Fact or fiction about life of batteries in hot areas

[path1]

Just curious...I was told yesterday that batteries in cars/trucks only last about 5 or 6 years in AZ heat. "Sitting in hot weather cooks them and shorten their lives".

Fact or fiction?

[Gjac]

All things equal I think batteries will last longer in a colder climate. The problem is things are not equal. Most on here are posting how long their car batteries last. My Walmart Max starting batteries for my cars last about 3-4 years in CT, but I don't maintain them like my MH batteries. I just drive and park them. My MH I recharge my 2 Sams Club 6v CG batteries when they self discharge to 95% SOC and charge the Walmart Max starting battery at the same time. I also equalize maybe 2 or 3 a year. These batteries are over 9 years old and still going strong. The colder the temps the slower the self discharge is, but I think maintenance plays a much bigger role in longevity.

[ktmrfs]

I suspect temps do have something to do with it. Since moving to Oregon, batteries lasted longer than in montana.

So, on my 2004 Silverado factory batteries 10 years, 125K miles
97 Mercedes E420 factory battery 12 years, 100K miles
97 mercedes SL500 factory battery 13 years 80K mile

[EV2]

Jeep battery in Tucson is past 7 years and still reads 12.8 volts.

[pianotuna]

The speed of the chemical reaction approximately doubles for each ten degrees Celsius increase. That means, sitting idle a battery in hot weather, positive plate erosion will be increased. That shortens the life and decreases capacity.

Increased temperature also lowers the gassing voltage so that electrolyte losses may be lots higher unless a temperature compensated charger is used.

Conversely at very low temperatures (say -40) an ordinary converter will not properly recharge the batteries. Of course, that means the batteries may sulfate, if they are in use. Capacity is much lower just to add to the mix.

[2oldman]

aguablanco wrote:
I have lived in the Phoenix area for 26 years and I can tell you that batteries last about 3 years in our vehicles. I know of no one who gets 5, let alone 6 on theirs.
RichH

that's about right.

[aguablanco]

I have lived in the Phoenix area for 26 years and I can tell you that batteries last about 3 years in our vehicles. I know of no one who gets 5, let alone 6 on theirs.
RichH

[sjholt]

I'm getting between 3 and 4 years out of auto batteries here in the hot south-west.
One exception is my 65 El Camino. I have an Odyssey battery in it and don't use much and keep a battery tender on it all the time. It's 15 years old. Still starts and runs fine.

[Sam_Spade]

scrubjaysnest wrote:
extreme heat or cold will reduce battery life.

Not true. If they do not actually freeze, cold increases the overall life of a battery. The capacity will be less WHILE it is cold however.

And yes it is true that batteries age faster when it's HOT. The chemical reaction goes faster.

As for the 5 or 6 year number: Too many other variables to call that one.

[westend]

All things considered, a battery in warmer climes will have a shorter life than one in colder locations. It's an electrochemical reaction and is influenced by temperature. How much difference is the real question.

I see that in a lot of vehicles the battery is enclosed in a "blanket". That should help to keep temperatures more stable.

FWIW, my Motorcraft truck battery, which lived a somewhat stressed life, endured 10 years, one month in MN. We have some of the largest extremes in temperature. I believe much of the longevity formula is influenced by the quality of the battery, originally.

Generally, I'd say that most original vehicle starter batteries fit the 5-6 year rule as people don't maintain them. True across all climates.

[path1]

gbopp wrote:
How long do batteries last on the wet side of Washington :@

My 2001 Dodge...new to me in march of 2003 had new batteries and replaced them Oct 2015. When getting replaced at Les Schawb in Seattle I was told I'm not even close to their record. However for many years I only used pick up maybe once a week. Coming up on 87,000 miles. Maybe that's why batteries lasted so long? But I've heard letting batteries sit is also bad for them. Wives 2006 CRV is on 3rd battery. But is the size of shoe box. I see some batteries that have 4 or 5 year warranty. On pick up maybe I was lucky on my first set and second set might not make it so long?

Anyways, surprised me when I heard battery life is only 4 or 5 years. And attributed to heat in south west.

[scrubjaysnest]

extreme heat or cold will reduce battery life. This seems to be an unknown variable between manufactures and batches of batteries.

[midnightsadie]

wow! I live in northeast ohio my 2005 F150 has the org battery.and it sits in the barn all the time. only 70k on it.

[Lantley]

Here in the east I had a few batteries last all summer long but die on the first cold morning!

[grizzzman]

Heat and batteries

[gbopp]

How long do batteries last on the wet side of Washington :@