How Long Does A Car Battery Last? (And How To Maximize Its Life)

Your car battery plays a key role in starting your car.

However, car batteries don’t last forever, and you may eventually end up with a dead battery.

So, how long does a car battery last?
And what can you do to maximize the battery’s lifespan?

We’ll cover both those questions in this article, highlight the signs of a failing car battery, answer some FAQs, and point you to an easy solution to a battery problem.

This Article Contains

How Long Does A Car Battery Last?
What Affects The Car Battery Lifespan?
What Are The Symptoms Of A Failing Car Battery?
How Do I Maximize My Battery’s Lifespan?
9 Car Battery FAQs

Let’s begin.

How Long Does A Car Battery Last?

Generally, your car may need a new battery after 3-5 years.

However, this number can differ because the lifespan of a car battery is determined by how long it can hold its charge and remain capable of recharging. The average car battery life also depends on its chemical composition, as there are different car battery types.

Here’s the average battery life of some common car batteries:

Lead acid battery: The conventional lead acid battery lasts 3-5 years on average.

Gel battery and AGM battery: These are a type of dry cell lead acid battery. A well-maintained gel battery or AGM battery can average 7 years.

Lithium ion batteries: An electric car like Tesla Model S uses lithium ion batteries with a fairly long lifespan. EV batteries like lithium ion batteries often have a 5-8 year warranty on them but are expected to last 10-20 years.

NiMH battery: The nickel-metal hydride battery is typically used as a hybrid car battery and has a lifespan of around 8 years.

Battery type isn’t the only thing that determines your car battery lifespan.

Let’s look at some other aspects that have an impact on battery life.

What Affects The Car Battery Lifespan?

Here are some other factors that affect the lifespan of the lead acid battery:

1. Time

Battery degradation occurs slowly as the alternator charges it up each time. As time passes, your battery capacity drops, and the battery can’t be fully charged anymore.

The lead acid battery averages for about 500-1200 charge-discharge cycles before it drops to 80% of its original battery capacity (80% is the typical limit defining battery cycle life).

Even then, battery failure doesn’t happen suddenly.

The battery degradation will continue at the same rate.

For example, after 1000 full cycles, a cell may only hold 80% of its original capacity. It keeps working until its capacity drops to 60%, maybe 2000 cycles later. This makes the risk of a sudden battery death low.

This explains why most batteries become inefficient around 3 years of regular use. However, you’ll risk sudden battery failure if you push it beyond 5 years.

2. Temperature

Heat has a two-way effect on lead-acid batteries.

It aids the chemical reaction needed to generate electricity (which is why it’s easier to start an engine in warm weather than cold). But it also accelerates battery degradation.

What happens?

Scorching weather (or an extremely hot engine) causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging internal cells, which then reduces battery life.

The average car battery life in cool regions is 5 years but only 3 years in hotter climates. Some cars come with a shield on the battery to protect them from under-the-hood heat.

Extreme temperatures can affect an electric car battery too. Hot weather may drain your electric car battery, while freezing temperatures may slow down the chemical reaction, reducing its battery capacity.

3. Vibration

Vehicle movement creates vibrations that can affect internal battery parts and cause them to break down.

Your car battery must be secured firmly in its mounting to minimize any unnecessary shakes that can shorten battery life.

4. Charging

The alternator charges the car battery when the engine is running.

Problems with the charging system can shorten the battery life quickly.

Overcharging can cause battery fluid leakage, while undercharging accelerates car battery drainage. And allowing a car battery to drain completely will speed up battery degradation and remove a hefty portion of its lifespan, even if you can recharge it afterward.

Whenever alternator issues crop up, it’s a good idea to have an auto repair expert check the entire charging system so that your car battery doesn’t deteriorate any faster than it should.

5. Usage

A vehicle battery is an energy storage device and will self-discharge slowly when unused.

Because the car battery charges while you drive, leaving your vehicle stationary for a long time will obviously deplete its charge. And the more onboard electronics the car has, the faster the battery will drain to support those electronics.

