How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

If you depend on your car to get you to work on time, a dead car battery will turn the morning commute sour. To make sure you aren’t stuck waiting for a jumpstart, here’s what you need to know about the lifespan of a car battery.

A Battery’s Life Expectancy

Newer car batteries last longer than car batteries manufactured in the past. Currently, the average lifespan of a car battery is anywhere from three to seven years, depending on the brand. Most mechanics will recommend changing car batteries every two to three years to be safe.

Factors that Wear a Battery Down

The way a car battery is used will affect its lifespan. If you use your car primarily for short trips, your battery will have a shorter lifespan than if you do do a long haul every day. Your car needs 20 minutes to fully recharge. If you aren’t allowing your car the chance to do this, the battery will more quickly reach the point where it can no longer hold a charge. Maintaining the water level in the car battery will also help extend the battery life.

Your local car mechanic can check your car battery to measure how well it is holding a charge. In checking the battery, you can find out if it’s time to change your battery for a new model.