How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

It’s happened to all of us. We try to start our vehicle, but it just won’t start. There are a variety of reasons for this, and one of them is a dead car battery.

BMW of Albany has put together this informational page to help drivers in the Albany, Leesburg, and Tifton, GA, areas learn more about car batteries—from how long they should last to signs they may need to be replaced.

How Long Should a Car Battery Last?

A car battery is a rechargeable battery that provides electricity to many of the systems in your vehicle, including your motor. On average, a vehicle’s battery lasts between three and five years.

There are several factors that affect battery life. The three main factors are time, temperature, and vibration.

Time

Time is a twofold factor when it comes to battery life. The first is that car batteries don’t last forever. Like all batteries, they degrade over time and need to be replaced, no matter what.

The second factor is trip length. Short, frequent trips can often wear out a battery faster than longer trips. This is due to the fact that on short trips, the car battery does not have time to fully recharge.

Quick tip: Vehicles that are parked for long periods can sometimes have batteries that discharge because there is no opportunity for the battery to recharge itself on the road. To prevent this, you can start your car and let it idle for about 10 minutes.

Temperature

When it comes to temperature, heat tends to shorten battery life. Heat, while helping to generate electricity, also speeds up battery degradation. For those living in warmer climates, your battery might last closer to the 3-year end of the spectrum.

Vibration

Vibration is the third factor that affects car batteries. Vibration under the hood can cause internal parts within the battery to break down. If the hardware designed to keep your battery in place is loose, the battery can bump into other parts under your hood, causing vibrations.

Signs You Need a New Car Battery

Aside from a potential warning light on your dashboard, there are a few signs you can be on the lookout for when it’s time for your battery to be replaced. These signs are:

• Slow engine crank: When starting your vehicle, your battery is what gets everything going. If your battery needs to be replaced, it might take longer to start your vehicle.
• Swollen battery case: If you look at your battery, you may notice some swelling on the sides of the battery case. Batteries work using chemical reactions, and extreme heat or cold can cause the chemicals and their discharge to swell.
• Unusual smell: When a battery is damaged, it might release some gas that can smell like rotten eggs. If you catch this scent, check your battery!
• Electrical component issues: The battery powers various electrical processes in your vehicle, including power windows, windshield wipers, and more. If those seem slower or weaker than usual, this could be an indication that your battery is weakening.

Replace Your Battery at BMW of Albany!

If after reading this page, you realize your battery needs to be replaced, don’t fret. A typical battery replacement takes 20 to 30 minutes.

We at BMW of Albany are here to answer any questions that drivers from Albany, Leesburg, or Tifton, Georgia, have about battery checks or replacements.

You can schedule an appointment online or give us a call. We will get you back on the road as soon as possible with a new battery for your vehicle.