When Do I Replace My Battery?

How to Know When to Replace Your Vehicle’s Battery

There is no clear cut answer as to how long your car battery will last, but there are some general guidelines. To start, the life of a battery varies depending on time, heat, and vibration. Let’s dive in.

Time

Car batteries age over time and do have a finite lifespan. Even under the most ideal operating conditions, batteries gradually deteriorate until they can no longer provide the necessary amount of power to start an engine. Vehicle usage patterns also contribute to battery aging. Vehicles that are driven mostly on short trips may not allow the battery to fully recharge, and batteries in vehicles parked for long periods of time naturally discharge.

Heat

Heat creates the chemical reaction batteries need to generate electricity, but it also increases the rate of battery degradation. In chillier climates, a car battery may last five years or longer while in southern locales a three year battery life is more typical. Batteries live in a harsh underhood environment where temperatures can exceed 200 degrees in hot weather. To protect the battery, some automakers mount the battery in an isolated area, put in a heat shield over the battery, or relocate the battery outside the engine compartment.

Vibration

The last important factor in battery life is vibration which leads to physical breakdown of the internal battery parts. To minimize the impact of the vibration, special hardware secures the batteries in place and prevents them from moving about. Missing or loose hold downs can significantly shorten the battery's life.

Ed Martin Honda: Your Indianapolis Auto Service Center

When your vehicle needs a new battery, come see us at Ed Martin Honda. Our Indianapolis service center will perform a battery check and then install a new one if that’s what your vehicle needs. Schedule a service appointment now online.