With this article, we’re out to answer the question “How Long Do Car Batteries Last in Arizona?” It’s a conversation we have with our customers a lot throughout the year. Arizona is certainly a unique state. Everyone knows it’s hot in Arizona. And it is, in the deserts. You may be surprised to learn that Arizona is more than just desert. In fact, of the more than 30 climate classifications, Arizona has 11 of them including tundra. We can see temperatures well above 100 degrees, and below 0 degrees without crossing the state line.
How Long Do Car Batteries Last in Arizona?
Depending on the type of battery you purchase, about 2 or 3 years.
What does this have to do with your car battery? A car battery is an electrochemical device, usually made up of 6 individual cells. Each cell produces approximately two volts using an electrochemical reaction. Temperature can effect how this reaction works. Batteries tend to work best around 80 degrees, which is about the same as a warm spring day in Arizona.
Summer Temperatures and Your Battery
High temperatures speed up the reactions, with a few down sides. High internal temperatures in your car battery damage and corrode the cells, which shorten it’s life. High temperatures can also cause your car’s charging system to unintentionally overcharge the battery, which compounds the problem even further.
Parking in a climate controlled garage, or in the shade can help keep your battery (and the rest of your car) cool. Relocating the battery to a cooler spot like the trunk or interior of your car may also be an option if you want to get the most life out of your car’s battery.
How Long Do Car Batteries Last in Arizona?
What About Winter?
Cold slows the reactions down, which makes your battery seem slow or weak. Car batteries come with a Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) rating, which is a way to determine how well that battery works in the cold. Higher CCA ratings, the better the battery handles extreme cold.
Speaking of extreme cold, did you know that batteries can freeze? A filly charged battery in good condition would need to be exposed to -58 degree weather to freeze, which is unlikely here, but a weak battery can fail around 30 degrees!
To add to the stresses of cold on your car battery, you’re more likely to use things like your heater, defroster, seat heater, windshield wipers, and lights all at the same time in the winter. This places a strain on your charging system as a whole as your battery and alternator struggle to keep up with the extra demand!
Best Car Battery for Arizona
The best car battery for Arizona depends on the climate where you drive most of the time. If you live in the Phoenix metro area, you’ll want a battery with a high reserve capacity (RC) rating. Reserve capacity is the number of minutes a fully charged battery can sustain a designated constant load — usually 25 amps — before it is fully discharged. A battery with a higher reserve capacity will put up with the demand caused by things like your A/C system and cooling fan better.
In the colder climates, like Flagstaff, you want a battery with a high Cold Cranking Amp rating (CCA). CCA is a rating used in the battery industry to define a battery’s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. The rating refers to the number of amps a 12-volt battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts.
How Long Do Car Batteries Last in Arizona?
Depending on the type of battery you purchase, you can expect to get 2 or 3 years out of it. If you purchase a battery with a 3 year warranty, you can expect to get a free battery the next time you need one!
Hopefully, this article has armed you with everything you need to know about car batteries in Arizona!
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