It’s a vital component of getting you from A to B, but you don’t really think about it until the moment it fails. You know that moment: you sit down, turn the key in the ignition, and then…nothing. You car battery needs regular maintenance and replacement to keep your vehicle running smoothly – so if you turn the key (or press ‘Start’) and your engine is slow to respond or doesn’t crank at all, chances are it’s time to replace your battery.
How long do car batteries last?
How long is a piece of string, and how long do car batteries last? It depends! Battery manufacturers do provide estimates of battery life (ranging from three to five years), but like 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.
How to tell if your car battery needs replacing
There are several signs that may indicate that your car battery needs replacing, including if your vehicle is slow to start, feels sluggish or low on power, or feels a little rough while idling. Visually, you may notice bloating in the battery case, corrosion around the cable connections on the battery itself, or a tell-tale indicator on your dashboard.
If your car starts fine one day, then poorly the next, get your battery checked out by a professional. Book your car in for a service and let us know about your concerns. We’ll check your battery as part of a thorough service, and have loan cars available to keep you on the move while you wait.
Learn how to test a car battery with or without a multimeter.
Can a dead car battery be recharged?
If your battery is showing signs of discharge (sluggish starts, low power), a recharge may be a helpful way to keep things running until you can source a replacement or have your battery checked by a professional. Check that your battery is in decent physical condition (no cracks, leaks or bulges) before charging, and follow manufacturer’s instructions for your vehicle and battery. It can take up to 24 hours to fully recharge a discharged battery, so plan ahead if you can. Recharging is a handy interim solution to keep you on the road, but repeated recharging and use of a discharged or dead battery can put additional load on other components of your vehicle, particularly the alternator and electronic components.
When should you replace a car battery?
If your engine is sluggish to start or won’t start at all? It’s time to learn how to replace a car battery. If you’ve been recharging your discharged battery or regularly jump-starting your vehicle? Yep, get ready to replace that battery. If your battery is looking swollen or leaking? It’s battery o’clock! Sadly our car batteries don’t last forever, but our specialist technicians can help you get the most out of your battery life. We’ll test and diagnose your battery concerns, giving both you and your car the premium service experience you deserve. You’re welcome to recharge your own ‘battery’ with our complimentary coffee while you wait!
How much is a new car battery?
Batteries vary in price, depending on your vehicle’s needs. And like many things, not all batteries are made equal. What battery do you need for your car? We can recommend and install the best battery to suit your vehicle’s performance needs and your budget, while ensuring your old battery is safely and responsibly disposed of.
How to get the most from your new battery
You can extend the life of your car battery by minimising power use while the engine is off (e.g. interior lights, headlights, etc.), avoiding long periods of non-use, and making sure that you take the occasional longer trip to help your battery recharge. We regularly check your battery health as part of your car’s regular servicing and maintenance program, so if you have any worries in the meantime, let us know and we’ll take care of you and your car.
