How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
How long do car batteries last? In general, your car will usually need a new battery after three to four years.However, it’s good to know the signs you need a new one since nobody wants the experience of having a dead battery. Turning the ignition only for nothing to happen can derail your whole day. Ira Toyota of Danvers can answer all questions about car batteries for drivers in Danvers, Peabody, and Salem, MA. Learn the signs of a failing car battery and more below and then contact us to schedule a service appointment if needed.
Car Battery Lifespan
Ask around and you’ll get several different answers. Some cars will get up to five or six years out of their battery, while others will need a new one after only two years. In general, your car will usually need a new battery after three to four years.
Replacing your car battery is another part of routine maintenance. Getting your battery checked and inspected is standard for your service visits after three years, even if you haven’t needed it replaced yet.
The reason why it’s difficult to give one solid answer for how long your battery lasts is because there’s a lot of elements that can affect your battery life.
Things That Shorten Battery Life
The two biggest factors that go into how long your battery lasts are your driving habits and where you live.
Inactivity can really bring down your battery’s lifespan. If you don’t drive often or you only use the car for short trips, then it’s going to weaken your battery. If you only use the car for a brief 15-minute commute, try taking the scenic route or going on a road trip sometime to help prolong the battery’s charge.
One other thing that you should pay attention to in your driving habits is leaving the power on when the ignition is off. If you leave an interior light on overnight or leave the key in the ignition, then that’s going to kill the battery quickly.
The climate where you live is the other factor to pay attention to. If you’re driving in an area where it’s hot all year, then that’s going to wear your battery down faster than driving in a colder climate.
Signs That Your Battery Is Low
A lot of drivers don’t know their battery is low until their car won’t start. Luckily, there are some warning signs that your battery needs to be replaced.
One sign is if it’s taking your car longer to start. You’ll hear the engine cranking for longer and the ignition not turning over as soon as it used to, which means the battery’s charge has gotten weak.
Along the same lines, you may also notice that your interior lights aren’t as bright as they used to be. In some cars, a dashboard light that looks like your battery will turn on when it’s low or has low battery fluid.
Another sign to look out for is damage. If your battery is cracked or has started corroding, you’ll be able to see it just by looking at it. Sometimes, you’ll even smell it since it gives off a pungent sulfur smell.
Battery Replacement & Service at Ira Toyota of Danvers
We’re proud to offer full battery services to drivers around Danvers, Peabody, and Salem, MA. The skilled technicians in our service center can tackle all your service and routine maintenance needs, from battery replacement to transmission repair.
To help make your visits to our service center convenient and comfortable, we offer courtesy shuttle service, work stations, free Wi-Fi, a complimentary café, and a free car wash.
To learn more about how long car batteries last and all your service needs, contact us at Ira Toyota of Danvers today.