{"id":49385,"date":"2020-05-13T19:00:19","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T19:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationwideautotransportation.com\/blog\/?p=49385"},"modified":"2025-06-19T03:31:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T03:31:15","slug":"car-battery-lowdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationwideautotransportation.com\/blog\/car-battery-lowdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Car Battery Essentials | Prolong Your Battery Life"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

One of the most common questions people ask, is how long do car batteries last? That\u2019s much like asking how long is a piece of string – the answer depends. You should naturally try to replace your battery before you\u2019re stopped somewhere, late at night, with nobody available to help you jump the car or to push-start it. But how do you know your battery needs to be replaced? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lifespan of a car battery is the length of time it can continue to work efficiently. Under perfect conditions, a car battery should last approximately six years, and they typically last between two to five years. In the northern United States, a car battery tends to last longer, thanks to the warm climate. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some things that can affect your car battery life. Let\u2019s look at them:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your driving habits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The way in which we use our cars can impact on the lifespan of our car batteries. If you only do consistently short trips – for instance to work, the grocery store, and back home – it doesn\u2019t give the battery sufficient time to recharge between trips, which can lead to reduced performance. Remember, the battery continues to drain passively, even when the engine is off while the car sits in the driveway or garage for extended periods. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Climate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A power source’s life is affected by extreme temperatures. Just like our bodies consist mainly of water and we become run down when we don\u2019t drink enough water, so are batteries affected by dehydration. Your car battery needs liquid to keep it charged. On hot summer days, the water inside the battery acid can evaporate, resulting in a shortened lifespan. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that\u2019s not all. When the battery water evaporates, it can increase the spread and likelihood of corrosion. This can cause the battery to drain and malfunction. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold water is another issue. In winter, when the chilly wind howls around the corners, your car battery must work harder to ensure the car functions as it should. At this point, the engine oil becomes thicker, and that puts additional strain on the battery. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This all means that your battery will last longer if you take the occasional road trip and consider replacing your battery more regularly if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that your car battery might give you some notice before it dies. So here are some of the warning signs to look out for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n