Hey guys,

So, last night, me, the wifey, and our two friends all went to the drive in. As usual, I was expecting to watch the first movie with accessory switched on, then just let it run until the second movie started. But most of the way through the first one (Public Enemies), the DIC flashed "check charging system" and "on reserve power". I tried to start it and it didn't turn over. I still had full power in the car, but no engine at all. So after I got a jump from my friends Civic, I let it run for like 20 minutes, then started it every 30 minutes for a few. It was fine after that. It's the original battery ('06, almost 60k miles). Is it about time for a new battery? I've never had a car long enough to get a new battery. lol. The battery basically looks brand new though? The battery has only ever fully died twice, both because I left on auxhilery lights that I added on. I removed them after the second time. If not, any other ideas? It's totally fine aside from this issue. As a matter of fact, I just came home fro ma week long vacation last week and it started right up. So this is confusing me.. Thanks for the help in advance..

Thanks!

 

On average a typical battery should last at least five years.
As they get older there capacity lessens and a problem usually shows up in the winter on the first really cold day(the cold reduces battery capacity greatly even on a new one)but that same battery would be fine in the summer.
When they get 4 or 5 years old the sediment from the lead erroding from the plates during the charging process piles up in the bottom and eventually shorts out the plates in the cell and now the car wont start(this occur while hitting a bump and knocking the last bit off the plates and now when you shut the car off it wont restart)
If you would measure the voltage on abad battery that wont start the car(not one thats been drained accidently) you would normally read 10 volts.
2 volts per cell x 6 = 12 volts short one cell out and you get 10 volts(and car wont start.

 

So in other words, it's getting to be about time to replace it? lol. I'll probably get it through this winter, then replace it in spring if so..

 

the only way to really tell if your battery is any good is to take it somewhere that has a battery tester (autozone, ntb, or maybe you have one, idk). The average battery holds about 12-13 volts, so anything less than that and it's most likely time to replace it. The battery testers I use at work even test the starter and alternator to make sure they work as well.