How long should an OEM battery last?

"mazda616" (mazda616) 11/07/2019 at 21:22 • Filed to: Battery Life

0

35

I am finding conflicting answers on Google.

My car is a ‘16 Mazda6 i Touring and I’ve noticed it getting a little weaker on cold morning starts. I’m about to have a remote start system installed at a local shop and I was thinking I might get the car’s battery replaced beforehand to avoid any future problems.

The car was built in August 2015 and I bought it new in October 2015.

dogisbadob > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:31

0

Depends on the climate. In Texas or Arizona or Florida, 3 years is reasonable to expect a battery to last.

Up north, 5 years

Heat kills battery life

ClassicDatsunDebate > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:35

0

There’s so many variables.  I had a TL that had a warranty replacement battery after one year.  I’ve also had batteries last 10 years.  5 years in a hot climate is minimum reasonable life expectancy I’d reckon.

wafflesnfalafel > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:38

1

I’ve had one last 9 years and I’ve had one last less than three.  I think it’s the frequent short hops that kill them - never gets a full charge and there is more drain on them in modern cars.

fintail > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:39

3

Your local climate determines everything.

In the mild parts of the PNW, batteries can last forever. My W210 E55  was 11.5 years old when I sold it, original battery with no signs of trouble. The fintail has even averaged 7 or so years per battery, which seem to be done-in by other issues, and it only has a generator.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:39

16

It varies, but you’re well within the window. If you notice it cranking slower in the morning, that is your cue to replace it soon at a t ime and place of your choosing. You my well be able to get more life out of it, but I’ve never seen a battery finally give it up at a convenient time or place.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:40

0

4-5 years sounds about right to me for an OEM battery dying.

Longtime Lurker > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:51

0

It depends, how the car is being used affects life driven everyday for short trips to work is harder than occasional use for longer drives. Batteries also don’t do well in extreme climate (too hot or too cold).

The battery in my Ranger lasted 3 years with my short commute to work being too much for the battery it also froze several times because it has no insulation. I added a battery blanket when I replaced it and haven’t had problems since (6 years). My dad’s Venture had the original battery for 13 years before we replaced as preventative maintenance ( it would have lasted longer), because he has a work van he drives the Venture only gets driven a couple times a week.

DipodomysDeserti > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:53

1

The stocker on my wife’s BMW lasted five years in the hottest city in the US which I found pretty impressive.

E90M3 > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:53

0

Depends, pretty sure the battery in my M3 is original to the car; it’s 9 years old now.

jimz > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 21:56

0

4-5 years. 

SiennaMan > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 11/07/2019 at 22:07

4

This is the only take. It might last several more months, if it doesn’t, it’s likely to go after dark on a surface parking lot in the sleet far from home.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:07

0

As everyone said, climate is a big factor, not to mention all the sensors on new cars that need to draw on the battery to recognize key fobs and what not take their toll as well. The battery in my Dart lasted just about 3 years 

hike > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:12

0

Replaced the battery in my 14 Mazda6 in winter 2017-18 and replaced it in my mom's 15 the next year. So you're probably due! 

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:21

0

If it's a shite optima yellow top? 2 years? Went through 3 in 6 years. Got it swapped for a red top and 2 years later and I said F it and went interstate. 

shop-teacher > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:31

4

I usually get five years, but four is respectable. If you're noticing slow cranking in fall weather, I wouldn't hesitate to swap it out now. Don't want to find out the hard way this winter.

Boredskater > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:32

0

Active technician here, every interstate (including oem factory branded but manufactured by interstate though i don’t know mazdas source) , a/c delco, or napa branded battery i’ve seen from middle of 2016 through all of 2017 is already shot with 1/3 of cranking amps, usually arrive weak with hesitant starts but customers are used to the slow degradation and don’t notice until the printouts get handed over. Still can’t get a straight answer if they changed manufacture for environmental reasons or what, but i’ve had plenty of 10 year old batteries with no loss in the past. Every ‘16-‘17 battery thats come my way is a turd and ready for replacement.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:38

0

The OEM battery on my outback lasted 4.5 years. I think I still have the original battery in my Mazda from when I bought it in 2009!

