The life of a car battery is 4 or 5 years on average. To avoid changing your battery too often, it is possible to optimize its lifespan by paying attention to its use: avoid parking for several weeks without driving, do not leave it exposed to weather conditions, etc.
What is the average life of a car battery?
On average, the life of a car battery is 4 to 5 years. Please note: this does not mean that you are obliged to change it beyond this period. Before carrying out any replacement, we advise you to wait at least for the appearance of the first signs of fatigue. These signs can be manifested in particular by a lack of energy when starting. If there is no sign, you do not need to change your vehicle’s battery.
The life of a battery depends on many factors such as its condition at the time of purchase. For example, a battery that is used right out of the factory will perform better than one that has been stored for a long time in the store. It is for this reason that the life of original batteries is generally longer than that of aftermarket batteries.
The use that is made of it is also a determining criterion in the evaluation of the life of the battery. A battery that only makes short journeys is never properly recharged during these and wears out more quickly.
Here are the situations that impact the life of your battery :
| Cause of aging | Explanations |
|---|---|
| A long period of immobilization | When your battery is not used much, it tends to discharge. |
| A high mileage | Sustained use puts more strain on your battery and therefore shortens its lifespan. |
| Many owners | The older your car, the more likely its previous owners have abused it. |
| Mainly city use | The horn and engine start-ups are very current-intensive. |
| extreme temperatures | The heat causes the battery liquid to evaporate (a mixture of water and sulfuric acid), and therefore reduces its capacity. |
| The many electrical types of equipment | Large screens, air conditioning, or electric seats put a lot of strain on your battery. |
| Winter is the enemy of your battery | You use your air conditioning, windscreen wipers, and headlights more, and therefore also your battery. |
A well-maintained battery, especially in winter, therefore has a longer lifespan than a poorly maintained battery. To avoid changing your battery too often, you have to adopt good reflexes and pay attention to them.
What are the symptoms of an end-of-life car battery?
The life of a car battery, therefore, depends on its use. Several symptoms will alert you that your battery is nearing the end of its life:
- You have trouble starting your car, especially in the morning;
- The battery discharges quickly;
- The battery voltage is abnormally low;
- The vehicle’s electrical equipment ( windshield wipers, headlights, etc.) works poorly or with low intensity;
- A bad smell comes from the battery ;
- The battery light is on.
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How to increase your car battery life?
The average life of a car battery is 4 to 5 years, but it is possible to extend it or at least not shorten it by following certain good reflexes. Indeed, maintaining your battery properly and using it correctly can optimize its lifespan.
Necessary material :
- protective gloves
- A multimeter
Tip #1: Regularly check the status of your battery
The battery voltage tells you its condition. Check it from time to time with a multimeter, especially in winter. Below 12.6 volts, use a battery charger to raise the voltage to around 13 volts to recharge it. In the event of an overload (+ 14.7 V), it may be the alternator or the regulator which is at fault.
Tip #2: Park your car well
If you can, park in a garage or a place less exposed to cold, high heat, and humidity. Both heat and cold can damage your battery. Also, don’t leave your car parked for too long without using it, especially if the battery is old.
If the battery of a car that drives a lot sees its lifespan shortened by dint of use, the battery of a car that never drives suffers even more.
Disconnect your battery if you immobilize your vehicle for several weeks
Indeed, the battery of an immobilized car risks being drained. Store it in a dry place while using a battery maintainer. Warning, on the most recent vehicles, by disconnecting your battery you risk losing the car radio code, the sequential memory of the electric windows, or even the coding of the keys.
What maintenance for the battery of an electric car?
Whether your car is electric or not, you must provide it with special maintenance to ensure the longevity of its parts. This rule is all the more true for the batteries which are the centerpieces of these vehicle models.
The factors that will come into play here will be the charging and discharging cycles. In fact, the more the cycles go by, the more the battery of an electric car loses capacity. Current technology makes it possible to extend the life of batteries. But in case of lack of maintenance, you can easily see this part deteriorate.
Be aware that heavy discharges and overcharges seriously damage lithium batteries. We, therefore, advise you to avoid them if you want to preserve your vehicle’s battery. When you ride in cold weather and turn on the heating, you reduce the performance of your battery at the same time. This is also the case with the air conditioning in summer or the event of too sudden acceleration.
Important: the lifespan of lithium batteries is 8 years on average. Moreover, some manufacturers offer guarantees on the elements that make up your battery. These warranties can range from 8 to 10 years or relate directly to mileage ( between 160,000 and 240,000 kilometers ).