How long is a piece of string? About the same length as the life of your car battery… They rarely cross our minds until the moment they fail, but car batteries are the life force of our vehicles, keeping electrical systems alive and running smoothly. Read on to learn how long a car battery should last.
How long does a car battery last?
It depends! Many factors influence car battery longevity. While most manufacturers provide an expected lifespan of between three and five years, a range of factors influence how long your battery will last in practice, including quality of installation, climate, exposure, battery type, driving regularity and style.
If you’re driving a vehicle with Idle Stop Start (ISS) technology, your vehicle will be equipped with specialist batteries that are designed to cope with the increased electrical loads required for repeated restarting after being stationary. These batteries may have a different lifespan to those of vehicles without ISS technology, depending on your driving conditions and use. Battery packs in hybrid vehicles generally continue to hold their charge for up to eight years before degradation starts to take hold.
What causes a car battery to die?
Time is the ultimate nemesis of all car batteries, but other factors can bring a car battery to a premature demise.
Extreme temperatures
Hot weather: High temperatures wreak havoc on car batteries. Extreme heat may evaporate a battery’s electrolyte content, reducing its ability to hold a charge. Sweltering conditions can also accelerate other chemical reactions, or cause the expansion – and physical damage – of components.
Cold weather: Low temperatures are equally harsh on car batteries. Cold weather thickens engine oil, making it harder for the battery to turn the engine over. This increased strain can wear down the battery over time, as can a slow-down of chemical reactions required to generate and hold charge. Extreme cold can also cause battery components to become brittle.
Poor maintenance
Neglecting your car battery is a surefire way to shorten its lifespan. Over time, battery connections will naturally corrode, impacting performance. Regularly checking and cleaning these connections can go a long way in preserving the battery.
Frequent short trips and inactivity
If your typical driving routine consists of short trips and long periods of inactivity, your battery may suffer. Short trips don’t give the alternator enough time to fully recharge the battery, gradually depleting its capacity. Similarly, extended periods of inactivity can lead to self-discharge, leaving you with a dead battery when you need it most.
3 ways to prolong your car battery’s lifespan
You can extend the life of your car battery in several ways. Here are 3 quick tips to prolong your car battery’s lifespan:
- Minimise power usage when the engine is off: One easy way to preserve your car battery is to minimize power usage when the engine is off. Avoid leaving interior lights, headlights, or other electrical accessories on for extended periods. These can drain the battery, especially if the engine isn’t running to recharge it.
- Regularly drive longer distances: If your daily driving typically consists of short trips, consider taking longer drives occasionally. Longer drives allow the alternator to recharge the battery fully, preventing it from becoming overly depleted. This simple adjustment in your driving habits can significantly prolong your battery’s life. Need some long-distance inspiration? Check out our tips for some of Victoria’s best driving roads.
- Schedule regular maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for the health of your car battery. We check your battery each and every time you bring your car to us; inspecting connections for corrosion, testing health, and ensuring optimal performance.
Should I replace a flat car battery myself?
While you can replace a car battery yourself, replacing a car battery is no longer as simple as taking the old one out and popping in a new one. Modern vehicles rely on complex computerised electrical systems, with varying components – from the engine control module through to transmission, security and navigation systems – that rely on constant power to retain memory. Car batteries that aren’t configured according to detailed vehicle manufacturer guidelines have a shorter life, suffer from under-charging and may even significantly damage your car’s electrical system. Our strong recommendation is to call your roadside assist service if you’re stuck by the side of the road with a dead battery or to get your vehicle in to see our experts as soon as you notice any early tell-tale signs of battery failure.
We’ll keep your battery going longer
We regularly check battery health as part of your car’s regular servicing and maintenance program. Our team will use our sophisticated diagnostic tools to identify and rapidly resolve any car battery issues, and we’ll keep you on the move with a loan vehicle, free of charge. Book a service today.
