How Often Should You Replace Your Car Battery?

Your battery is quite literally the lifeblood of your vehicle. Not only is a battery integral for starting your engine, but it also powers all of the electrical components in your vehicle. Without a fully-functioning battery, you’ll be heading nowhere with nothing playing on the radio. You will need to replace your car battery for a better car driving experience.

How Does the Battery Work? 

While starting a car is as easy as turning a key or pressing a button, your battery is doing all the heavy lifting. Starting the ignition sends a signal to the battery that kicks off a chemical reaction inside the little black box. The reaction turns into electrical energy that gets the starter motor running and the engine cranking. If your battery is dead, your lights might flicker but your engine won’t have the energy to turn over.

When to Change the Battery 

There are a few key warning signs that are good indications your battery’s life is coming to an end. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the health of your battery so you don’t get stranded in the middle of anywhere with a car that won’t start.

1. Damage to the battery or an internal short can cause the battery to leak gas. If you smell rotten eggs when you open the bonnet, a faulty battery may be the culprit.
2. A white substance on the metal parts of the battery could mean that you have a corrosion issue.
3. In most vehicles, the check engine light can mean just about anything and it may come on when your battery is running out of power.
4. The battery powers all of the electronics in your vehicle, from your lights to your radio to your dashboard computer. If the battery is losing its charge it will have a harder time running these things at full power.
5.  A slow start is usually the last gasp before a battery fails and leaves you stranded.

How Often Should the Battery Be Replaced? 

Although batteries can last for five years or more when properly cared for, most car batteries will start to deteriorate within three years of everyday use in normal conditions. Just like your computer or smartphone battery, it becomes less efficient with every charge, your car’s battery gradually deteriorates every time it’s charged up by the vehicle’s engine. After three years, it’s normally time to have the battery tested to determine its condition and reliability. After four or five years, you may need to replace your car battery.