How Many Years Does a Car Battery Typically Last?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, a car battery can last between 3 to 4 years. Precautions for car battery usage: It is recommended not to use electronic devices in the car for extended periods when the engine is not running. Additionally, avoid turning on power-intensive devices such as headlights and air conditioning simultaneously when starting the engine. Methods to determine the condition of a car battery: Currently, over 80% of maintenance-free batteries come with a charge indicator. The indicator typically displays three colors: green, black, and white. Green indicates sufficient charge, black signifies slight discharge, and white means the battery is dead and needs replacement. For specifics, refer to the label on the battery. Check around the battery terminals for any white or green powdery substances, which are battery oxides. High-quality or new batteries generally do not develop these oxides easily. Their presence indicates that the battery's performance is beginning to deteriorate.
I've been driving a taxi for over a decade and have seen countless cases of car batteries dying suddenly. Normally they last three to four years, but it really depends on your usage environment. Here in the north where winter temperatures drop to -20°C, battery capacity immediately drops by 30%. If the car sits outdoors unused for two or three days, it can easily get discharged. Frequent short-distance commuting also harms the battery - each engine start consumes about 0.5% charge, requiring half an hour of driving to replenish. Last year, I forgot to turn off my dashcam, which completely drained my two-year-old battery in just two days. My advice: drive on the highway for half an hour monthly to activate the battery, and disconnect the negative terminal if parking exceeds two weeks.
