The operational lifespan of a battery is typically expressed in duty cycles. This same term is used for all sorts of batteries, so it doesn't have a concrete definition across every application. For instance, some batteries are designed to be completely discharged, while others are designed to always have some level of. Lead-acid batteries aren't particularly impressive or efficient at what they do, and they haven't changed a whole lot in the last century and a half or so since they were invented. The basic. Traditional car batteries are sometimes referred to as “starting batteries,” because that is what they are primarily designed to do. Starter motors require a tremendous amount of amperage, and it has to be delivered fast. With that in. Once a car battery has been drained belowa state of full discharge, the damage has been done. All you can do is check the electrolyte and put it. Even though 80 percent of the capacity remains when a car battery dips to around 10.5 volts, the battery is considered to be fully discharged because taking the cycle any deeper will cause.