How Long Does a Car Starter Last?

Mazda Car starter 

It was over 100 years ago that electric starter motors for vehicles thankfully arrived on the scene. Before the advent of the starter motor, hand-cranking a vehicle's internal combustion engine to get it running was common practice, which just doesn't sound like fun. All is well when things are working until you cannot get your car to start due to a faulty starter motor. Our article examines the humble car starter and answers, "How long does a car starter last?"

What is a Car Starter?

Your car starter, or starter motor, is tasked with rotating your Mazda's engine to initiate the firing up of the engine. Once the engine is fired up and running, the starter motor is no longer engaged, and the engine runs on its own.

How a Car Starter Works

The operation of a car starter motor is quite simple. The relatively small electric starter motor is powerful enough to rotate the engine up to around 200 to 300 rpm, allowing the pistons to compress the air-fuel mixture and ignite it, leading to the engine running. The electric starter motor housing is attached to the bell housing of a vehicle's gearbox assembly, and pushing your start button or turning the ignition key sends a 12-volt electrical current to the starter motor. A solenoid on the starter motor receives this electric signal and relays the high amperage 12-volt current directly from the vehicle's battery to the electric motor.

The starter spins and turns a small pinion gear that engages with the ring gear teeth that run along the circumference of the flywheel. The starter solenoid effectively protects your car from the high amp 12-volt current that would literally fry the electric circuits if it passed through the dashboard ignition switch and starter button. Once the motor starts running, the starter motor should automatically disengage. Mistakenly pressing the start button on your dashboard or turning the ignition key back to the start position once the engine is running will result in some damaging grinding noises to be avoided at all costs.

How Long Does a Car Starter Last?

Wondering "How long does a car starter last?" The quick answer is around 100,000 to 150,000 miles. As with most vehicular mechanical components, there are, however, numerous factors that will influence the longevity of your Mazda's starter motor. Modern Mazdas are synonymous with very high standards of Japanese engineering design, technology, and production quality, along with the use of quality construction materials. Typically, unavoidable mechanical wear and tear over long periods of time, plus the impact of a driver's travel patterns, such as frequent stop-start commuting and environmental factors, will ultimately influence the lifespan of your car's starter motor.

Factors Influencing Car Starter Lifespan

Let's take a closer look at some of the factors that influence how long a car starter lasts.

Driving Habits

The electric starter motor comprises both electrical and mechanical components, and unfortunately, nothing in a modern vehicle is immune to wear and tear over time. Every time your starter is tasked with turning over the engine, the motor's bearings, the starter solenoid, the small teeth on the pinion gear, and the lubricating bushes are all subjected to some small frictional forces or erosions from electrical sparks in the case of the electrics. It makes sense then that the more times your starter motor is called to duty, the sooner the starter will meet its demise.

Environmental Conditions

The environmental conditions in which a vehicle spends the majority of its life will also greatly affect how long a car starter lasts. Extreme cold weather conditions not only make life unpleasant for us but also for your Mazda. Subzero temperatures cause damage to vehicles' cooling systems and electric systems and greatly affect the ability of an engine to fire up.

Engine oil of the incorrect grade for the weather conditions will cause extremely slow cranking, placing additional strain on the car starter, along with reduced cranking amperage from the 12-volt battery due to the freezing temperatures.

Hot conditions are not that friendly either when it comes to car components. The starter motor can experience increased resistance in electrical components and potential heat soak by overheating, resulting in difficulty starting the car or even premature starter motor failure.

Vehicle Maintenance

Regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance, particularly of the electrical system and battery, goes a long way to improve how long a car starter lasts. The starter's ability to crank the engine over efficiently is aided by a well-maintained engine that receives new spark plugs as per its maintenance schedule, plus new air, oil, and fuel filters that all contribute to an engine that runs well and does not significantly impact the lifespan and performance of your car's starter motor.

Signs of a Failing Car Starter

These tell-tale signs of a failing car starter are easily spotted, saving you the hassle of being stuck with a car that doesn't start while out and about.

Clicking Noise

A clicking sound is heard when trying to start the motor, indicating the starter solenoid is engaging, but the starter motor itself isn't spinning.

Engine Does Not Crank

If the engine cranks slowly or not at all, despite the battery being fully charged, then it's time to have it checked out.

Intermittent Issues

Your Mazda starting sometimes and not at other times points to a failing starter motor, which should be investigated as soon as possible.

What to Do If Your Starter Fails

A failed starter will effectively leave you stranded if your vehicle features an auto transmission. A manual transmission will still allow you to 'bump' and start the car with the help of some volunteers to push and get you on your way. Either way, it's best to get your vehicle towed or transported to your nearest Mazda dealer for repair.

Tips to Extend How Long Your Car Starter Lasts

Some useful tips to extend how long your car starter lasts include making sure to adhere to your Mazda's maintenance schedule, keeping all electrical connections clean and secure, giving good care to your car battery, and avoiding long periods of inactivity.

Get Car Starter Service at Central Mazda

Uncertain how long your car starter is going to last? Get your Mazda car starter serviced at Central Mazda, located in Plainfield, CT, where the service team members are Mazda professionals who know what's best for your Mazda vehicle. Owners are assured that their Mazda vehicles will always perform at their best with Genuine Mazda Parts and Value Products by Mazda.