How Often Does Your Chevy Need a New Car Battery?

Every driver knows that sinking feeling of not being able to start up their car because of a drained battery! Being proactive about battery replacement will help you avoid this frustrating situation. How often your Chevy needs a new car battery can depend on driving patterns, the climate you live in, and what type of battery is in your vehicle. No matter what your driving habits might be, regular Chevrolet maintenance will help ensure your battery is in top shape.

Battery Basics

While there is no exact timeline for how long a car battery will last, the general lifespan of a standard battery is three to five years. If you’re lucky, your Chevy battery could last as long as six years, but this is rare. To take the guesswork out of wondering when you’re due for a battery swap, our service technicians will be able to tell you how well your battery is performing during a routine service check.

Signs That You Might Need a Battery

Sometimes a car battery dies with no obvious warning at all, but if you notice that your Chevy is slow to start, or struggling when you turn on the ignition, this is a sign your battery could be on its last legs. Depending on what model Chevy you own, there may be a warning light on your dashboard that will indicate your battery is charging poorly. It’s always possible that you left an interior light on which partially drained the battery, but if in doubt, it’s time for a checkup.

Factors That Affect Your Battery

The lifespan of your battery is very much affected by the type of driving you do. Short, intermittent drives are much harder on your battery than long road trips, where your alternator has plenty of time to fully charge the battery. Extreme heat (like the kind we often experience during a Louisianna summer!) can also shorten the life of your battery.

Can You Extend the Life of a Car Battery?

No matter what your driving circumstances may be, the reality is that your battery begins to gradually deteriorate from the moment your car pulls out of the dealership lot. Living in a warmer climate like we do doesn’t help, as heat causes battery fluid to evaporate more quickly than it does in places with cooler weather. The best you can do is limit short rides, and make sure all the lights (interior and exterior) are off when you exit your car.

Chevrolet Maintenance Standards

At Service Chevrolet Cadillac, we pride ourselves on keeping all of our customers’ vehicles running optimally at all times. It’s important to bring your Chevy in on a regular basis so that our certified technicians can check your battery and any other components that might be starting to wear out. If needed, we can install a new battery on the spot, ensuring that you have the best battery for your particular make and model.

If your battery is three years old (or older), it’s time to have it checked! Stop by Service Chevrolet Cadillac in Lafayette today so that we can make sure your battery is charging up the way it should be.

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