Every vehicle needs a car battery to start the engine. Your car battery also filters, produces and sustains power for the ignition and electrical systems. Basically, your battery is your vehicle’s lifeline. If your battery isn’t in working order, your car won’t be either. So how long should a car battery last?

The average car battery life is between three and five years. However, there are a variety of factors that can affect your battery’s lifespan. These factors include:

Driving Habits

Short trips can shorten the lifespan of your vehicle’s battery because each time you start your car, it uses your battery’s power. Short car rides don’t give your car’s charging system enough time to fully recharge the battery, so take longer trips occasionally to give your battery a chance to recharge.

Batteries in vehicles parked for extended periods naturally self-discharge. If you are not going to use the car for a while, disconnect the battery from the car or use a trickle charger designed to keep a battery at a constant level of charge over a long period of time.

Weather Conditions

In extremely cold temperatures, consider using a thermal blanket or electric battery blanket to keep your battery warm and make it easier to start the vehicle.

Signs You Need a New Car Battery

No matter how much maintenance and cleaning you do, a car battery will eventually fail. Look for the following signs that it’s time to replace your car battery:

• Corrosion, or white build-up around the positive (+) and negative (-) battery terminals
• Slow engine crank
• Check engine and/or battery light
• Swollen or bloated battery case
• Battery acid leak
• Low battery fluid level
• Age (over five years old)
• If it’s more than 4 years old, replace your car battery soon! Don’t wait until you’re stranded!