How Long Does A Car Battery Last?
Before trying to understand why your car battery might be dying, it would be good to understand a bit about car batteries. Your vehicle’s battery is like its heart--without it, your vehicle doesn't have the power to start, move, or do anything else. The typical battery is a “wet-cell” battery, a plastic cube containing sulfuric acid and lead, with two terminals coming out of the top or the side.
Let’s look at three signs how to tell if your car battery is dying:
- Your engine cranks but doesn't start. If your engine cranks or turns over when you turn the key, but it won't start, the battery is most likely the culprit.
- Your engine does not even crank or turn over and the lights are inoperable. This situation is nearly 100% of the battery’s fault. Your battery powers all the accessories and lights in your car. However, it could be a combination problem involving your alternator.
- Your vehicle randomly starts one day then doesn’t the next. If starting is an intermittent problem, two things are suspect, 1) your battery terminals are loose, broken, or corroded, or 2) you have a parasitic electrical current drawing electrical power from your battery even when the key is out of the ignition.
If you are starting to notice signs that your car battery is dying, check the fluid level in your battery as well as the battery cables. If the fluid is low, this will prevent your battery from generating power or holding power. More critical is the battery cable connections to your vehicle. If they are loose or corroded, the electrical current in the battery is short-circuited.
If you are noticing problems with the battery and it’s at least two to three years old, you would be smart to go ahead and get a car battery replacement. Taking good care of your car battery is just as important as changing the oil, replacing filters and other maintenance items.
Do you know how long does a car battery last? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about a car battery replacement and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Before trying to understand why your car battery might be dying, it would be good to understand a bit about car batteries. Your vehicle’s battery is like its heart--without it, your vehicle doesn't have the power to start, move, or do anything else. The typical battery is a “wet-cell” battery, a plastic cube containing sulfuric acid and lead, with two terminals coming out of the top or the side.
Let’s look at three signs how to tell if your car battery is dying:
- Your engine cranks but doesn't start. If your engine cranks or turns over when you turn the key, but it won't start, the battery is most likely the culprit.
- Your engine does not even crank or turn over and the lights are inoperable. This situation is nearly 100% of the battery’s fault. Your battery powers all the accessories and lights in your car. However, it could be a combination problem involving your alternator.
- Your vehicle randomly starts one day then doesn’t the next. If starting is an intermittent problem, two things are suspect, 1) your battery terminals are loose, broken, or corroded, or 2) you have a parasitic electrical current drawing electrical power from your battery even when the key is out of the ignition.
If you are starting to notice signs that your car battery is dying, check the fluid level in your battery as well as the battery cables. If the fluid is low, this will prevent your battery from generating power or holding power. More critical is the battery cable connections to your vehicle. If they are loose or corroded, the electrical current in the battery is short-circuited.
If you are noticing problems with the battery and it’s at least two to three years old, you would be smart to go ahead and get a car battery replacement. Taking good care of your car battery is just as important as changing the oil, replacing filters and other maintenance items.
Do you know how long does a car battery last? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about a car battery replacement and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
