How long does a car battery last?

The life of a car battery depends on how long it can hold a charge and how long it can be recharged. Once it can't be recharged, it's dead. There are a number of factors that can affect your car battery, including…

The life of a car battery depends on how long it can hold a charge and how long it can be recharged. Once it can't be recharged, it's dead. There are a number of factors that can affect the performance of a car battery, including humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors.

Let's say ideal conditions: no high temperatures, no excessive humidity - in a word, an ideal world for your car. Under these conditions, you can probably expect a car battery to last about six years. On average, a car battery lasts two to five years. If you live in the northern United States, your car battery will last longer because you are in a colder climate. Warm climates tend to increase damage due to sulfation and water loss.

Good care prolongs battery life

Of course, taking proper care of your car battery can greatly increase the life of your car battery, and the best way to make sure your car battery lasts long is to always keep it fully charged. This means that you should try not to leave your headlights on or leave your accessories plugged in. Also, make sure your battery is always checked during scheduled vehicle maintenance.

Battery life depends on these two main factors: where you live and how well you take care of the battery. However, with proper care, you should get several years of battery life if you have a car with a gasoline or diesel engine. If you have a hybrid or electric car, you can expect an amazing eight years of battery life before you have to think about replacing it.