Need Help With Your Car Battery
If you arent sure what battery is right for your car, request a quote from and well be happy to help.
Or, if youre on the go but your vehicle has other ideas, Holler for a Marshall on and well be there with 24/7 roadside assistance, fast, safe mobile battery replacement on the go! Or for a free battery test, visit your nearest Marshall Battery Shop.
Maintain Your Cars Battery
If you dont use your car for long periods of time, the battery will degrade and go flat.
Consider using a trickle charger to keep the battery topped-up if your car is left in a garage for an extended period of time or a battery conditioner if it appears to hold less charge than usual.
If your battery does go flat, having to jump start a car puts additional strain on the battery and may damage the engine management system and other delicate electronics: a double-whammy of increased wear.
To look after your battery without a trickle charger, you should try to drive your car at least once a week if possible particularly in winter.
How Often Should I Start My Car If Im Not Driving
If youre not driven your car for the past two weeks or more, regardless of how old the model is, you should start it up at least once a week and keep it running for 15 minutes. By doing this, you allow the alternator to recharge the battery and ensure the engine is kept in good condition too.
When you do this, remember to turn off the lights , otherwise youll find that its completely flat when you next go to drive. This is whats known as a deep discharge, which the lead-acid batteries in cars arent designed to handle. In fact, if this happens multiple times it can reduce the lifespan of the battery by a third.
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Lasts Forever: Mazda Mx
It may seem strange to include a sports car on this list, but the Miata is more than worthy. The success of the Miata revolved around its lightweight simplicity, an engineering mantra that when combined with Japanese engineering gives you a seriously reliable car. With basic maintenance, a Miata should easily cross 400,000 miles, and even pass 900,000 miles if you’re dedicated enough to drive it for that long.
Not All Batteries Are Created Equal
All batteries likes the ones in your TV remote or cellphone have an effective lifespan, after which they need to be replaced. Its no different with the battery in your car.
Some owners of new cars across many makes and models say that the factory-supplied battery may disappoint with a shorter-than-expected lifespan. Eventually, some owners replace the factory-equipment battery with a different battery from a brand theyre familiar with and see improved results. In other cases, a factory-equipment battery may last for years with little issue.
Of course, not all car batteries are made the same way, which is why its important to choose a suitable one from a reputable brand when its time to replace yours. This is the first of several steps that drivers can take to help ensure a long and trouble-free life from the battery in their vehicle, and can make the difference between a battery lasting two years or five years or even longer.
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After determining which style of replacement battery is right for your car, consider the warranty offered on the replacement battery youre looking at. Some are pro-rated, while some are longer than others, and some include perks like roadside assistance. There are a multitude of options to cater to every need and budget.
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Dont Leave Your Car Sitting For Too Long
Your cars battery will discharge slowly over time even when its not in use. So, if youre someone who doesnt need to drive around much, its worth taking your car out for a spin every now and then just to maintain the batterys health.
If youre not likely to do this, consider purchasing a battery charger or trickle charger. This is a small device that can be hooked up to your battery when its not in use, to deliver a slow, consistent charge and keep the battery fully charged.
Determining How Long You Should Own Your Car For
The Cost to Replace PartsWhen issues do arise on your vehicle, the cost of replacement parts can vary depending on the age of the vehicle. Some newer vehicles have very expensive parts because they are so technologically advanced. Older cars can sometimes have expensive parts because they are scarcer or are no longer in production. A positive to having an older car is that some of the parts can be purchased secondhand, which can be significantly less than purchasing new parts from a factory. If your car requires repairs with very expensive parts and labor, it might be time to trade it in.Operational CostsThe cost to operate a vehicle can vary based on the age of the car. Some newer vehicles take little to no gas for operation and can be charged to supply power to the engine. This can save a lot of money over time in operational costs, which is something to consider if youre tired of driving around your old gas guzzler. Also, there are a number of tax incentives available for those who purchase eco-friendly vehicles, which can help offset the upfront purchase cost.
The Benefits of a New-to-you Car
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Signs That Your Battery Is Failing
Batteries dont always provide you with clues that theres a problem brewing, but many times they do. Remember that any battery over 3 years should immediately be suspect, as the clock is marching towards failure quickly. Check for any of these items below and if any are present, get the battery tested at AutoZone immediately :
Choose The Right Battery
Choosing the right battery for your vehicle and circumstances is crucial to getting the biggest bang for your buck.
Your car will likely be limited in the size of battery it can take, according to its model, make and engine type. However, consider the available cold cranking amps in your battery size group if youre living in particularly cold conditions. A higher CCA, often found in heavy duty batteries, will mean that your battery is able to perform better in sub-zero temperatures.
