How long does a battery last? More than 10 years?

I have a '97 Prelude that is 9 1/2 years old now and is still running on the
original battery. I heard of a '97 CRX today that is also on the original
battery.

Are these now typical lifetimes?

I am more used to 2-4 year lifetimes for batteries.

 

Depends on the climate where you live. I never had a battery last more than
2 summers in Phoenix, but I haven't bought one in the 5 years I've been in
Flagstaff.

Mike

 

For the archives, about whereabouts do you live?

My first two or three 91 Civic batteries lasted about 4 to
4.5 years each, driven in northern U.S.

But through carelessness I ran each battery down to "dead"
several times. That's a big factor in battery life.

From rough memory here, seems 4 years is the least one
should expect, assuming the battery isn't allowed to be run
down very often.

IIRC we've seen folks post getting ten years or so once in
awhile.

 

See my response to this identical post in rec.autos.makers.honda.

 

havea 97 civic that I just replaced the orig battery too! I think this
was a rare thing. Your 2-4 year lifetime for a battery is my typical
experience. But if you live in a mild climate you may have extended the
batteries life.

 

I think you might be ready for the record books at 9.5 years. Of
course operating conditions make a big difference. Perhaps you live in
a very mild climate and/or always garage your car???

John

 

Hi George,

You are definitely above average at 9.5 years. In fact, one might say
that you are on "borrowed time". When I thought I might have a
charging problem the local Honda dealer did a battery and charging
system check for free. I am not sure if they can tell how long your
battery will last but if you have a low tolerence for break-downs you
might want to have your battery tested. I have had batteries that I
thought were fine die with very little warning. I believe many auto
parts stores (if you trust them) will also load test your battery for
free. Otherwise you might just want to go for the record!
Good luck!

Mike

 

For the record, the Prelude lives in central North Carolina and has never
been garaged. It has not had the use it deserves, amassing only about 95K
miles to now.

 

I live in Ohio and the bat for my 96 Civic 2dr EX was over 9 years old..I
replaced it by choice not because it was dead.

 

We live in the Houston area, and have our Honda and Nissan service
departments replace the OEM batteries in our '88 Accord and '95 Maxima every
two years as a matter of owner-mandated 'routine' maintenance. What I lose
on pro-rated battery replacement under warranty I recover by avoiding road
(or, more usually, garage) service expenses. The optimum (minimum cost)
replacement interval for both cars worked out to be two years.