How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

Have you ever gone to start your car in the morning and gotten nothing from it? It happens to the best of us, simply because car batteries aren’t built to last forever. As you drive around the Indianapolis, Fishers, and Carmel areas, your battery is being charged. However, when it reaches a certain age, that charge will become lessened, resulting in eventually needing a new battery.

At Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet, we have an on-site service center that can help you coax the maximum lifespan out of your battery. Whether it’s generally keeping your vehicle in great shape or replacing your battery when it comes time, we’re here to help!

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HOW LONG WILL A BATTERY LAST? 

The manufacturer’s recommendation for the average lifespan of a car battery is three to five years; however, most service technicians stay on the safe side with the three-year mark. If you can’t remember when you replaced the battery last, there may be some corrosion—a whitish or greenish substance that looks a bit like rock salt—around the bolts, or the engine may take longer to ignite than usual; these are both telltale signs.

You can jump start the battery if it dies from human error, like leaving the lights on, and it will come to life again. However, having to repeatedly use jumper cables on a vehicle that is having trouble starting is one of the top signals that means the battery is becoming an issue.

HOW TO PROLONG BATTERY LIFE

Simply follow these tips to help prolong the life of your car battery:

• Check the lights: When you exit your vehicle, you’ll want to double check to make sure that all the lights are turned off, as those left on can drain the car battery; this includes dome lights and any map lights that you may have turned on while preparing to exit your car.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: The hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter can be harmful to your battery. Extreme temperatures drain the life of your battery equally, so you’ll want to check the battery often in these climates to ensure proper functioning.
• Drive longer distances: Short trips will not completely charge your battery the way it needs charged, so you’ll want to limit these types of trips. Meanwhile, when you drive longer distances, your battery has the chance to recharge thoroughly. If you have to drive short distances, try stacking the trips into one lengthier journey!

 

WHAT IF MY BATTERY KEEPS DYING? 

If you have a TV controller that requires batteries, chances are that at one point or another, you’ve taken the batteries out and flipped them around to try and retain their limited power supply. By jump starting a vehicle, you’re essentially doing the same thing—coaxing every last bit of power from it. Considering this is only a temporary fix, we’re here to help you get a permanent solution.

When your car battery is relying mostly on jump starts to get your engine to turn over, give our Chevy dealership a call. At Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet, we can happily schedule a service appointment for you at our dealership, conveniently located near the Indianapolis, Fishers, and Carmel areas. Give us a call or visit our website today, and we’ll get your battery replaced right away!