However, driving very short distances can also strain the vehicle battery. When you take a short trip multiple times, the battery charge drains faster than the charging system can recharge it. You’ll then have to jump-start your flat battery with jumper cables if your battery dies.

That’s why if you’re looking to quickly charge your car battery, make one or two loops around the block instead of one short trip down your street. Following good driving habits will help extend your car battery life.

We’ve now covered the 5 elements that affect your car battery life.

But how can you tell if your car is nearing a battery failure?

What Are The Symptoms Of A Failing Car Battery?

Here are some common flags that your car’s battery raises when it’s on its last legs:

1. Longer Engine Cranking Times

If your engine takes longer than usual to turn over and spark to life, it’s a sure sign that your car battery is close to failure. You’ll be lucky to get a few more cranks before a replacement battery is needed.

2. Dim Headlights And Electrical Problems

The battery powers the starter and all electronics in a vehicle, including the headlights, air conditioning, and onboard computer. A weak battery will struggle to run the electronics at full power, and it’ll be most apparent with dimming headlights.

Here’s a quick way to check:

Start your car at night, with the headlights on
If they’re dim, shift the vehicle into neutral or park, and then rev the engine
If your headlights brighten as you press the accelerator, it indicates low battery power

3. There’s A Click, But Engine Won’t Start

Let’s say you turn the key in the ignition, which only gives you a click or buzz without the engine starting. However, the headlights or dashboard lights are functioning fine.

You’ll likely need to pull out the jumper cables in this case, but get your battery charged and tested. If the problem isn’t the vehicle battery, there might be some hidden element drawing too much power.

The dashboard battery light or check engine light turning on doesn’t always mean a failing battery. It can also indicate problems with the alternator. The best way to figure this out is to have your mechanic perform a battery test.

Note: Cars with EV batteries often come with a low battery charge indicator instead of the low fuel indicator found in petrol or diesel vehicles.

5. There’s An Unpleasant Smell

The lead acid battery contains sulfuric acid, so a damaged or leaking car battery can emit an unpleasant smell of rotten eggs that comes from the acid.

If this happens, get your battery checked ASAP. Don’t drive with a leaking battery pack.

6. Corrosion On The Battery Terminal

Battery terminal corrosion is a common sign of battery aging and can lead to starting issues and terminal failure. It’s usually due to the battery acid’s chemical reaction with the metal battery terminals.

To help maintain your battery life, clean off any corrosion, and get regular battery service to prevent corrosion.

7. The Battery Is Out Of Shape

Your car’s battery should never look misshapen.

However, exposure to extreme temperatures can cause the battery casing to bloat, swell, and crack.

If your vehicle battery looks deformed in any way, get it checked, as there’s a high possibility of battery failure.

8. Seasonal Changes Affect Its Performance

While hot summers can evaporate the battery fluid, cold weather may slow down its internal chemical reaction. As the vehicle battery ages, its ability to adapt to seasonal changes also reduces.

If your car battery struggles with seasonal temperature changes, it’s probably time to get a new battery from a professional auto repair service provider.

9. It’s An Old Battery

If your battery pack is nearing the 3-year mark, it would be within the natural range for the car battery life to start deteriorating. To avoid getting stranded, it’s best to get a battery service and test its performance regularly.

Next, let’s look at some steps you can take to extend your car battery life.

How Do I Maximize My Battery’s Lifespan?

You’d want your car battery to last as long as possible.

Here are some good driving habits and maintenance tips you can follow to sustain battery health and maximize the car battery lifespan:

Drive your car regularly to keep your battery charged
Use a car battery maintainer (battery tender) between long engine starts
Remove corrosion from the vehicle battery terminal
Don’t remove the battery heat shield from the car battery
Don’t leave car accessories on for long periods as they can drain power
Book a regular battery service to boost battery efficiency
If you drive an electric car like Tesla Model S, ensure you shop tires with excellent durability to maximize your electric car battery range.
Check your car battery after an off-road trip for loose cable connections.

Next, let’s look at some queries related to car batteries.

We’ve now covered everything there is to know about a car battery lifespan. However, you probably have some other questions, right?

