How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

During the life of your vehicle, you’re going to be replacing many parts in your car. One day, your car battery may fail while you’re preparing to go to Westwood or Dedham, so you’ll need to know the answer to “How long does a car battery last?”

We’ll cover when to replace your car battery near Needham and Norwood, Massachusetts, how to preserve the battery, and what causes it to lose power. Pay attention, as Porsche Westwood provides the details.

When to Replace a Car Battery

A car battery will last between three and five years depending on various factors. If you bought your car a few years ago, your car battery might be due for a replacement.

Remember that even though you may have bought the car three years ago, the battery could have been installed before that time. You can check the date code label on the battery to find out the manufacture date by examining the last four digits.

What Makes a Car Battery Lose Power?

Of course, using your car drains the battery, but other circumstances can affect its power as well. Being aware of these can help you better manage your battery’s health.

Do you keep your car in a garage or another climate-controlled environment? Parking it on the street or outside in your driveway exposes it to the harsh cold of New England winters, which can be detrimental to the battery. Cold weather can have a more severe impact than hot weather on a car battery’s lifespan.

How frequently do you use your car? If it remains unused due to extensive travel for business or pleasure, the battery can lose power through disuse.

If you drive a Porsche Cayenne or Macan and embark on weekend off-roading adventures, the battery could be drained more quickly. Driving on tough terrain can strain the battery and shorten its life.

When you’re waiting to meet up with a friend or to pick up your child at school, do you turn on the car in auxiliary mode to check the weather, listen to music, or run the air conditioner? Using the car’s electrical features without the engine running can drain the battery significantly.

How to Extend the Life of a Car Battery

Many draining scenarios can be avoided with proper awareness. Some may be unavoidable, such as when you’re off-roading or navigating rough terrain and need extra power. Let’s review some tips for battery preservation.

If you anticipate not using the car for an extended period, or your child won’t be using their car while away at college, have the battery checked beforehand. It might be a good idea to have a friend or relative start and use the car occasionally during these times.

Try to park your car in a garage or climate-controlled area if possible. During the summer, when hot weather can also drain a car battery, seek out shaded areas to park your car.

Also, you don’t necessarily need to leave your car on to listen to the radio or use the GPS. These functions can often be replicated with your smartphone.