Car Battery Life Expectancy

How long does the battery in your car last? How many years can it go without giving you too much of a problem? What is the car battery life expectancy on an average? You never really ask yourselves these questions till that cold, icy winter morning when you turn the key in the ignition and get no response. And then reality strikes you, maybe the battery is dead. After all, the car is about 5-6 years old and you have forgotten to check car battery for a few years now! So how long do batteries typically survive?

Average Car Battery Life

The car battery is fighting quite a battle, on one hand to live longer and on the other to power all the new contraptions that adorn your car these days. So while the car battery continues to become more and more equipped to handle more power, the increase in power consumption of a battery and the extensive use of cars these days, brings the whole battle back to square one.

But still, there are several factors that play their part in affecting the car battery life. The quality of the battery itself and the usage aside, a lot also depends on the overall maintenance of the car and the battery. Also the number of times that the drivers recharges the battery.

The average life of a car battery today is said to be around 5-6 years. But you will still find batteries that go on just fine for a lot more years. Want to learn how to increase your car battery life span? Read on to find out.

Simple Tips to Bolster Car Battery Life

Weather
A lot of car batteries come with climate specifications. It says on the battery what is the minimum temperature at which the battery will start without giving too much trouble. So if you're living in the colder parts of the world, get a battery which will work in the climatic conditions of the place. A lot of people buy the car in a warmer city and then relocate to another, much colder city and face car problems while trying to start. So this is an important tip to keep in mind.

Usage
Overusing the car battery can dramatically shorten the car battery life span. So don't test it. Keep the front lights off when you don't need them, don't honk too much and keep the AC and the stereo switched off when your car isn't running. Keeping all the battery operated parts of the car 'on' when the car engine is not running will drain the battery a lot faster.

Battery Wear and Tear
The manner and periods of recharging and discharging directly affect the battery life span. Every time a battery discharges, there is a loss of metal from the plates, which is just the way it is. If, however, there is any irregularity in this process, the life span decreases adversely. For example, if the regulator used for charging is faulty, if the battery is overcharged, if the discharging period (period of use) is extended beyond the maximum period, you will increase the wear and tear of your battery. If you keep on discharging the battery for too long, there is a reaction called 'Sulphation' that happens inside the battery, that permanently damages it.

Other notable factors include improper handling of the battery, improper placement of the battery inside the car, allowing it to be rattled on rough roads.

Maintenance
Regular battery maintenance goes a long way in improving the car battery life expectancy. The next time you send your automobile for servicing to the station, make sure that the guy checks your battery. The battery line and the terminals need to be cleaned and maintained to optimally utilize it, so that it won't give any problems in the future. Get the water in the battery changed as well. Maintaining and jumping a car battery goes a long way in increasing the car battery life.

While these were only a few basic tips, they will still go a long way in increasing your car battery life expectancy. The car battery is a electro-chemical device and hence needs to be serviced and checked often to ensure optimal performance. So don't ignore car repairs! And if by doing so, your car battery life is going to increase, then why not?