How long is a car battery supposed to last?

Question

I bought my 2006 PT Cruiser last April and I think that I might need a new battery. How long are they supposed to last and how much am I looking at for a new one?

Answer 1

It depends on the climate. They usually last at least 3 years in places with hard winters. There is probably warranty on the battery you have, but, if not, expect to pay around $100 for a decent battery. Why do you think your battery is going? It may be you just need to clean the terminals, which should be done minimum once a year.

Answer 2

Batteries should last 4-5 years IF they're maintained properly and sometimes even longer. Keep the top of the battery clean, remove the cables and wire brush the connectors and posts at least once a year and they'll usually make it. If it is a battery with cell caps then keeping the water level above the plates is also part of the routine maintenance that's needed. And always use distilled water. A battery will usually last longer in a car that has a lot of driving. Sitting for long periods without being driven will shorten the life unless the battery is connected to a trickle charger.

Answer 3

Bottom line, it depends on how you use your car. I've had batteries last from 13 months to 4 years. The 13 month battery was on a car I got brand new; however, my sales job requires me to travel 950 miles per week and start the car 8-12 times a day. No wonder the battery didn't last.

I've had several Sears DieHard batteries that had to be replaced after 2-3 years with minimal hardship. My father worked at AutoZone for a while and told me of their Duralast batteries being ranked really well. This was the last battery I've bought and have had no problems (had only 8 months though).

Answer 4

Most Batteries only last between 3-5 years.. It all depends on the conditions of Where you live, How you drive, What your driving habits( just around town or highway driving) if you keep up with maintenance of the vehicle. Batteries fail prematurely because of a variety of situations, including poor battery maintenance, hot weather, hot engine temperatures and a failing alternator. Sometimes a defect in the battery may cause it to fail early


How do I maintain my battery?

Follow these guidelines every three to six months to extend the life of your low-maintenance Interstate battery:
1) Maintain Water Level. If your battery has removable vent caps, you should regularly check the water level and add water when it is low.
2) Keep Terminals Clean. Visually inspect the terminals and cables at least once a year, especially in hot temperatures, for signs of corrosion. If dirty or corroded, clean the connections with a scraper and wire brush. This will ensure a good connection and proper starting.
3) Keep Case Clean. Keep the top of the battery clean of heavy dirt and oil with a cloth dampened by ammonia or a 50/50 solution of baking soda and water. Then rinse with clear water and allow to thoroughly dry.
4) Keep Battery Charged. If your vehicle is not driven weekly, it may be necessary to charge your battery before use. Lack of use is hard on a battery, especially an automotive battery which is designed to be charged regularly by an alternator. Any unused battery, regardless of its chemistry, will self-discharge over time and, if allowed to remain discharged, will undergo severe positive grid corrosion and battery failure. The rate of discharge depends on the type of battery and the storage temperature. So, it's important to keep your battery charged.
If you prefer that your mechanic take care of your battery, be sure to ask him (1) to maintain the water level and (2) to keep the connections and case clean of corrosion and dirt.
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As batteries age, do their maintenance requirements change? Yes. Typically the specific gravity gets higher and gassing increases due to some battery deterioration and/or loss of reserve capacity. An older battery normally requires more charging.
Heavy-Duty Construction Provides Long Life and Dependable Service

Answer 5

Although I do agree with the other guy. Life span will vary if you play your radio allot with the key turned back. That will shorten the life of the battery. Leaving your doors open for long periods of time will also because of the lights being on and that darn dingy thing that drives everyone nuts. I would have to say bring it in though because the car is under factory warranty.

Answer 6

I just replace my battery on my car today. I drive a 2000 Alero. It cost me $125 plus tax. The battery was $94.99 and it was a DieHard Gold from Sears, $12.99 for labor, and $10 for some isc. stuff. Now they are telling me I need a new alternator because it is over charging. I have sub woofers in my car and they think it is draining the battery.

Answer 7

i know you have a lot of different opinions on here as far as life goes of the battery , it all depends on climate and how you use your car. if you are going to pay over a hundred bucks for a battery , my preference is a optima dry cell or gel cell they do not require maintenance and do not create corrosion. i had one in my car it lasted over 7 years. interstate can sell you one of these the cost just a little more but are definitely worth it in the long run

Answer 8

A battery that has seen abuse like frequent deep discharging will die young. However I'd expect it to last more than a year!!! Are you sure that it is charging correctly? An alternator can partly fail and only provide weak charging. An auto shop can check that for you.

Answer 9

A new battery can last upto 10 years, some a little more... but a 2006 dead in 1 year..... a new battery can go from $30 and up

Answer 10

well everyone has something different to say but i think 5 years ,,but if the vehicle sits around alot especially in winter for a week or so with out driving if it,s cold enough it can freeze the battery ruining the life of it.
new batteries are 100 bucks depending where you live.and how many cold cranking amps they are.