Car Battery Life

Do you know the car battery life expectancy limit? Several factors contribute to the life of your car battery and these include the quality of the battery, general maintenance of the battery, and the number of times the battery is recharged. The overall life expectancy of a car’s battery is about 5 years or so, though some may last longer than others may last.

The quality of the battery can significantly increase its life expectancy. If you’ve ever heard the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ then you know it’s true. If you buy an inexpensive car battery then chances are, you will end up paying for it somewhere down the line, but if you buy an expensive car battery then chances are, you may end up not changing the battery for 7 or 8 years. The battery may cost you a bit more in the long run but you can be sure it will last for years after.
Some simple tips to increase the expectancy of the car battery life include weather conditions, battery usage and routine maintenance. No one can control the weather in any given part of the world however you can control the climate in which the battery is kept. Almost all car batteries come with climate stipulations; if you live in a colder climate then get a battery that is suited to handle those types of temperatures.

Battery usage is another factor that plays a part in the overall life expectancy. Overuse of the battery can severely shorten its life span. A few things you can do to increase the life of your battery include keeping the headlights off during the day, do not use the car horn as much, and keep the radio and air conditioning off when the car is not in use.

Routine maintenance also plays a great deal in the life span of your car battery. A few things you can do to help out include having a trained serviceman check the car battery the next time the car is in for an oil change or inspection. Make sure they clean the battery line and terminals as well as replace the water in the battery.

The number of times a battery is recharged also influences the car battery life expectancy. Most car batteries are recharged by the vehicle’s alternator, however in some cases the battery may need to be recharged using a car battery charger. The more times the car battery is recharged in this manner affects how long the battery life will last. If the battery continues to lose charge after it has been recharged this way then you will need to check the car’s alternator; if the alternator is functioning properly, you will have to replace the car battery.

Each one of these tips will help ensure that the car battery life lasts for years to come. No one likes a dead car battery especially when you are late for work and it is below freezing outside. Maintenance and prevention are the keys to having a long lasting car battery.