Is it time to change the car battery?

SimbaSimon

Hi,

I have a wee Chevrolat Matiz which is now 5 years old, owned from new and never had a battery change. The car is now being used less and less since its only used for occasionally weekend use. Through the winter the battery was needing charging most weeks and now it seems to last 2-3 weeks before it needs a charge again now the weather has warmed up. As I say the car is used once maybe twice at the weekend only, usually only about 10-15 miles but occasionally a longer journey. Am I not using the car enough to keep the battery charged or does it require replacing? I remember an old Ford Escort which I had sat for months and the battery never even slightly drained.

Hoping to get rid of the car in the next 6 months or so as its our second car anyway but that's another discussion altogether, although ideally I don't want to spend money on it if the battery is okay!

Thanks in advance.

TiTheRev

The only real way to know is a drop test or on a pukka battery tester. It could be fine with a charge, but may have a cell on it's way out.

rizel23

i left my car 12 days in May and did not use it, got back and would not start, charged battery and only gets 4volts! lol. I Use daily so is not issue and everything works so going to leave it a while longer till it becomes an issue starting everyday!

ArsenalFC

Just keep the current battery if you intend to sell the car soon. If come winter you dont use much, start the enigine and run it for 5mins every few days so the battery has some charge.

Strider590

The normal operating life is 3 - 4 years.... Most last for nearly 6 years. So it's up to you!

TiTheRev

Strider590 wrote: »

The normal operating life is 3 - 4 years.... Most last for nearly 6 years. So it's up to you!

That's a bit conservative, or you're buying cheap batteries?! I'd hope the life of a 'decent' battery would be 5/6years, or up to 10 if well maintained etc.

Strider590

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity)

Automotive lead-acid rechargeable batteries have a much harder life.Because of vibration, shock, heat, cold, and sulfation of their lead plates, few automotive batteries last beyond six years of regular use. Automotive starting batteries have many thin plates to provide as much current as possible in a reasonably small package. In general, the thicker the plates, the longer the life of the battery

I hadn't even read that when I made the original post.

steve321_2

How do you know when the battery needs charging, does the car not start completly or does it just take a while to start?

TiTheRev

Automotive starting batteries have many thin plates to provide as much current as possible in a reasonably small package. In general, the thicker the plates, the longer the life of the battery

...and there is the difference. A quality battery will use decent materials, thicker plates and generally better quality materials so that it lasts longer. You can buy batteries that have 5yr warranties now, so you'd expect that to last 6/7yrs at least!