I think that there is good reason to believe that the batteries in our Challengers will last a little longer than those in other cars, because of their cooler trunk-installed location. As a guideline, each 8°C (15°F) rise in temperature cuts the life of a sealed lead acid battery in half. A VRLA batteryfor stationary applications that would last 10 years at 25°C (77°F) would only live for five years if operated at 33°C (95°F). Once the battery is damaged by heat, the capacity cannot be restored. The life of a battery also depends on the activity and is shortened if the battery is stressed with frequent discharge. According to the 2010 BCI Failure Mode Study, starter batteries have become more heat-resistant over the past 10 years. In the 2000 study, a change of 7°C (12°F) affected battery life by roughly one year; in 2010 the heat tolerance has widened to 12°C (22°F). In 1962, a starter battery lasted 34 months, and in 2000 the life expectancy had increased to 41 months. In 2010, BCI reports an average age of 55 months of use. The cooler North attains 59 months and the warmer South 47 months.
more good news.. thanks Tom. still working on my original battery in my Prowler... 2002. and this post might add up to that... it is mounted forward of the radiator, away from the engine, and is the first thing to catch the breeze when driving... air flows right over it. Also explains why you see more of them 'wrapped' nowadays.
I wondered why my 2003 Durango battery was still alive and well when I traded it this January. I don't remember putting in a battery in my two Sebring convertibles 2001 and 2002 when I traded them off in 2010.
