Truck Help: How Long Do Truck Batteries Last?

This is the most obvious one, and the fastest to check off the list. A low-quality battery is almost always going to have a shorter lifespan than a high-quality battery.

Make sure that you're purchasing a reputable brand, and do your best to avoid used batteries when possible. A poorly built battery won't only not last as long -- you run the risk of multiple dangerous faults, such as bursting or even exploding. Suffice to say that your truck won't appreciate an engine full of flaming battery acid.

As minor as it might seem, the environment around you can have a drastic impact on the life of your battery. For example, car batteries are more likely to fail in the winter due to the reduced temperatures. Similarly, your battery won't be working as hard in warm temperatures.

In an extremely reductive explanation of this, this is because heat helps to accelerate the activity within your battery that starts and runs your vehicle. When warm, that activity is already accelerated. When cold, your battery will have to work much, much harder.

So your battery is likely to last longer in a warmer climate than in a cold one. Other factors, such as the salt in the air in beach towns or constant moisture in highly humid environments, also have an effect.

It seems obvious enough, but it also bears remembering! Your battery's life will vary depending on how often it's used.

If you're driving your truck long distances on a regular basis, everything is going to need more attention and maintenance. Your battery is absolutely no exception to this and is arguably more susceptible to it than other parts might be.

The wear and tear that you put on your truck directly relates to your battery. Make sure that you're keeping up with all of your parts in accordance with your use of them.

As with virtually everything else in our lives, truck batteries last longer when properly cared for. This is likely to directly correlate to the previously mentioned environmental factors and truck wear and tear.

If you live in an environment that can be detrimental to your battery, ensure that you're checking on it often. Become familiar with what needs to be addressed, such as cleaning cables and other minor maintenance tasks. Keeping these tasks done will give your battery that extra bit of life.

At the end of the day, there's an entire fleet of mechanics in every city that know as much about your truck as possible. If you feel like your battery is breaking down too soon or that the time might be approaching don't hesitate to bring it to a mechanic.

Some trucks may also have warranties that require you to bring it to the manufacturer. In the interest of your battery, it doesn't matter which you bring it to. Don't ever wait to bring it in, as every day is another day your battery could go out without you being prepared.