It’s important to understand that there is no definitive way to know how long your car will last. While most car batteries will last up to five years, it largely depends on typical driving conditions and individual driver habits. For example, if a driver often makes short trips in their vehicle, this gives the vehicle less time to re-charge while driving. Temperature can also affect how long your battery lasts. In hotter climates, your battery may degrade faster from the heat, while in colder climates your battery might need to work extra hard to generate electricity. Listed below are a few signs that you might need to change your car’s battery.
- An audible slow crank
- The check engine/battery light is on
- Strange odor similar to rotten eggs
- Leaking battery fluid or corroded connectors
- Bloated or misshapen battery case
- Dim lights or other electrical issues
