Are you getting concerned about the performance of your car battery? Unfortunately, there's no straightforward answer to the question of when to replace it. It's quite difficult to tell the lifespan of a car battery. From experience, many experts agree that how long a battery lasts will depend on three factors: vibration, heat, and time.
Let's look at each of these factors closely.
Vibration
Cars vibrate when they move, but too much vibration may cause physical damage to battery parts. Vibrations can worsen if the battery is not held down in a fixed position, allowing the battery to move around.
Cars have special hold-downs that secure batteries in places. The lifespan of your battery will reduce significantly when you don't have these hold-downs or when they get loose.
Heat
Heat is one of the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions. High temperatures mean high reaction rates. When the reaction rate is high, the battery will degrade faster. This explains why batteries used in cooler climates last longer than those used in hot climates.
To reduce the effects of heat on batteries, car manufacturers mount them in isolated areas and install heat shields over them. Sometimes, the batteries are placed under the trunk floor or backseat where there's better airflow.
Time
Even when a battery is used under ideal conditions, it will still wear down with time - nothing lasts forever. A battery will degrade gradually until it stops functioning as expected.
For example, when your engine cannot start, the battery could be the issue. The way you use your car may also play a role in battery life. Driving a car over long distances per day will cause the battery to degrade faster.
The signs that your car battery needs replacement include:
- Backfiring
- The engine doesn't start fast enough
- Electrical issues and dim lights
- Check engine light shows
- Bad smell from the battery
- Corroded connectors
- A misshapen battery case
- An old battery
When you notice the above signs or you suspect that your battery needs replacement, have a trained mechanic check it for you. If you need a car battery replacement, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop today!