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Car Care Advice

How Long Does a Car Battery Last? (+ How to Extend its Life)

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

But like all good things, car batteries have a finite lifespan. Add before you know it, you can end up with a dead battery.

So how long does a car battery last?
Read on to find the answer. We’ll also explore the early signs of a dying lead-acid battery and how to maximize your battery’s lifespan to get your money’s worth.

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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 based on its ability to hold a charge and recharge effectively. This varies for different types of car batteries, depending on their chemical composition.

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

The type of battery isn’t the only thing that determines your car battery lifespan. 
Let’s explore other factors that affect battery life.

What Affects the Car Battery Lifespan?

Since lead-acid batteries are the most common type of battery, here are some aspects that impact their longevity: 

1. Time

Battery degradation occurs gradually with each charge from the alternator, leading to a decrease in capacity over an extended period.

A 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). 

But don’t expect it to fail all at once.
For example, after 1000 full cycles, a cell may only hold 80% of its original capacity. It’ll keep working until its capacity drops to 60%, which may happen 2000 cycles later. This means the risk of a sudden battery death is low.

That’s why most lead-acid 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 aids the chemical reaction needed to generate electricity, making it easier to start an engine in warm weather than cold. But heat also accelerates battery degradation. 

How?
Extreme heat evaporates the battery fluid between the lead plates, which damages internal cells and reduces battery life. 

That’s why the average car battery life in regions with cold temperatures is about 5 years but only around 2.5 years in extreme heat. Some cars have battery shields 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 cold temperatures may slow down the chemical reaction, reducing battery capacity. 

3. Vibration

Vehicle movement creates vibrations that can affect internal battery parts and break them down over an extended period.

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

4. Charging

Overcharging causes battery fluid leakage, while undercharging accelerates car battery drainage. Allowing a car battery to drain completely will speed up battery degradation — even if you recharge it afterward. 

Other charging system issues, like a bad alternator, can also shorten the battery life quickly. 

It’s best to schedule service or have an auto repair expert check the entire charging system to diagnose the problem correctly.   

5. Usage

Leaving your vehicle stationary for a long period will deplete the battery charge. And the more onboard electronics the car has, the faster the battery will drain to support them. 

But that’s not all.

Taking frequent short trips can also strain your battery. That’s because the battery’s 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. 

Tip: Drive one or two loops around the block instead of one short trip down your street. Following such driving habits will help extend your car battery life. 

But how can you tell if your car has a dying battery? 

What Are the Symptoms of a Failing Car Battery?

Here are some warning signs that indicate a battery problem:

1. Longer Engine Cranking Times

If your engine takes longer than usual to turn over, it’s a sure warning sign that your car battery is close to failure.

2. Dim Headlights and Electrical Problems

A weak battery will struggle to power all electrical systems in a vehicle — which is most apparent with dimming headlights. 

Here’s a quick way to check: 

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

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

Let’s say you turn the key in the ignition, and it only gives you a click or buzz without the engine starting. But the headlights or dashboard lights are functioning fine. This battery problem happens when it doesn’t have enough power to start the engine. 

In such cases, you may have to use jumper cables to get your battery charged and tested

If the problem isn’t the vehicle battery, another component, like a bad starter motor, might be drawing too much power. 

The dashboard battery light or check engine light turning on doesn’t always mean a dead battery. It can also indicate problems with the alternator.

Let a mechanic perform a battery test to diagnose the issue. 

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. Unpleasant Smell

The lead acid battery contains sulfuric acid between the lead plates. That’s why a damaged or leaking car battery can emit an unpleasant smell of rotten eggs that come from the acid.

Driving with a leaking battery can cause an explosion. It’s best to call roadside assistance and replace your battery.

6. Corrosion on Battery Terminals

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

Tip: Clean the corrosion buildup with baking soda and get regular battery service.

7. The Battery Is Out of Shape

Exposure to extreme temperatures can bloat, swell, and crack the battery casing. If your car’s battery looks misshapen, call roadside assistance and get a new car battery ASAP.   

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

How Do I Maximize My Battery’s Lifespan?

Here are a few good driving habits and car maintenance tips to help sustain your battery:

Have more questions?
Let’s answer them.

7 FAQs about Car Batteries

Here are answers to some common battery-related questions you may have:

1. When Should I Get the Battery Checked?

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

If you live in a warm climate, get an annual battery test after 2 years. Those in extreme cold weather can wait up to 4 years. 

2. Are All Car Batteries the Same Size?

No, they’re not. 

Car batteries come in different sizes — ensure the new one is a quality battery of the correct size.  It should fit securely in the mountings and connect 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 a lot of electronics, often uses the AGM battery or an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB). 

In electric vehicles, 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 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 is to crank the engine. 

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.

5. How Much Does a Car Battery Replacement Cost?

A battery replacement price changes based on the vehicle make, service center location, and battery supplier. 

On average, a new car battery can cost between $115 to $500, including parts and labor charges. 

6. How Do I Charge a Car Battery?

Charging a battery requires additional tools and technical knowledge — that’s why you should leave it to a professional.

Here’s what a mechanic will do: 

  1. Turn off the car and locate your automotive battery. 
  1. Detach the battery clamps in the right order. 
  1. Plug 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). 
  1. Turn on the battery charger and charge it 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 can start your car within 30 minutes to an hour of recharging. 
  1. Once the battery charger is off, they’ll remove the clamps in reverse order — negative (black) first, followed by the positive (red) clamp. 
  1. Using a battery tester, they’ll check the vehicle’s battery volt (voltage). It should read 12.6 V or more when the car is off and between 13.7-14.7 V if it’s on. 

Note: It’s helpful to use a battery maintainer to keep your battery charged or topped up when storing your vehicle for an extended period. 

7. Does a New Battery Require Charging?

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

Get Your Car Battery Fixed with AutoNation Mobile Service

Everything from your driving habits to the weather can wear out your battery. That’s why you should schedule service regularly and get repairs at the first sign of car battery trouble. 

If popping by a service center for a new battery or oil change service feels like a hassle, don’t worry — that’s where AutoNation Mobile Service can help.

We’re a mobile auto repair and maintenance service, offering transparent pricing, easy online bookings, and a 12-month, 12,000-mile repair warranty.
Contact us and we’ll fix all your car troubles right in your driveway.