There are many factors that determine the life of a car battery, such as how you drive, weather conditions, and how much charge it is getting from the car. On average, the car battery will work most efficiently for a four year span. After four years the chemical compounds begin their slow decline and the battery will become less effective until it dies.
It is important to realize that four years is the average battery span. The life of your car battery may be shortened if your car is subject to the following conditions.
Your car is stored or operated under extreme temperatures – If the area you live and drive has extremely cold or extremely hot temperatures this may shorten the battery life.
Powering a lot of accessories – As technology increases and is used with relative frequency, more and more items are being designed for use in cars. Unfortunately, the more items that are plugged in and using the battery’s power, the quicker it will lose its effectiveness due to being overworked. So those who stream videos and music through the outlets in their car may need to replace their batteries sooner.
Driving in mainly short commutes – The amount of electricity to start a car is higher than running it. When you are driving, the battery is getting the charge from the engine. If you mainly drive short distances, your battery will not have time to get fully charged and this may shorten the overall life of the battery. For auto service repairs in the Virginia area, schedule an appointment with Cavalier Mazda of Chesapeake, VA today.
When your battery does start to decline, sometimes there are warning signs.
An obvious sign would be that the car battery is dead, but don’t assume it is just the battery as it could be the alternator not supplying enough power to the battery.
Have your battery checked regularly at oil change and maintenance appointments. The mechanic will electronically check the health of your battery.
Check the outside of the battery. Look for stains and corrosion which can indicate a battery leak. Buildup around the terminals can be cleaned with water and baking soda but please be sure to use protective gloves.
Check for obvious smells. A battery that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur may be overheating and needs to be replaced.
While it is not always possibly to detect problems with a battery before it dies, it is important to do your best to keep it maintained and not ignore signs that it may be not functioning properly. Some batteries work for longer, but that can have a lot to do with the driving and use of the car.
When a battery fails, you not only have the inconvenience of having to replace it, but it can break down at inconvenient times. If you break down late at night or during a long road trip, you can be stranded along the road for some time. Depending on where this happens it may not only be inconvenient and time consuming, but unsafe as well.
The best way to avoid an unexpected breakdown or driving complications is to make sure your service center regularly checks your battery for signs of deterioration. If you reside in the Chesapeake, Virginia area, Cavalier Mazda provides auto service for all types of cars and can assist you in the replacement, maintenance, or check-up of your car battery. Their service department is available Monday through Saturday.
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