Car Battery Life

[CaFordDude]

I realize this question has a lot of variables but is there a general consensus as to how long a car battery stays viable?

My understanding is that 3 years under normal usage should be expected but any sign of trouble after that should lead to replacement? It is the original battery from the factory.

I ask because I consider my truck usage "normal" usage (2007 F150). It is my daily driver and I have no "extra's" hooked up drawing power. Last night I drove 22 miles down to get my kids and parked in the parking lot waiting for the grandparents to get there with them. Parking lot was really dark so I left my lights on so it was easy for them to spot me and I was listening to the radio. Waited about 10 minutes and they got there and I turned the lights off. Got back in the truck a few minutes later and no start.

Just because I hate the idea of being stranded somewhere I am going to replace my battery. I guess I want to know if you guys think there may be something wrong or if it is just that my battery is nearing the end of it's life.

Thanks

 

[LEB Ben]

I always bought into the 3 year thing as rule of thumb for battery replacement. However, as of lately, it seems like a week after my warranty runs out is the appropriate time for replacement. I will say though, I've always had great luck when I could afford Motorcraft batteries, generally 5 years worth of use...and that's survived vehicle swaps, fried alternators, pretty extreme abuse, etc.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Have you ever had the battery get completely discharged Aaron?...eg..left lights on and killed it?....if so just doing that even once will compromise the life of it. 3-5 years is typical of starter battery life provided it is maintained and not abused.

 

[CaFordDude]

No never left the lights on or had a no start except what happened last night. And not a single issue today. Started strong everytime

 

[LEB Ben]

Makes me think a ground got knocked around then.

 

[CaFordDude]

Still has me bothered enuf I will prolly just replace it on my days off

 

[fatherdoug]

I usually buy the batteries with a five year warranty, and don't trust them after that. It seems that 3 years on a battery is a bit short. I've had batteries go the full 5 years with three teenage kids with lights left on, doors left open, dome lights left on, etc, etc. Have also used several different brands: Interstate, Walmart, Costco/Everready, Motorcraft, Diehard, and others.

 

[smokey]

I have batteries go bad in a year and needing replaced then the next one last 6 years.
The one in the car is 9 years old original battery and when I load test it it still shows good.

 

[Blue Goose]

Take all of the bar stool bs out of your decision, have it load tested.

 

[LEB Ben]

Per the lifetime of the battery, how many of you check the date for how long it's been sitting on shelves before you buy it? Personally, I think that could be the cause of a lot of premature battery failures. Hell, if a battery has a 3-5 year life, but it's been sitting for 2 years, you can't expect to get the same from a battery that's been sitting for 6 months, can you?

 

[Blue Goose]

BTW, your Motorcraft battery should have a sight glass telling you what it's present condition is....
Green = good
Red = dead

 

[smokey]

This is a battery load tester

the only way to know for sure. Mine is a digital version that test over a given period of time.

 

[fatherdoug]

The date is easier to read, also, since it is no longer coded. Now they must put the date on the battery.

 

[m78]

I've had batteries last 11 years.
You can test each cell with a meter. should start at 2 volts and increase by 2 volts in each cell.

 

[CaFordDude]

Hmmmm...Does...My tuner will test batt volts and Amps (I think) through the OBDII port. Will that tell me what I need to know, or do I need one of those cheese grader looking things randy posted up?

 

[LEB Ben]

If it tells you volts, IIRC you should be right around 14.4 for a healthy battery. But I'd still wanna bring that thing in for a load test, most parts stores do it for free.

 

[CaFordDude]

Well after last night I checked the volts and while driving homeand it said 14. I don't remember if it had a .4 or not.

I am going to check for the green dot and date tonight if I can see it.

 

[LEB Ben]

Idealy, 14.4-14.6 is what you want...might be a tad different in you're year rig, I haven't really dablled, so I dunno. But if you're registering 14.xxx I doubt that's enough to raise a question.

 

[HazzardMadWolf]

Just remember that just because it is reading 14.xxx with the engine running doesn't always mean the battery is taking the charge. I say just test the battery.

 

[SuperCab]

The battery in my rig is a 2-year Everstart that's been expired for about a year. Works perfect.

However, Goose is right. the only way to really know is have it load tested. Take it to O'reilly or AutoZone or something and they'll do it for you.


My battery seriously is that old. I'll probably have to replace it this winter though...