MC Rider
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
These things are not meant to sit unused. They need to drive.
Well yea. This was ten years ago. I have a lithium jump box now and jumper cables.Get a battery jump start box and jump start yourself.
Also charge your phone or other things in a pinch.
Lots of choices out there.
I’ve read the same thing, parasitic drain from lots of electronic gadgets. Fortunately we drive both our cars almost every day, evidently a car battery can go dead in as little as four weeks if not driven.
I don't think I have ever had a battery last less than 7 years. My 2006 Jeep Liberty is on it's second battery and my 2013 Chevy Cruze is still on it's original.
Do you keep your vehicles garaged? Over the years, I've found my "indoor" vehicles' batteries last much longer. YMMV
The OE battery on our Ford Hybrid (which is unusually small for the reason you note) lasted under 4 years. The replacement Motorcraft battery from the Ford dealer has been in the car over 5 years. I plan to replace it before winter.Hybrids don't use the 12 volt battery to start. The power comes from the big, high voltage battery. The 12 volt battery just powers the controls.
Came home yesterday to find DW stranded at home with a dead 12V battery on her 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid! After jumping the car, I got it replaced at the Honda dealer for free under warranty.
I have replaced car batteries proactively at about 4 years without being confronted with a dead batt for decades, never expected a battery failure after 2 years 9 months. Is that normal for OEM batteries these days or just bad luck? I read a couple of Honda and Subaru forums with lots of posts about how crappy OEM batteries are these days, but for all I know there are thousands of owners who haven't had (premature) battery failures. Some of the posters had replaced their batteries with much better after market batteries shortly after buying their new Hondas/Subarus - seems like a waste.
Now I'm wondering if I need to be concerned about my Subaru with a 3 year 6 month old OEM battery... I may buy a battery load tester, or at least a shop/parts store that has a loaner.
Hybrids don't use the 12 volt battery to start. The power comes from the big, high voltage battery. The 12 volt battery just powers the controls.
Hybrids don't use the 12 volt battery to start. The power comes from the big, high voltage battery. The 12 volt battery just powers the controls.
I'm surprised so many posters know how long their batteries last. I notice slower cranking, usually during the first sign of hot weather. I buy a battery (sometimes let them put it in, sometimes I put it in), and forget about it. I guess if it was "too short" between changes, I'd make a note of it, but, like most people here, the battery doesn't fail within the warranty period, or so close to the end, bothering with the prorating isn't worth buying the same brand. I must say, that I'm less than thorough about car maintenance records. If it tells me to change the oil, I have it changed, but have no clue as to the history of changes, for instance. I look at the tire tread and buy a new set when they've not got much left, but have no idea how many miles that last set offered me. I get how some people could be interested in those things, but just doesn't keep my attention.
I'm surprised so many posters know how long their batteries last. I notice slower cranking, usually during the first sign of hot weather. I buy a battery (sometimes let them put it in, sometimes I put it in), and forget about it. I guess if it was "too short" between changes, I'd make a note of it, but, like most people here, the battery doesn't fail within the warranty period, or so close to the end, bothering with the prorating isn't worth buying the same brand. I must say, that I'm less than thorough about car maintenance records. If it tells me to change the oil, I have it changed, but have no clue as to the history of changes, for instance. I look at the tire tread and buy a new set when they've not got much left, but have no idea how many miles that last set offered me. I get how some people could be interested in those things, but just doesn't keep my attention.
... With modern cars, often they won't even let you "slow crank" even though it would start if the voltage is too low and often do not give any warning. ....
I must say, that I'm less than thorough about car maintenance records. If it tells me to change the oil, I have it changed, but have no clue as to the history of changes, for instance. I look at the tire tread and buy a new set when they've not got much left, but have no idea how many miles that last set offered me. I get how some people could be interested in those things, but just doesn't keep my attention.
I'm surprised so many posters know how long their batteries last.
So now US readers know their warranty too.