Car batteries can last for years, but they always seem to die at the most inconvenient times.Basic knowledge about how your car battery works and what to do when it fails can get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
The car battery provides electricity necessary to power all the electrical components in your vehicle. On average, a battery will last 3 to 5 years, but like most car parts, that all depends on how you treat it. Multiple discharge/recharge cycles shorten any battery’s life. A battery can maintain a charge while the engine is on, but once its off electronics draw directly from the battery.
Factors That Can Shorten Battery Life
Some most common reasons that can lead to dead battery
- Headlights or interior light left on
- Charging system failure
- Exposure to extreme temperatures
- Loose battery terminal connections
- Battery is old or in poor condition
- Leaving vehicle parked for an extended amount of time
Signs battery is weak or dead
- A simple way to see if your battery is dying is by turning on the windshield wipers and noting if they are operating slower than usual.
- When you attempt to start the vehicle, the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start.
- No interior lights/dim lights
