How Long Does a Car Battery Last?
Have you ever wondered why no one has created a clock for replaceable car parts? After all, it would be all too convenient to know exactly when your car’s battery will die. However, there isn’t any such product on the market—yet—in the Fishers, Indianapolis, and Noblesville areas, so your safest guideline is to stick with manufacturer standards.
At Andy Mohr Buick GMC, we’re dedicated to helping our local drivers anticipate what to expect in terms of repairs, replacements, and routine service. Our team of service professionals are fully certified and highly trained to make the necessary repairs to your vehicle, and we can give you some helpful estimations as to when you’ll need specific parts!
How Your Battery Works
A car battery works a little bit differently than your standard Xbox controller batteries, or even the rechargeable batteries in your Bluetooth® speaker. Rather, the battery in your car, which looks like a small plastic box with bolts on top, provides short bursts of energy that supply power to certain functions in your car, like the lights, radio, and engine.
When you turn the key in your ignition, or perhaps push the button, chemicals within the battery work together to create an electric charge. A big-enough charge produces enough electricity, allowing it to flow from the bolts on top into your ignition, thus starting your car. However, your car doesn’t rely on that power alone, as the alternator picks up where the battery leaves off.
How to Tell When Your Battery Is Going Bad
With your home devices, you can usually tell when the batteries are going dead, right? Similarly, your car will offer warning signs too. There are a couple different ways you can usually tell if you’re going to need a new battery soon, which include:
• Age: How old is your battery? Manufacturers say that most batteries should last between three and five years depending on several factors, like your driving habits or how well your battery is cared for. If your battery is approaching this magic number, it may be time to think about replacing it.
• Slow engine firing: When you turn your key or press the button to start your car, are you noticing that it’s taking a bit longer to catch these days? This is a good indication that your battery isn’t in prime condition anymore.
• Consistent jumps: A jump start is certainly handy every once in a while when it comes to accidentally leaving your lights on or some other unexpected issue. However, if you find yourself jumping your vehicle more often than not, it’s probably time to consider a new battery.
• Leaking acid: If your car’s battery is leaking acid, this could be because you’re still using an outdated part; you’ll want to address this immediately.
