The threads here about batteries and starting issues has me thinking I should have my almost 4 year old battery tested at AutoZone.

I've had zero problems, and only have 27K miles, but I'm reading and being told that 3 to 4 years is a typical lifespan here in Tampa Bay.

Not having owned a car for 35 years makes me a noob at 63 years old. Does my proposed course of action make sense? I'd hate to get stuck if the battery fails.

 

getting the amperage checked is a good thing plus going to autozone will mean free.
if i was concerned, id check the water level on each of the cells too and add distilled water if low.

the longest running battery ive had was 12yrs on one of my old cars i sold a few yrs ago.. i was the original single owner of the car and the battery was still holding a good charge when i traded the car in. so 4yrs to me is not that old. the previous Fits ive had were 5-6yrs old when sold and they too were holding a good charge on original battery.

 

Thank you, kenchan.

I went to AutoZone this morning, and my battery is in rude good health. Peace of mind for a $5.00 tip! What a great service...I know I'll continue to shop there first.

 

Tampa here as well and I've never had a battery last more than 5 years, most have failed around 3.

 

sounds good. $5 is well worth it for the comfort of knowing your battery is good!

 

Best battery from the factory I've ever had was in our old '91 Toyota Tercel. Was Panasonic branded, and lasted 10 years, having spent most of those 10 years living outside/non-garaged in the Detroit area. That thing amazed me, it just always held a charge.

 

I have a motorhome with a 10 year old engine battery in it. Getting ready for a 4000+mile trip in a couple of weeks. I'll not worry about it other than checking the acid / water level before I leave. I usually do that twice a year.

Batteries do not like a lot of heat or being run all the way down. Both will shorten it's life.

 

Had a battery in my Toyota Tacoma (don't remember the brand name) that lasted 8 years. The only reason I replaced it was because it became misshaped - kinda roundish looking like it was getting ready to pop.