Above all, youll need to be sure the battery youre selecting meets or exceeds the Original Equipment Manufacturer requirements that is, the requirements set by the cars manufacturer. For example, your car will need a minimum amp hour rating, and might require specific technology such as a Start/Stop battery.
Choosing the wrong battery can cause your cars internal systems to malfunction, and in turn kill your battery prematurely. We can help you so just Holler or visit our battery selector.
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When To Change The Oil & Fluids
With modern cars, following the oil life monitor is fine and these days, 7,500 to 10,000 miles is not uncommon between oil changes. For older cars without an on-board monitor, its not as clear. Synthetic blends and full synthetics run longer than conventional oils, but as that Edmunds article points out, the once immortal 3,000 mile interval is no longer applicable. With regard to the other fluids, the mileage range for replacement may vary greatly, if they need replacement at all. Depending on your vehicle and the conditions its exposed to , those service intervals may be sooner or later.
Its always best to consult a trusted mechanic when in doubt.
Everyone agrees the scheduled maintenance recommended by the automaker is the bare minimum, said Rocco DeMas, Parts Manager, VW Parts Vortex. If you can build a relationship with a dealership for all your maintenance work, theyll give you good advice and help you avoid spending money on work you might not need.
Knowing what the owners manual says will help you maintain your car properly as well, added Brandon Grade, Service Advisor at Findlay Toyota in Las Vegas, Nevada. The people who built the car will know what should be done to maintain it.
Buy A Safe Reliable Model
You can coax any vehicle to 200,000 miles with enough patience and cash, but that doesnt make doing so a good idea for everyone. The best way to minimize visits to the shop is to start with a model that has a reliable track record. And you dont have to look far for a source. Consumer Reports compiles comprehensive reliability information from our Annual Auto Survey of members. They provide us with data on more than 1 million vehicles, and we publish the findings.
In addition to choosing a reliable model, make sure to pick a car youll want to keep for a long time. Dont compromise on the features you want or buy less or more vehicle than you think youll need. If this is going to be a long relationship, it may as well be a happy one. So choose a vehicle that will fit your lifestyle today and tomorrow, and pick one that youll enjoy driving.
While youre shopping, keep a sharp eye out for cars that have the latest safety features. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot warning are highly recommended. Remember to research how well any vehicle youre interested in performed in government and insurance-industry safety tests.
When youve found a vehicle youre interested in, take it to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic inspection, which costs about $100 to $150. A mechanic can help you spot signs of wear or abuse that you might not see.
See our list of most and least reliable new cars.
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What’s The Life Expectancy Of My Car
Automakers would just love it if we went out and bought a new car every few years. But not all of us are hitting the showrooms with that frequency. Mike in Maine, for example, wants to know how long his car will keep going.
Im driving a 1993 Toyota Camry with over 235,000 miles. I have spent about $2,000 in maintenance on the car since 1996, when I bought it with 64k on the odometer. The car runs fine and drives fine. Whats the useful life of a car these days? No one can tell me the average life I should expect from this engine or transmission.Mike T., Portland, Maine
You should be driving down the road with a big smile on your face, because you certainly got your moneys worth from that Camry. Consumer Reports says the average life expectancy of a new vehicle these days is around 8 years or 150,000 miles. Of course, some well-built vehicles can go 15 years and 300,000, if properly maintained.
Theres no way to tell how much longer your car will stay trouble-free, but somewhere down the road, even with the best maintenance, a major part is going to fail. When a vehicle exceeds 200,000 miles you are riding on borrowed time and the car is paying you back, says John Ibbotson at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center.
I checked with Washington Mutual and the bank does have monthly limits as required by federal regulation for certain types of transfers or withdrawals for savings and money market deposit accounts.
Which Models Have Longer Lifespans
A lot goes into factoring the average lifespan of a car. Advanced features and top-of-the-line parts can make a real difference in a cars lifespan. Of course, not all cars are created equal, but who makes your car also plays a role in how long it will last. According to this report, cars manufactured by Japanese companies are at the top of the list for higher lifespans.
Other factors that affect a cars lifespan include:
- Standard car engine vs. electric
- Foreign vs. domestic makes
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How Long Do Ev Warranties Last
Another thing to consider before buying an electric car is its warranty. This will give you a good idea of how long the manufacturer expects different parts of the car to remain in working order, and which expenses youll have to pay for out of pocket.
