Most people are concerned about the life span of a car battery during the winter months. However, despite this common train of thought, the life of a car battery is actually more likely to fail when the weather heats up. In general, the average life of a car battery is two to three years, although some manufacturers claim their product will last five years. For this reason, it is important to understand how the summer heat can affect how long your battery lasts.
Climate Zones and Battery Life
Where you live can have a dramatic impact on the life of your car battery. For instance, New Jersey is considered a mild climate, which means the average life of a car battery overall is 47 months. Because this area of the country has cold winters, the life span of a car battery evens out. However, if you spend time in an area of high heat, such as when you vacation in Florida, Arizona or other similar areas, your battery could take a beating.
Other Factors
Where you live isn’t the only factor in the lifespan of a car battery. In fact, even though New Jersey is considered a mild climate, summer temperatures can cause your battery to fail. In addition to the hot summer temperatures, you need to watch other factors to determine how long your battery will last. For instance, your driving habits can be hard on your battery. If you spend a lot of time with your lights on or running your radio when your car isn’t turned on, you could cause your battery to die more quickly.
What to Look For
Despite knowing what the life of a car battery is, there are certain signs you should look for to indicate your battery is on the verge of failure. Some of the symptoms you should look for include:
- Failure to start
- Lights won’t turn on
- Difficulty with cold cranking
- Requiring a lot of jump starts
If these issues are becoming a common occurrence, it is best to replace your battery before you find yourself stuck with no car.
The average life of a car battery can vary greatly from the claims of the manufacturer. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly think their battery is safe during the summer months. However, heat can often lead to more problems with your car battery than winter temperatures. The life span of a battery is something you should know, but it is also important to look for other signs as well so you know when to replace your battery before more serious problems occur.
If you are looking for a Sussex County car repair shop to help you replace your battery, contact us. Our experienced technicians can test your battery and replace it with a East Penn Manufactured Carquest Battery if needed.
