A car battery lasts 3-5 years usually. Heavier than usual wear and tear can keep a battery from lasting that long. On the other hand, some car batteries have lasted far longer, even up to 10 years.
The real question is, how long will your battery last? Well, that depends on a lot of factors, especially these three:
- How hot does it get where you live?
- What kind of car are you driving?
- What are your driving habits?
Even the way a battery was treated before you bought it can affect how long it lasts in your car.
If you own a car long enough, you’ll buy a car battery. And it can be stressful. You’re about to go to work, go home, go meet a friend, and your car battery dies.
Your whole world stops until you buy a new one—and sometimes it’s an expense you weren’t expecting. Now, your battery purchase is an investment to avoid the stress from a dead battery again.
So, it’s natural to ask: How long will your car battery last?
How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
There’s no real definitive answer to the question of “how long do car batteries last?”.
It truly depends on your vehicle, your driving habits, climate conditions, and your car care routine. In general, car batteries should last 3-4 years; it’s typical for car maintenance to have to replace this part.
Some batteries, however, could last as long as 6 years while others need to be replaced after a year or two.
Here are some of the factors that affect how long your car battery will last:
How often you drive.
Driving your car often is actually GOOD for your car battery, believe it or not. If you leave your car sitting in the driveway a lot or only take it on short trips every once in a while, it can actually drain your battery because it’s not getting the chance to charge itself up.
If your vehicle tends to spend a lot of time inactive, take it for a 30-40 minute drive every week to keep the battery in good shape.
The climate where you live.
Hot climates (like the one we live in here in Orlando, sorry) tend to take a harder toll on car batteries than cool climates.
High temps can cause accelerated corrosion inside of the battery and also cause water to evaporate out of the battery’s liquid electrolytes. This leads to decreased charge capacity and a weak starting ability.
In the same vein, extreme cold can also do a number on your car battery and shorten its lifespan. When temps go below 32 degrees, car batteries can lose up to 35% of their strength and have to work that much harder to get your car up and running.
Your accessories.
How you use your accessories (and how careful you are with them) can also have a big impact on your car’s battery. Remember, your battery is supposed to be used to start your car, not power your radio while you tailgate or run the A/C while you sit in the parking lot.
Further, if you’re not careful and accidentally leave your lights on overnight – even an interior light – it can drain your car battery and leave you stranded.
If you get routine maintenance or not.
Car battery maintenance is just as important as getting routine oil changes and tire rotations.
You should bring your car to service center so techs can clean the cables and clamps, get rid of any corrosion, check the electrolyte levels, and inspect the physical condition of the battery.
Yes, a Car Battery Can Last 10 Years. Sometimes, Much Longer.
Car batteries can last much, much longer than three to five years. In fact, Interstate’s battery guru Jeff Barron said he hears “quite often” about car batteries lasting 10 years or longer.
When a car battery lasts 10 years, it means it never took any significant, permanent damage from either sitting in high temperatures or sitting for a long time with a low charge.
There are two keys to long battery life:
- Staying fully charged
- Staying protected from temperature extremes in winter and summer
This is no guarantee, but if you park in a garage and hook up a trickle charger every so often, you may get a longer-than-average life from your battery.
Then again, you may do everything right — and the car battery you bought might have sat on the shelf too long for it to last beyond the average.
How to extend your car battery life
Check out the 8 tips below on extending the life of your car battery.
#1. Test your battery.
Knowing the condition of your car battery matters when you want to maximize its life. You can use a car battery tester to monitor its condition and decide when it’s time for a new one.
#2. Keep the battery at a neutral temperature.
When possible, avoid driving or storing your car in extremely hot or cold temperatures, which can shorten the life of your battery.
#3. Ensure that your battery is tightly fastened.
A battery needs to be well fastened to guard against vibrations that could cause internal damage. Make sure you regularly inspect your car’s battery to ensure that it is tightly fastened.
#4. Utilize a battery maintainer.
If you won’t be driving your car during winter months, a battery maintainer can help keep the battery charged. It monitors the voltage and maintains the correct level of charge.
#5. Prevent corrosion.
Keeping your battery clean is a great way to help it stay in good shape. To ward off corrosion (or clean existing spots), scrub the clamps with a toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water.
Make sure you take the proper precautions and wear safety gear when you clean your car battery.
Related Post: How to Clean Battery Terminals?- In 5 Simple Steps
#6. Turn off the lights.
Keeping your headlights and car door lights on can take a heavy toll on your vehicle’s battery. Make sure you turn them off before you exit your car.
#7. Take longer drives.
Driving your car frequently and for extended periods can help maintain the battery’s power. Car batteries can recharge at longer distances, whereas they are not able to do so at shorter ones.
Consider investing in a portable jump starter, which can help jump-start your battery without another vehicle in case you’re ever stranded.
#8. Care for your whole car.
Your car is composed of many parts working together. Taking your car in for routine tune-ups as well as properly storing your vehicle are simple ways to help ensure that your battery’s lifespan can reach its full capacity.
The battery is just one component of a well-running car, so make sure to properly maintain all parts of your car to extend its life and the life of your battery.
How do I know when my car needs a new battery?
A battery typically degrades slowly, and when it’s not capable of supporting your car’s needs any longer, symptoms will be present. Signs can include:
- Slow engine cranking
- The need for frequent jump starts
- Flickering lights
- Intermittent electrical issues
- A sulfur or rotten egg smell under the hood
A battery test should be completed every six months, especially when the battery is more than two years old.
FAQs.
What is the life expectancy of a car battery?
Car batteries can last an average of 3 to 5 years. One of the most important factors that affect a car battery’s life is the weather. A running engine under the hood is already producing high levels of heat.
Can a car battery last 10 years?
Sometimes, Much Longer. Car batteries can last much, much longer than three to five years. In fact, Interstate’s battery guru Jeff Barron said he hears “quite often” about car batteries lasting 10 years or longer.
What shortens car battery life?
The abrupt motions of daily driving like quick starts, driving around corners, and panic stops could loosen your car battery. If your battery loosens too much within your engine, this could lead to excessive vibration, which will put a strain on your battery, the surrounding components, and its circuits.
How do you test a car battery to see if it needs replacing?
Set the multimeter to 15-20 volts, hook up the multimeter to the positive and negative battery terminals, and read the voltage. Your owner’s manual will give you a clearer understanding of where your battery voltage should be, but in most cases, you’re looking for approximately 12.6 volts.
Do car batteries go bad if not used?
When the car isn’t regularly being used, there’s nothing recharging the battery, and that leads to a dead battery in as short of a time as two weeks. Think of it like a smartphone. You can use your smartphone for months without ever powering it off…as long as you charge it when the battery gets low.