All car parts have a lifespan, and when replacement is necessary, it should happen as soon as possible. When it comes to your battery, you can’t have a fully functioning BMW unless this critical component is fully functioning as well. So how can you tell if it’s time for a new one?

Average Lifespan

The first question that most drivers ask when it comes to their batteries is how long they can go without replacing it. This, of course, depends on how well you take care of it, your driving habits, and whether or not you’ve entrusted your vehicle to a local BMW certified technician. However, when assuming that your usage has been normal and your maintenance has been good, a common average to consider is between two and five years. Still, if you’ve gotten into the habit of taking frequent and brief trips or haven’t paid much attention to common warning signs, especially during the winter, this could be quite a bit shorter.

Winter Worries

All car parts do their job best within a certain temperature range. Your battery is no exception. It will have trouble facilitating the necessary current for healthy ignition in winter conditions, and the acid-water mixture inside will also struggle to do its job when the temperature falls too low. However, battery failure in winter is actually more likely to happen if the battery has been worn down by the high temperatures of summer. For a battery that is on its last legs, the cold months often end up being the final straw, and this is why timing your replacement wisely is so important. The last thing you want is to be stranded on a cold day.

Symptoms to Look For

Fortunately, if your battery needs servicing or replacement, the signs are easy to recognize. For instance, when you turn the ignition, do you get a good start right away or do you get a slow and difficult crank? If there’s a part of your battery that allows view of its fluid level, check this to see whether or not it’s been depleted. Leakage can also cause corrosion where the posts are, which appears as a white residue. Keep an eye out for your check engine light as well. Lastly, always know the age of your battery. If you’re seeing signs and it’s about four or five years old, give your technician a call!

Repairs and replacements tend to sneak up on you during winter. That is, unless you’re diligent about your car care. The team of BMW specialists at Motorwerkes can address any maintenance or repair need you can think of, so call (403) 453-0269 to see what we can do!