HammerheadFistpunch > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:47

4

3 to 5 years tops

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 22:55

1

The original battery in our ‘08 Vibe lasted over 9 years.

The original battery in my ‘14 Taco needs to be replaced soon.

It’s a total game of roulette.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > mazda616 11/07/2019 at 23:38

0

As little as 5 but as many as 9.

Though a friend with a super short commute burned out 2 in 4 years. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 00:00

0

4-6 years from what I’ve heard. But I’ve never owed a car long enough to to replace a battery twice lol

I think we replaced my wife’s 2011 Fit in Early  2016

someoneatacura > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 00:18

0

Depends on so many factors. Battery type, duty cycle, climate, if you’re stupid and leave the lights on all the time.

OEM batteries are n’t always the greatest, or are super great. If you’re worried about it have it tested, pretty simple thing to do. You can also get solar panels that trickle charge it if you’re not ready to replace but don’t want to be stranded.

Pro tip, turn off all your accessory electronics before you crank (headlights, etc), just another thing to sap charge during startup.

LongbowMkII > fintail 11/08/2019 at 00:43

1

The 00  s2k I bought a few years ago still had the OEM battery when I replaced it in 2016 after it lived in California 

Fyoeu > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 01:03

0

Interestingly, in my mom’s 06 Accord, each battery has lasted just a hair under 5 years before needing replacement. Pretty impressive considering how Honda puts TINY (51R) batteries in their 4 cylinder cars.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 05:39

0

I had an OEM Mazda battery in my ‘11 that cranked poorly in the cold for 4 years before I replaced it. Sometimes I had to twist the key twice, but the car started every time.

It still worked when I replaced it in late 2018 (7+ years of service!). Just didn’t want my wife to have to learn how to deal with the quirks of my car when I passed it to her!

Old-Busted-Hotness > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 06:14

0

About 2 weeks longer than the vehicle warranty.

Arrivederci > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 07:41

1

You’re on borrowed time - batteries in modern cars seem to only make it 3-4 years.  My S3 was a 2015 and I had to replace the battery in 2018.

mazda616 > Arrivederci 11/08/2019 at 08:44

0

That’s what I figured. I’m going to get a new battery today. I just hope I don’t lose my maintenance tracking or my radio station presets.

benn454 > dogisbadob 11/08/2019 at 09:00

1

 As does cold.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail 11/08/2019 at 09:15

1

Yeah. I regularly see batteries that are 12 years old. But then we're also regularly replacing batteries at 4 years. It's a lottery.

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 11/08/2019 at 12:18

0

I suspect lots of short trips can strain them too.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 11/08/2019 at 13:05

0

Whack. My old 2010 Elantra (RIP) had its factory battery until 2018. So about a 9 year life. I just replaced the one in my Golf, date code was 2006. I found an Interstate with a 2018 stamp on it, so I should be good until the car dies I think.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > fintail 11/08/2019 at 15:22

0

The ones we do at 3-4 years are almost entirely just because eco start/stop stops working. That system is super sensitive to a slightly low battery. Many of those are car2go and short trip vehicles like you said.

fintail > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 11/08/2019 at 16:14

1

With my Bluetec, I recall I was away for 3 weeks, and when I returned, dead - probably because the prior drive was just a couple miles.  Although my commute has been short, I try to get out on the weekend for at least 40-50 miles of highway driving to get the car breathing and charged again. I recall a tech here recommended to drive at speed a bit now and then. No such issues on the S213, knock on wood.

NojustNo > mazda616 11/08/2019 at 17:16

0

Just had replaced the factory battery in my 11 328i. Got a N apa battery and a shop programmed it for $70. Saved $200 over the dealer. Hopefully it lasts a while too!