What's the typical service life nowadays of the subject item? I've always heard three to five years. Have there been any advances in battery technology or automobile power management that increases it?
12v Automobile Battery
- Thread starter DADoES
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cfz2882
Well-known member
I think the premium AGM batts last better,but cost almost twice as a regular flooded cell-I have an AGM in my '82 Chevy and it is still strong at about 7yrs. I'd say 3 yrs is short life,but 5 is typical. I had a Delco battery i bought in 1987 last 13 years and original Ford Motorcraft batts,1993 and 1996, each also made it to 13 years 
On my 2015 subie I got just shy of 5 yrs and on his 2016 subie he got over the 5 yr mark but had to have a few jump starts till he finally gave in. One of my bike batteries barely lasted two summers and the next one, from Walmart, has been good now for over 5. . I recall reading in CR years back that batteries are manufactured for different regions in the US,, southern vs northern climates but it's not really an advertised thing, heat being the biggest factor in battery failures.
The first battery in my Smart lasted 10 years.
My Golf still has its original battery, now over 8 years old. The battery is a Varta AGM.
The car has start-stop technology, a few people told me when it was new that start-stop was stupid because it would wear out battery and starter motor in short time.
Well 8 yrs 140000km both still perfect... And the fuel economy is amazing, partly due to the stop-start.
The car has start-stop technology, a few people told me when it was new that start-stop was stupid because it would wear out battery and starter motor in short time.
Well 8 yrs 140000km both still perfect... And the fuel economy is amazing, partly due to the stop-start.
I've heard batteries of late don't have much of a lifespan. Unsure if it's planned obsolescence kicked into overdrive or what the deal it. It could be cost cutting but the price have batteries have gone up significantly in the last few years so that doesn't make any sense unless greed is now at an all time high in the battery industry.
The longest lasting battery I'm aware of was a buddy who put a marine battery in his truck that lasted 24 years before conking out. Since those type of batteries are designed for large swings in charging/discharging, I guess they hold up better. Not the best option if one lives in very cold weather though as they don't have the cold cranking amps of traditional auto batteries but fine in warmer climates. The longest life I got out of a 12v battery was 13 years.
The longest lasting battery I'm aware of was a buddy who put a marine battery in his truck that lasted 24 years before conking out. Since those type of batteries are designed for large swings in charging/discharging, I guess they hold up better. Not the best option if one lives in very cold weather though as they don't have the cold cranking amps of traditional auto batteries but fine in warmer climates. The longest life I got out of a 12v battery was 13 years.
I replaced the AGM battery in my 2018 Buick after 6 years just for good measure.
The car sat on the lot for 6 months before being sold which was probably bad for the battery.
In addition, I took a 3 week trip overseas in 2022 and when I returned, the battery in the Buick was dead.
After getting a jump start from AAA, the battery continued to "work" but I have found that 6 years is about as long as batteries last in my cars.
Today's cars are hard on batteries because they are always using power for various electronics.
I now have a battery tender so that if I'm not using the car for an extended time, the battery will stay "topped up".
The car sat on the lot for 6 months before being sold which was probably bad for the battery.
In addition, I took a 3 week trip overseas in 2022 and when I returned, the battery in the Buick was dead.
After getting a jump start from AAA, the battery continued to "work" but I have found that 6 years is about as long as batteries last in my cars.
Today's cars are hard on batteries because they are always using power for various electronics.
I now have a battery tender so that if I'm not using the car for an extended time, the battery will stay "topped up".
vacerator
Well-known member
Aren't some automotive voltage systems 24 or even 48 volts now? Saturday I was getting Ford app alerts that my accessory powers was disabled to conserve battery life and to drive for a 25 mile round trip without A/C, or audio on to charge the battery. It worked. Too may short trips and not enough driving. New vehicle in Feb. of 2024 with only 6,500 miles now.
I brought up the question because I recently changed the battery in my car. It was the original, 11 years 6 months to the day. It had been exhibiting some symptoms for a while, usually after a few days of non-use, such as the courtesy lights not staying on as long as usual upon exiting and the power seat occasionally being erratic. The car came up completely dead after a full week of non-use. I recharged it but it wasn't holding very well per checking the voltage over the next few days with a couple short trips to town.
It does many engine stops/restarts and has plenty of electronics, being a hybrid, but presumably the hybrid-ity also contributes to the long service life? I got a Super Start brand from O'Reilly Auto Parts instead of an OEM Motorcraft ... remains to be seen if that was a mistake in the long-term.
It does many engine stops/restarts and has plenty of electronics, being a hybrid, but presumably the hybrid-ity also contributes to the long service life? I got a Super Start brand from O'Reilly Auto Parts instead of an OEM Motorcraft ... remains to be seen if that was a mistake in the long-term.
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