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Every vehicle, even an EV, has a 12-volt battery in the engine compartment. This battery powers your vehicle’s accessories, like the air conditioning, radio, power locks, power doors, and all of the lights. Your vehicle’s battery also starts your car, truck, or SUV in Willoughby and everywhere else you drive.
Read on to learn more about the average vehicle battery life, how often you need a car battery change, and how to care for your vehicle’s battery with our guide. We’ll also answer, “How long do car batteries last?”
The average vehicle battery life is three to four years of use in Madison and beyond. How often you need a car battery change can vary on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. It also depends on the conditions in which you drive because extreme temperatures can affect the average vehicle’s battery life.
You also need to know the signs of a dying car battery. No matter how well you drive or even in ideal driving conditions, your car battery will expire at some point. When you notice the signs of a dying battery, it’s time to get a new one before it completely goes out. A dead car battery can ruin your entire day or even a family vacation.
Experts may disagree on the average vehicle battery life based on the quality of the battery, too. Some may suggest waiting five or six years for a car battery change. Others may recommend waiting as little as one to two years before the power source gets weaker. We recommend a car battery change every three to four years, which is a good way to avoid issues while still getting a lot of use out of your average vehicle battery life.
Like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake services, a car battery change is a crucial part of routine vehicle maintenance. Our service technicians, and any good service technician, will inspect your car battery every time you bring it in for service. So, when you get a tire rotation every 6,000 to 7,500 miles, our team will look over the battery to see if you might need a new one!
Your driving habits can shorten car battery life, resulting in the need for battery changes before three or four years or even sooner.
See what can make your average battery life even less than the recommended time frame.
Leaving your car idle for long periods of time can actually drain the battery. That’s because the alternator, which turns when your engine is running, recharges the battery in Painesville. During your commute, try taking the longer scenic route, giving your car’s battery a longer time to charge from the alternator. Remember to turn off all the lights before you turn off the engine, and make sure you don’t leave the accessories running for a long time before starting your vehicle.
Driving in a hot climate year-round will weaken your battery more than if you drive in a cooler climate. Heat is the enemy of electrical systems and your car battery because it causes your battery to drain faster. Yet, extremely cold temperatures can make it hard to start your vehicle depending on the cold cranking amps it’s rated for.
Take a look at the signs you need to look for when it’s time for a car battery change:
Age or a battery leak is the most obvious sign it’s time for a car battery change. If your car battery is approaching three years old, our team can perform a battery load test to make sure it’s healthy.
How long do car batteries last? Now that we’ve answered this question, do you think it’s time to bring your vehicle in for a battery check? Contact us or call (440) 210-7112 to schedule service with our team. We’re happy to help in any way we can!