How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

As drivers near Casper, Gillette, Cheyenne, Sheridan, and Buffalo, Wyoming, know, our Fremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) Casper team is all about making sure our neighbors are prepared when it comes to keeping up on their vehicle maintenance needs.

If you’re wondering how long a car battery can last, take a brief moment to read the following information. While you’re following along, we’ll also share some ways to make it easier for you to know when a battery needs to be replaced as well as how to get the most out of yours.

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The Typical Lifespan of a Car Battery

Generally speaking, you can expect your on-road companion’s battery to last anywhere from three to five years. To make sure it gets as close to that 5-year mark as possible, you’re going to want to stay on top of the battery’s condition. The way to accomplish this is by having it inspected every time you take your daily driver in to have oil change services performed.

Clues for When Your Battery Needs To Be Replaced

Signs of Battery Replacement Since there’s no telling what the condition of your car battery might be in three to five years, there are things you can watch out for to keep track of this. These are listed below for you to take into consideration:

Slow starts
Leaking and corrosion
An uncommon smell

For starters, be mindful that the battery could be the culprit, if the car starts to take longer to start. Also, be on the lookout for any leaks and corrosion on the battery itself. Have you recently noticed a rotten-egg smell? When a battery is unstable or has an internal structural failure, the sulfuric acid odor it gives off has a similar smell to rotten eggs.

Keep Your Battery Going as Long as Possible

Battery Replacement To get the most out of your vehicle’s battery, take a look at the following tips:

Check for corrosion
Limit your use of accessories
Regularly test the battery

It’s a good idea to personally examine the battery to keep an eye out for the leakage and corrosion that we talked about above. While you’re giving everything a once-over, go ahead and clean off the posts and clamps. If corrosion is detected, you can use corrosion washers and dielectric grease to get rid of it.

Another thing worth keeping in mind is that it’s beneficial to shut off accessories, like the headlights, the dome light, and the stereo, when the engine is not running. This will ensure you’re not putting any undue stress on the battery. Finally, be sure to have the battery tested on a regular basis to stay ahead of any issues that might occur.

Is Your Car Battery Due for Attention?

If one of the above warning signs sounds familiar to you—and you call Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Buffalo, or Sheridan, WY, home—take advantage of the certified automotive expertise you’ll find here at Fremont CDJR Casper. Contact us today to schedule a day and time for our team of factory-trained technicians to take a look at your car battery!