Warranties can vary from one automaker to the next, and even from state to state, so read them carefully. Federal law requires electric vehicle battery warranties to last for at least eight years or 100,000 miles, but other components usually have a shorter warranty, which may be as little as three years or 36,000 miles.
California requires some battery warranties to last for 10 years or 150,000 miles, but this only applies to hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids , not battery electric vehicles .
Some vehicles, such as the Hyundai Kona EV, come with a lifetime battery warranty for battery failure, but battery degradation is only covered for a maximum of three years.
In some cases, the warranty can only be claimed by the original owner, so be sure to do your research if youre buying a used EV and want to transfer the warranty.
Battery warranties can be confusing, but the fact that youll be covered for up to eight years should give you some indication of your cars expected battery lifespan.
A Car’s Lifespan Depends On You
Certain cars are still made better than others. Automakers like Toyota and Honda have built a reputation for producing reliable and long-lasting vehicles. Similarly, Chevrolet and Ford are well-known for making long-lasting trucks. For example, the Toyota Camry consistently tops reliability surveys from outlets such as Consumer Reports. As a brand, Toyota was ranked third overall in the publication’s 2020 reliability survey conducted with owners.
But the lifespan of every car is still affected by how well the vehicle is maintained. Even the best-made vehicle won’t last very long without regular car maintenance such as oil changes and replacement of worn parts. While some owners ditch their old car for a new one when a repair becomes prohibitively expensive, it’s becoming more common to see vehicles driven daily that are 15, 20, or 25 years old or even older. It isn’t just random luck that these cars are still running, but rather the fact that they were well-maintained from day one.
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Drive Smoothly Most Of The Time
Driving with mechanical sympathy is something you should practise at all times. That means using the controls of your car while understanding how it works.
Doing so will reduce component wear and youll make your fuel go further. Simple things like using the steering wheel, gearbox and pedals smoothly are key, along with looking well ahead to reduce the need for sudden braking.
Our guide on how to save fuel offers many more tips to improve your driving style to get the most out of your car and its fuel economy.
The more aggressive you are on the pedals the higher your fuel and repair bills are likely to be. Driving smoothly is kinder to your car and the environment, plus accelerating and decelerating in a controlled manner and anticipating the road ahead will save you pounds on your fuel bill.
RAC patrol Chris Burgess
That said, if you never rev your engine fully, carbon deposits can build up and foul the valves, intake manifold and other parts, reducing efficiency and potentially causing a misfire.
You should therefore allow your engine to rev to the redline at least once every few hundred miles but only when the oil is warm and youre on a quiet road.
Diesel cars may also have problems with clogged diesel particulate filters , which are designed to trap harmful exhaust emissions.
A longer motorway run once a month will help clear them.
How Long Should You Keep Your Car
Every year we get a little older. Every mile we drive our cars, they too, get a little bit older. Like our bodies, they gain wear and tear, dents and dings, and things begin to break down. Even with regular maintenance, the environment that we drive in takes its toll on our cars. So how do you know how long you should keep your car? How do you know when its time for you to part ways?
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How Long Does A Car Battery Last Without Driving
Most car batteries which are in good condition will last at least two weeks without needing you to start the car and drive to recharge it, according to the AA. But if you dont intend to drive your car for some time for whatever reason, you should still start it up once a week to recharge the 12V battery.
Want to know how to avoid getting a flat battery, and what you need to do if you go to drive your car and the batterys dead? Read on to find out good and bad habits when it comes to maintaining this vital component.
Sure youre getting the best deal? Moneyshake finds you the best car lease deals, simplifying your search for a brand-new car.
How Long Tesla Batteries Last
Model 3 drive unit & body is designed like a commercial truck for a million mile life. Current battery modules should last 300k to 500k miles . Replacing modules will only cost $5k to $7k.
Elon Musk
According to SolarReviews, the current batteries in Teslas are designed to last for 300,000 to 500,000 miles. After that point, the battery will likely need to be replaced. SolarReviews points out that a Tesla battery might still work beyond 500,000 miles, although with a reduced range per charge. There is also talk that Tesla is working on a battery that will last for one million miles.
The average Tesla battery degrades about 10 percent after 160,000 miles, which means its still at 90 percent of its peak performance even after that many miles. Recharging does reduce a batterys ability to hold a charge, especially if a full charge is needed daily. Most people wont need to charge that completely though.
Musk has said the Model 3s body and drive unit should be able to last for a million miles, according to Electrek. Since Teslas havent been around for very long, there isnt much data on how long Tesla vehicles are actually able to last.
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