Car Drama And A Question

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I was going to Venice Beach for a walk but changed my mind. On the way back I stopped at a gas station in Culver City to get a Diet Coke. After getting my Diet Coke my 2019 Kia Optima with 65,000 miles didn't start. I didn't put all those miles on it. I only put 15,000 miles on it and got a good price when I bought it used because of the relatively high mileage. Lo and behold like an apparition an AAA tow truck driver pulls in. I said "Sir, my car won't start." He says let me go in and use the restroom and then I'll give you a jump. At first my car wouldn't turn over but he took the charging unit back to his truck and gave it more juice. My car started,

I drove to the dealership in Glendale where I bought my car because I have an extended warranty. I know batteries aren't covered. It's normal wear and tear.

I don't know where I would be without Google Map. Anyway I replaced the battery. Is 65,000 miles for a battery good? If it was the alternator I presume the car wouldn't run even after a charge. Is my presumption correct?

BTW I know there are some handypeople here.

Thank you in advance.

[Phoenix61]

1. Battery life isn't based on mileage.

It’s based on months. How old was the battery?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. The battery is approximately three years old.

But wouldn't there be a difference with a batter that was three years old with 30,000 miles and a batter that is three years old with 65,000 miles?

[Phoenix61]

4. Not really. Think about how when you let a car

sit for a couple of weeks it won’t start. That’s the battery.

[Marthe48]

5. When you buy a battery, its expected life is printed somewhere on it

The more a battery costs, the longer it lasts.

I think batteries in general work because of chemical reactions inside. As they age, they use up the chemicals and finally fail. At least, that's how household batteries work. I think.

[elleng]

2. NOT a handyperson, thank goodness for AAA,

diagnosed my repeated 'failure to start' (@ home, thank goodness,) so awaiting replacement alternator! (New battery from AAA a few years ago, 2018, tester said LOTS of juice in the battery.) 180,000 miles on OLD Toyo.

Cars DO run after charge, with defective/old alternator, but won't start reliably thereafter.

[Kali]

6. batteries are good for about 3 years depending on weather

teeth need brushing after meals

[padfun]

7. Most batteries last 3 years or so.

And the poster above is correct. If a car sits, it hurts the battery. So does a lot of short trips.

I just changed my 2016 Mustang battery and this is the second time I've changed it. It was 2½ years old but was used exclusively for short trips in the last year. When I measured the voltage after sitting overnight, it was at 12.37 and should have been close to 12.6. It means it wasn't holding a charge and I would rather replace it now rather than having to go thru what you just did.

If you use a FOB to unlock your car, your car is listening all the time and that drains a battery over time. Long trips of 40 miles or so can recharge a battery if it isn't too old.

But yes, 3 years is usual for a battery replacement.

[brush]

9. A good battery should last more than 3 years if the car is regularly used as the alternator...

recharges it as the car runs. If the car sits without running for long periods the battery won't last as long. Also cold weather climates can shorten the life of a battery.

I just had one replaced last week after 7 years, but I live in Vegas with warm weather.

[padfun]

10. Modern cars (since 2014) have lots of chips

And are listening all the time. Yes older cars had batteries that lasted 5 years or more, but times have changed. Your car is at least 7 years old and doesn't use the juice newer cars use.

And you're right about cold weather, but extreme heat can also wear a battery down.

BTW, I used to live in Las Vegas back in 1984-87 but it was a totally different city then.

[AndyS]

8. 65000 miles is nothing for a modern car, twice that and it's a negotiating point.

Batteries are a time and recharge issue. Lead acid batteries (car batteries) do not like to be run all the way down. It shortens the life to operate them that way. Beyond that modern batteries pack a lot of energy density in a small size. That means the plates are much closer together. Failures come very quickly if not instantly.

Back in the day (50s to 80s) they gave you some warning; cranking slowly, sometimes needing to 'rest' between attempts to start. No more. Works on the way to the store, won't crank in the parking lot.

Not knowing the history and such I'd say three years isn't a surprise. The alternator is another issue and if there aren't any warning lights I'd think it's okay. Only takes a minute to check when the battery is replaced.