Batteries can become worn down in as little as three years After three years, it's normally time to install a replacement. After four or five years, most car batteries will be almost completely unreliable. Old car batteries can present a number of safety and reliability issues.
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.
Typically, modern alkaline batteries, and other primary batteries such as the 3.6–3.7 -volt lithium batteries, can be stored for up to 10 years with moderate capacity loss. As with all batteries, they should be kept away from extreme temperatures and should never be frozen.
Batteries gradually deteriorate until they can no longer provide enough power to start an engine. This wear time could take three to five years and a vehicle's usage pattern is one factor contributing to the rate at which a battery will age.
There are many variables that come into play when figuring out a battery's lifespan. Some batteries, you buy and continue working for 10 or more years without issue. Sometimes, though, you install a battery and it gives up after only a couple of years.
After three years, it's normally time to install a replacement. After four or five years, most car batteries will be almost completely unreliable. Old car batteries can present a number of safety and reliability issues.
Typically, the average car battery life is between three and five years. Pushing a battery longer than five years, even under perfect driving conditions, could cause your battery to fail without notice. For that reason, many manufacturers recommend a replacement schedule of five years.
Most manufacturers recommend storing a battery for six to nine months maximum before use, and delaying use isn't going to extend the battery's lifespan of three to five years.
A lot can depend on what condition your car battery is in. If you know your car battery is relatively new and has been kept in good condition, it can probably sit unused for about two weeks before it goes flat. If you've left your car unused for over two weeks, it's quite likely you'll need professional assistance.
The easiest way to find out the age of your battery is to locate the battery under the bonnet. Many batteries have a date on top of them which shows when they were manufactured. This date will help you figure out how old your car battery is.
Check the voltage
Carefully remove the covers on the battery terminals and connect the positive side of the voltmeter to the positive (red) terminal first. Then connect the negative side of the voltmeter to the negative (black) terminal. Now, check your reading. A healthy battery should read between 12.4V and 12.7V.
Factors that can shorten its life include an extended period of partial or full discharge, vibration from not being properly secured, under- or overcharging, extreme temperatures, water loss, electrolyte contamination and corrosion on terminals.
THREE TO FIVE, WITH GOOD BEHAVIOR. Battery manufacturers suggest the average lifespan of an auto battery falls anywhere between three and five years — and for good reason.
Service experts estimate that you should replace your car battery every four to five years.
The good news is that the new battery can sit unused for two to four years and still work—as long as it's properly stored and maintained. Your unused car battery can be safely shelved for years if you: Store the battery upright. Keep it in a dry, well-ventilated area.
In general, car batteries should last 3-4 years; it's typical for car maintenance to have to replace this part. Some batteries, however, could last as long as 6 years while others need to be replaced after a year or two.
On average, a well-maintained and properly-installed car battery will last between three and five years. Once your battery reaches three years of life, it's recommended to have it assessed and tested.
Depending on power, size, and quality, prices for a replacement car battery range from about $45 to $250. Your local dealership, auto parts store or automotive service center can check your current battery or hook you up with a new car battery.
What Happens if You Don't Replace Your Battery? Replacing a dying battery is not something you want to postpone for too long. As a battery gets closer to dying, it will become less and less reliable. Over time, it won't be able to turn over your engine, forcing you to jumpstart your vehicle in order to get it running.
Generally, electric vehicle batteries last 10-20 years, but some factors may reduce their lifespan.
This loss of capacity (aging) is irreversible. As the battery loses capacity, the length of time it will power the product (run time) decreases. Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) when not in use or while in storage.
Battery Newness
The age of the battery is indicated by a letter and number code directly on the battery. The letter stands for the month and the number stands for the year of manufacture. It's a bad idea to buy a battery that is older than six months from the date of manufacture.