Subaru owners are known for their adventurous spirit and love for the road—whether you're commuting daily, heading into the mountains, or cruising the coastline. But no matter where your Subaru takes you, one essential component often gets overlooked until it’s too late: the battery.
Today’s Subarus are packed with modern technology—EyeSight® Driver Assist, STARLINK® infotainment, keyless entry, and climate control systems—all of which rely heavily on a healthy battery. Proper battery maintenance ensures your Subaru performs at its best, rain or shine, trail or highway.
How Much Should You Drive to Keep Your Battery Healthy?
To keep your Subaru’s battery in good condition, it’s important to drive at least 3,000 to 5,000 miles per year—or roughly 60 to 100 miles each week. Driving regularly helps the alternator recharge the battery and keeps the vehicle’s systems running smoothly.
If your Subaru sits idle for long periods—perhaps it's a secondary vehicle, used mostly in certain seasons—it may not be getting the power it needs to stay healthy. That’s when battery trouble starts.
What Happens if the Battery Isn’t Maintained?
Neglecting your battery can lead to a range of problems that can affect your Subaru’s performance and reliability:
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Unexpected Battery Drain: Even when your vehicle is off, systems like the security system and onboard computer continue to draw power. Over time, this can fully drain the battery.
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Shorter Battery Life: Without regular charging through driving or a battery maintainer, your battery may degrade more quickly, sometimes lasting only 2–3 years instead of the typical 4–6.
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Starting Issues and Warning Lights: A weak battery can make your engine slow to crank or even fail to start. You may also see warning lights on your dashboard or notice electronics behaving strangely.
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Costly Repairs: A bad battery can strain your alternator or impact other parts of your electrical system, potentially leading to more expensive repairs.
Tips to Maintain Your Subaru’s Battery
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Drive Weekly: If possible, take your Subaru out for at least a 20–30 minute drive once a week. This helps recharge the battery and exercise all systems.
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Use a Battery Maintainer: If you’re not driving regularly—especially during long trips, deployments, or winter storage—a battery maintainer (also called a trickle charger) can keep your battery at full charge without overloading it.
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Get Regular Inspections: During your Subaru’s routine service visits, ask your service team to check your battery’s voltage and health. A quick diagnostic can help prevent future headaches.
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Be Alert to Warning Signs: If your Subaru cranks slowly, you notice flickering headlights, or systems lag, your battery could be the cause. Don’t wait—get it checked.
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Replace When Ready: Most car batteries, including those in Subarus, last about 4 to 6 years under normal driving conditions. If yours is older or not holding a charge well, it may be time for a replacement.
Trust McDaniels Subaru to Keep You Powered
Your Subaru is built to go the distance—whether it’s a Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, or Legacy—but only if its battery is up to the task. Driving regularly (at least 3,000 to 5,000 miles per year) and performing routine checks can keep you confidently on the road with fewer interruptions.
At McDaniels Subaru, our certified technicians are here to help with free battery inspections, help when you need a replacement, and recommendations on battery maintainers for vehicles that aren't driven daily. We’re committed to keeping your Subaru adventure-ready, one charge at a time.
After all, reliability starts with a simple spark—and your Subaru deserves nothing less.
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