is time to get familiar with the potential signs of failure. Below is a list of a few of them.
1. Slow engine cranking
A slow engine crank is a major sign of a failing car battery. When you turn on the car with the key, power is delivered from the battery to the engine. If the battery fails to deliver the required power, the engine will crank slower than normal. Slow engine cranks produce a repetitive chirping sound for a few seconds.
2. Dim headlights
If you notice that the headlights are not as bright as they used to be, it is an indication of a failing car battery. The reason behind this fact is that the battery can't deliver the needed power, resulting in dimmer or weaker headlights.
3. Check engine light
The check engine light appears on your car's dashboard to let you know that one or more components of your vehicle need attention. If there is something wrong with the charging system, this light will glow on the dashboard. When you see this light glowing, it possibly means that your battery is failing.
4. Corrosion
Corroded terminals visually indicate that your car battery may have failure issues. Corrosion on battery terminals can cause electrical issues, reduced lifespan, underperforming batteries, difficulty in starting, and more. It may also result in short-circuiting and overheating of car batteries.
If you want to clean corrosion from the battery terminals, use a mixture of water and baking soda. Applying this mixture to the terminals and cleaning them with a wire brush will swim your worries away. For more details, learn more about what causes battery terminal corrosion.
5. Swollen battery case
The bloated or swollen battery case indicates that your car battery is either about to fail or has already failed. If the battery case is swollen, replace it on priority to avoid facing further issues with your car.
How to make your car battery last longer?
Now you are familiar with signs of a failing car battery. Let's learn how you can make it last longer.
- Regular maintenance: Checking battery connections, keeping the terminals clean, and regular inspection can help the battery last longer.
- Limit short trips: Frequent short trips don't allow the car battery to charge fully. Therefore, limit these trips to let the battery charge and deliver power for a long time.
- Switch off electronic components:Don't forget to turn off electronic components (such as lights and other accessories) when the car is off. Doing this will stop batteries from draining faster, and they will last longer.
- Store properly: Disconnect the negative terminal first and then remove the positive terminal. Once done, store your car battery in a cool and dry place for optimal performance in the long run.
- Use a battery maintainer: A battery maintainer, also known as a trickle charger, can help you get the maximum out of your car's battery. It is a special tool for classic cars with weak batteries. In addition, a trickle charger avoids overcharging and extends the battery life.
When to replace your car battery?
Replacing a car battery before it fails to perform its function is important because a dying or weak car battery may leave you stranded on the roadside, resulting in safety risks and inconvenience, especially in bad weather conditions. Moreover, failing car batteries can also harm other components, compromising airbags and reducing fuel efficiency.
The potential signs of a battery that needs frequent replacement include dim headlights, bad smell coming out of the battery, corroded battery terminals, check engine light, and frequent jump starts, as we have discussed earlier.
Are you still confused about whether or not you should replace your car battery? Don't worry. The simplest, quickest, and safest way is to consult a trained, experienced, and licensed professional and get your vehicle tested for better decision-making.
The typical cost of a new car battery can be somewhere between $185 and $400. However, the actual cost depends on several factors, such as make, model, and battery type. If you want to buy reliable car batteries at a fair price, be sure to explore the finest battery collection at Renogy.
How long does a car battery last without driving?
Usually, a car battery can last for 1-2 months without driving. However, it depends on how the battery is stored and its condition. If you allow your car battery to sit for more than one to two months, it will kill the components.
If your car is equipped with a lot of electronic components and advanced features (such as remote starting and keyless entry), it won't last for over 3-4 weeks without driving.
Even if you turn off the car, its components keep consuming the battery power. The security system stays active, the onboard computer keeps storing the engine's data, and the antennas keep listening to commands. This is how the car battery keeps draining.
If your car battery is weak and you leave it for a couple of days or weeks without driving, you will most probably need to jump-start your vehicle. Otherwise, you may not be able to start it.
Conclusion
The answer to the question "How long can a car battery last" is 3 to 5 years. Remember, it is an average lifespan for most vehicles, and it can vary depending on a range of factors, such as weather, driving habits, maintenance, vibrations, battery quality, electrical load, and more.
Regular maintenance, frequent inspection, avoiding short trips, and proper storage can make your batteries last longer. If you notice a swollen battery case, corrosion on battery terminals, a smell coming out of the battery, and a flashing check engine light, it is time to replace your car battery. Remember to consult a professional technician while replacing the battery.
FAQs
Can a car battery last for 10 years?
Yes, it is possible for a car battery to last for up to ten years (if maintained and stored properly), but it is rare. Usually, the car battery survives for 3-5 years. The lifespan of nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries is 3 to 10 years.
How do I check the health of my car battery?
The simplest, quickest, and easiest way to check the health of your car battery is to use a digital multimeter to check the battery voltage after a long drive. If the multimeter reads the voltage between 12.5V and 13.5V, it means the battery is healthy. If the voltage level is low, your car battery needs charging. Moreover, smooth engine cranks also indicate that the battery is healthy.
What shortens car battery life?
Loose connections, corroded battery terminals, leaving the vehicle unused for a long time, extreme temperatures, leaving the lights on, and frequent short trips significantly shorten the car battery life.
