How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

[chiaxi2002]

I am not sure if my battery is going out or if my alternator is going out. Is there anyway I could do a test at home or would I have to take it to the shop...

[Vash744]

You can test your alternator by starting your car and removing the postive battery connector. If the car shuts off, then the alternator is bad and is not charging the car. Not to sure of an easy way to check if the battery charges at home unless you got your own battery tester (which most 12v battery chargers have a battery check built in)

You can take both the battery and the alternator to a parts store(AutoZone, O'Reilys, Advance Auto Parts are some know ones who do this) and they will test your parts for free to see if they are in good operating conditions.

[Potatoswatter]

Batteries last about the warranty period, which is likely 3-5 years.

I don't think there's an easy test at home, because the amount of electric current involved is probably more than the average handheld multimeter can handle.

When you say "the shop," I hope you mean "the store," as in AutoZone, etc. They will test it immediately, for free, unlike a garage. (Not sure why you're hesitant to do this, is all.)

[red07frontier]

These guys are right bro, to test if the alt is charging pull the positive cable while the car is running, stays running then the alt is charging, if it dies then it is not charging properly.

To test the battery you need to load test it which you cannot do. Take it to a parts store like they said.

[Potatoswatter]

Not good to disconnect the battery while running, it makes a power surge which is hard on electronics… especially old electronics, which were never as durable as modern stuff.

That test doesn't tell you anything anyway. The alt can be making enough power for ignition but not enough to charge the battery. (Unless failure is sudden, that's what happens and what you want to test for.)

[osl]

How long do batteries last? 6 years is the longest I've seen. Think about it. Manufacturers offer warranties to about that amount of time. Any longer and they are losing money.

[Masamune]

Take your battery to AutoZone and let them run a free diagnostic to tell you if its good or not. For that matter, just take the alternator out and have them run a test on that as well (also free). Obviously you'll need a second car or someone to drive you there, but I think that's one of the more fool-proof methods.

[osl]

Or you could just take the whole car to Oreilly and get both tested ON your vehicle.

[dano28]

It also depends upon where you live. Cold weather beats up batteries more than warm. I lived most of my life in northern states so I can't believe how long batteries last here in Georgia.

[batever]

Go to Autozone and have them test it.

If you have a bad battery it can take your alternator with it, because the alternator will constantly be trying to charge up the bad battery and will wear out.

[Nyne521]

DON'T DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL!!!!!

you disconnect the negative terminal to test the altinator...

there is current flowing threw the postive side touch a wrench to that and lean on one metal thing in your car and your now the ground... you'll get zapped and it wont be fun and probably mess up your battery

[PR CB7]

i've been 5 years on my optima

[PointBlank]

i've been 5 years on my optima

The only way to roll.

[kellogg_racing_]

there is current flowing threw the postive side touch a wrench to that and lean on one metal thing in your car and your now the ground... you'll get zapped and it wont be fun and probably mess up your battery

...Please don't do that. Jesus do you have a death wish? Batteries are cranking like 500 amps..whatever they're rated at. God why would one suggest that??

I'm pretty sure you know what to do: take it to the store and have them test it on the car. All for free.

DON'T do any original thinking and try disconnecting positive terminals...

[Potatoswatter]

The current through the positive side is equal to the current through the negative side… it's the law of conservation of charge. When you see sparks, it means you've created a high voltage by breaking a connection, just like a spark plug. High voltage can damage electronics. Don't disconnect either terminal.

The negative side is grounded, so messing with exposed positive voltage is dangerous. That's why the positive terminal has a protective cover and why you connect negatives together first when jump-starting.