Let’s get into them:

9 Car Battery FAQs

We’ve answered some common FAQs that you likely have in mind:

1. When Should I Get The Battery Checked?

Not every failing battery displays obvious symptoms, so it’s advisable to get a battery service or inspect your car battery at every oil change.

If you live in a warm climate, get an annual battery test after 2 years.

Those in cold climates can wait up to 4 years.

2. Are All Car Batteries The Same Size?

No, they’re not.

Car batteries come in different physical sizes. Make sure the new replacement battery is of the correct size, fits securely to mountings, and connects to terminals properly.

3. What Are Different Car Battery Types For?

The standard vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) uses a regular flooded lead acid automotive battery.

A car with higher power needs, like those with stop-start engine systems or one that has lots of electronics, often uses the AGM battery or an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB).

An electric motor powers an electric car instead of an ICE, so an electric vehicle often uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with longer battery life.

4. What Is The Car Battery Group Number?

The car battery number is an industry-standard defining its:

Physical size
Hold-down configuration
Type of terminals and their locations

Replacing a car battery with the same group number as the OEM battery ensures it’ll fit correctly with no terminal issues.

5. What Does Cold Cranking Amps Mean?

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) defines how much battery power (or amps) it can deliver for 30 seconds at 0°F (-18°C). It shows how well a vehicle battery can start the engine in frigid conditions. The higher the cold cranking amps rating, the easier it’s to crank the engine.

Don’t get this confused with the Cranking Amps rating, which is based on an easier test.

Note: Never install a battery with a lower CCA rating than recommended by the car manufacturer — it might not provide enough power to run everything your car needs.

6. How Much Does A Car Battery Replacement Cost?

A battery replacement varies based on the vehicle make and model, location, and battery supplier.

On average, a replacement battery can cost between $80-$150, with premium variants going up to $200. Labor charges typically range around $70 for an installation.

7. How Do I Charge A Car Battery?

Park your car in a safe place and have your battery charger ready.

Here’s what to do:

Turn off the car and locate your automotive battery. It’s usually under the hood but sometimes can be in the trunk.

Detach the battery clamps — negative terminal (black) first and then positive (red). Keep them separate from each other.

Plugin the battery charger, but keep it off. Connect the positive charger clamp to the positive terminal (red) FIRST, then connect the negative clamp to the negative terminal (black).

Turn on the battery charger, set it to 12V, and charge as long as needed. The battery charger amperage determines how fast your battery charges up. A 4 Amp charger takes about 12 hours to charge a fairly depleted car battery, while a 40 Amp charger gets the battery to start your car within a few minutes of recharging.

When you turn the battery charger off, remove the clamps in reverse order — negative (black) first, then positive (red) clamp.

Using a battery tester (like a multimeter), check the vehicle’s battery voltage. It should read 12.6V or more when the car is off and between 13.7-14.7V if it’s on.

8. Does A New Battery Require Charging?

No, a new battery will come fully charged, so you won’t have to charge it.

9. What’s An Easy Way To Fix A Battery Problem?

If you’re concerned about your battery’s life, there’s no harm in having a reliable mechanic take a look. Better to be safe than deal with a dead battery situation later on!

Additionally, your mechanic might be able to spot another car battery problem you weren’t aware of and save you a ton of potential trouble, too.

If popping by a workshop just to check out a concern feels like a hassle, don’t worry.

That’s what RepairSmith is for.

RepairSmith is a convenient mobile auto repair and maintenance solution that offers these benefits:

Repairs and replacements can be executed right in your driveway
Professional technicians perform the vehicle inspection and servicing
Competitive and upfront pricing
Online booking is convenient and easy
Repairs are conducted using high-quality equipment, tools, and repair parts
RepairSmith provides a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty for all repairs

For an accurate estimate of any battery-related repair and maintenance costs, fill out this online form.

Final Thoughts

Your car battery doesn’t last forever, but you can prolong its lifespan. Pay attention to it and drive regularly to keep it charged.

And if you have a dead battery or face any battery issues, you can always rely on RepairSmith for help. Just contact us, and our expert mechanics will will be at your disposal ASAP!