When to change battery?
 

I have a 98 Accord and the battery was changed about 5 years ago. The car still starts up fine but I was wondering if there is a regular maintenance interval at which you should change your battery?

Do other parts of the car, i.e. starter motor, distributor, alternator, etc., work harder if the battery is older? Can I prevent other parts from wearing prematurely by getting a new battery?

Good ones are fairly inexpensive so I have no problem getting a new one if it's warranted.

RE: When to change battery?
 

A new battery is good preventive maintenence, especially if it's 5 years old. A sudden change in temperature could render the battery totally dead with no warning and leave you stranded somewhere. It's not going to hurt anything to use an older battery, but I would get a new one if I were you.

RE: When to change battery?
 

usually a battery will last 3-5 years depends on the climate you reside in.......
5 years and still going strong is very good............It is very unlikely that a battery will totally quit on you without and previous signs,, .. I would replace as soon as you feel a sign from a weak battery ,, that woom . woom. woom, longer cranks before it starts,
when you replace the battery, have the shop test the charging system ...because the alternator on the other hand, can crap out on you without any signs of it being faulty..

RE: When to change battery?
 

Just have it load tested. Your local autoparts store should be able to test it for you.

RE: When to change battery?
 

That sounds like a good idea. I have an Advanced Auto Parts and an Autozone by me. I'll stop by one to have them test both the charging system and battery.

RE: When to change battery?
 

When an auto battery is approaching five years old I feel that I'm pushing my luck asking it to go farther. It's not an expensive item....replace it.