What to know about car battery replacements

Mark Kennedy • October 5, 2020
Car battery replacements can often come unexpectedly. If you have ever struggled with battery issues, you know how frustrating it can be if you are caught off guard with your battery replacement timing. Here is what you need to know about car battery replacements and the factors affecting battery life.

The most important things you need to know about car battery replacement

Many different factors could affect your car's battery life, and you need to keep these factors in mind when you are looking at your car battery replacement:


Temperature

If you live in an area with extreme climate conditions, your battery life may be affected. Hotter climates may improve the performance of your battery. Still, extreme heat over a prolonged period can cause your battery life to decrease as the heat accelerates the battery's chemical reactions and can accelerate the corrosion of the cells in the battery.

 

In colder climates, your battery may take longer to produce the chemical reactions required to power your vehicle's electrical components. Colder temperatures can also decrease your car's battery's recharge rate, which means that you will have to drive further before the battery is fully charged.

 

Age of your car battery

Most car batteries are guaranteed to function for a specific time, after which the battery will start breaking down or stop working altogether. Battery manufacturers often rate battery life for around 4 or 5 years, depending on the type of battery and operation conditions. It is important to note that even if you take proper care of your battery, it won't necessarily increase life expectancy beyond the manufacturer's calculation.

 

Vehicle usage

If your vehicle is not used often, the battery will start discharging, which may affect your battery's life. If you do not drive your vehicle frequently, you may need to run your vehicle periodically to keep the battery functioning properly and avoid regular car battery replacements. When you do idle your car to charge the battery, you need to let it run for about 2 hours. If you do not use your vehicle often, we recommend investing in a battery charger to avoid long idle times to keep your battery charged and working correctly.

 

Average mileage

As mentioned before, most battery manufacturers calculate the life expectancy in years, not in mileage. Your battery will last around 4 to 5 years at the average mileage, which can translate to 50,000 to 60,000 miles. The average mileage should not be used as your main indicator of battery life, but you can use it as an additional car battery replacement guideline.

 

Get reliable advice from Professional Auto Repair on car battery replacement and car air conditioner repair from your local car AC repair shop and auto repair shop in Marietta.


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