How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

It’s coming to that time of year where we see car batteries failing more and more, this is mainly down to the increasingly colder weather creeping in. This can be a nightmare sometimes, so here’s what you need to know to reduce the risk of your battery failing as much as possible.

Photo by Nirmal Rajendharkumar on Unsplash

How long will my car battery last?

Car batteries generally last around 3-5 years, however a number of factors could increase or decrease the batteries lifespan. For example, if the car is only being used for short journeys every day, the battery could fail within the first year of it’s life. This could also be the case if there is something draining the battery or the alternator is faulty. And on the other hand, if the battery is in constant use and is being regularly checked, charged and topped up when needed, the life of the battery could go far beyond 5 years.

How do I make my car battery last?

Keep the battery clean

We’re not saying you have to clean your battery every week, however removing any build up of dirt and grime from the top of the battery along with any corrosion on the terminals will prevent the battery from short circuiting.

Ensure the battery is fastened correctly

If a car battery isn’t correctly clamped down, it can vibrate and eventually damage the insides of the battery. If the battery hold down is broken, we strongly recommend replacing it as soon as possible.

Avoid shorter journeys

If shorter journeys are avoidable it is recommended to do so. Your car battery is recharged while driving the car, so if you’re constantly making short journeys the battery doesn’t have enough time to recharge each time it’s used, leading to battery failure. Avoiding short journeys wherever possible will also help the environment so it’s a win win!

Charge the battery

If everyday short trips are unavoidable or your car isn’t used very often, charging the battery when not in use is the next best option. This will keep the battery at the desired voltage even when the car is not in use. Checking the voltage of the battery regularly is also advised, ensure that it is around 12.8 volts and no less than 12.5 volts.

Switch everything off

While your engine isn’t running, it’s best to turn as many things off as possible, this includes interior lights, headlights, radio and more. And also ensure everything is turned off when leaving your car, you definitely don’t want something draining your battery overnight or for a longer period of time.

These basic steps can all greatly increase your car batteries lifespan, along with many other things that can all be found online. And if you’re not sure whether your battery is healthy or not, there’s no harm in getting it checked. County Battery offer FREE battery checks in store, or your local garage or battery shop will be able to check your battery and hopefully put your mind at ease.

If you have any questions or need any help with any sort of battery, our team of battery experts are on hand to help, you can contact us here.