How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

Are you having trouble starting your car, and you think it might be the battery? How can you tell if it’s time for a car battery change? How long do car batteries last? The average vehicle battery life can reach up to five years, but that can depend on a number of factors. Our service center team wants to help you keep your car running in top shape on our Valdosta roads. So, we’ve put together the guide below on how to tell if it’s time to replace your battery.

Is It Time for a Car Battery Change?

Even if your battery hasn’t yet reached the average vehicle battery lifespan, it might be showing signs of wear and tear. Learn what these signs are so that you can avoid being broken down.

How to Know It’s Time for a Car Battery Change

• Your car takes a long time to start
• There are bulges in the battery
• The check engine light is flashing (there could be other reasons for this)
• The battery has leaks

How Long Do Car Batteries Last on Average?

Every battery will die and need to be replaced, eventually. It’s inevitable. So, how long do car batteries last, exactly? The average vehicle battery life spans from three to five years. However, batteries in cars that need to be started several times a day for short trips generally don’t last as long as the ones in cars that are taken for longer trips. Harsh weather conditions, as sometimes occur during our Thomasville winters, are likewise rough on a battery.

How to Know for Sure If You Need a Car Battery Change

With the proper tools, a battery can be tested to determine if it needs to be replaced. Our service center can do it rather easily. But, if you’re an intrepid do-it-yourselfer like a lot of Tallahassee drivers, and you happen to have a multimeter in your garage or trunk, follow these steps:

How to Test a Car Battery

• Connect a multimeter to the positive and negative terminals while the engine is not running. You want to see voltage around 12.6 volts.
• Start the car and check the multimeter.
• Ideally, the voltage should be around 10. If it drops below 5 volts, replace your battery.

Let the Professionals at Valdosta Toyota Help

The battery experts in our service center can easily tell if your battery needs to be replaced. We can get the issue fixed and have you back on the road in no time. Why not schedule an appointment? We’re just down the road from Albany. So, drop by or contact us today!