How long do car batteries last?
Friday 2nd September 2022
Although it’s always frustrating to find your car battery completely dead, the unfortunate fact is that car batteries don’t last forever. There are many factors that contribute to the lifespan of a car battery; however, you’ll find car batteries usually last between 3 and 5 years. In this blog, we’ll explain what influences the lifespan of a car battery for both electric and petrol cars and reveal what to look out for when it’s time for a replacement.
What factors affect your car batteries lifespan?
Maintaining your car battery is just as important as general car maintenance. Your car battery’s lifespan can be affected for lots of reasons but can be extended through regular maintenance. Some of the causes of battery failure include:
Vibration: If your battery is not properly secured it can cause failure. This is due to the battery moving and vibrating inside the car, causing damage to the battery’s internal components. This is one of the leading causes of battery failure that can easily be remedied.
Temperature: Exposing batteries to extreme heat and cold can shorten their lifespan, this is because batteries need to work harder when outside of their optimal temperature. When exposed to heat for extended periods of time, the liquid inside your battery could evaporate which can lead to lasting damage to the battery.
Alternator faults: A malfunctioning alternator diode can cause your battery to overcharge or drain, both of which are dangerous for your battery’s lifespan. If your alternator causes your battery to overcharge, it will cause your battery to leak and fail and if your alternator stops charging it can cause your car’s electrical and ignition system to rapidly drain the battery.
Driving Habits: Bad habits such as frequently switching the engine off and on can drain your battery. Also, simple things, such as turning on the headlights before the engine, exerts an extra load onto the battery shortening its life span.
To avoid any nasty shocks and surprises, we recommend regularly booking your vehicle in for a free battery health check.
How long do electric car batteries last?
Electric vehicles are run by a mighty lithium-ion battery designed to withstand thousands of charging cycles and should last between 10 and 20 years. As electric vehicles depend on the battery to run as opposed to fuel, electric vehicle manufacturers have invested in the latest technology to stop the battery from losing too much charging capacity over time.
How do you know when you need a new battery?
The main clue that your battery needs replacing or has a fault, is if your car displays a battery warning symbol. If you see the illuminated battery symbol on your dashboard, it’s a good idea to get your car battery checked. It may not necessarily mean your battery is dying but could highlight other issues such as an alternator fault or damaged cabling.
One of the jobs your car will struggle with when the battery is beginning to fail is starting your engine, this is because it requires a massive surge of energy from the battery. If you turn the key in the ignition and you hear a clicking sound, it’s because there’s not enough power in your battery to start the engine. If this happens, you’ll need to jump start your battery to get your engine running and will need to replace it urgently.
Another sign your battery is beginning to fail is if you notice a reduction in power to your electrics, this could be a complete loss of power or a decrease in efficiency. You might find you notice this more in the winter months when you’re using your lights and heating more often.
If you’re experiencing any concerns with your battery’s performance, or want to prolong the life of your battery book in for a free battery health check today. If you need to replace your battery our helpful team will be happy to advise, contact your local Formula One Autocentre branch to book in your new battery fitting today.
