Are you wondering how long does a car battery last without driving? If you do then read the text below to find a lot of useful information. Batteries are essential components of every vehicle. The primary function of a car battery is to convert chemical energy into electrical energy when the vehicle is started. The battery ensures that your vehicle’s energy system is long-lasting. It’s also used to power automotive accessories like radios, clocks, and alarm systems, as well as lighting. So, how long will a car battery last if you don’t drive it? This is one of the most often asked questions concerning automobiles.
How Long Does A Car Battery Last Without Driving At All
We don’t drive our cars all of the time. For various reasons, we may leave them unused for some time. Even while the vehicle is not in use, radios, clocks, and other accessories drain the battery. These are some of the things that can cause your vehicle to die if you don’t take care of it.
When the engine is turned off, how long does a battery last depending on how it is kept, how old it is, and how it is used? As a result, you must exercise extreme caution to avoid damaging the battery. Let’s talk about how long the battery should be left unused and how to keep it from getting damaged when it’s not in use.
How Long Will A Car Battery Last If You Don’t Drive It
When you’re planning a vacation or a business trip, one of the first things that come to mind is the safety of your vehicle. Of course, you want your car battery to last as long as possible so you don’t have to buy a new one when you return from your vacation.
Car Batteries That Are Brand New
A fully charged automotive battery can last for up to two weeks before needing to be recharged using a generator. After two to three months, this battery will be completely discharged. You will be unable to start the car engine if the battery is left uncharged for approximately two and a half months.
The devices that operate in the vehicle when it is not driving determine how long a fresh car battery will last. Radio systems, headlamps, and alarm systems are examples of these gadgets. This is because these devices require power even when the automobile is turned off, which they obtain from the vehicle battery.
When It Is Turned Off
You may be wondering how long a car battery will last if it is disconnected. When you keep drawing power from a lead-acid battery after it has been discharged, it dies. The length of time your battery lasts depends on how well you preserve it after disconnecting it.
After disconnecting your battery from the vehicle, the temperature at which you store it is critical. When you put the battery in a cold environment, it tends to discharge considerably faster than when you put it in a warm one. A discharged battery will fail if it is left in low temperatures for an extended period.
This is due to a large decrease in the density of the electrolyte inside the car battery. When a vehicle battery is stored at the proper temperature, it will crystallize and eventually destroy the battery plates. When a car battery is stored at the proper temperature, it will last for a longer period, depending on its capacity. The inherent current leakage of a car battery is 10mAh.
Drain Causes
There are items in modern vehicles that drain your vehicle’s power without you even realizing it. Parasitic drains are what they’re called. Vehicles with a lot of electronics and computers will only last around four weeks before the battery dies. This is because they will receive electricity from the automobile battery even when it is turned off.
This is why, even while the automobile is parked, the batteries lose charge. It’s tough to anticipate how long a battery will last. It will be determined by the climate as well as the battery’s age.
According to BMW (check the BMW category), a car battery should be left in place for four weeks before being removed. The battery might last anywhere from six weeks to six months after it is removed. However, the battery must be recharged regularly. When the battery is detached, it should be recharged every 12 weeks at the very least.
How To Save Your Car Battery When You’re Not Driving: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can either retain the car battery in the vehicle or store it separately while the vehicle is not in use. Remember how we said that car batteries in vehicles discharge owing to the operation of other devices? As a result, here’s how to prevent a car battery from dying when it’s not in use:
When The Vehicle’s Device Is Installed
If you are not leaving the vehicle for an extended period or will be near it, you should not remove the battery. In that scenario, you should maintain glancing at the vehicle now and again. Start the car in neutral gear and around 1000 RPM for 5 to 10 minutes. When the automobile is running, the battery will receive the lost charge in this manner.
The car battery is charged by the engine. When the RPM reaches 1000, the automobile battery begins to recharge. As a result, when you drive your vehicle frequently, you extend the battery’s life. This will use some fuel, but it will be well worth it in case you want to keep safe the battery of the car.
The alternative option is to connect the battery to a battery maintainer. This will frequently add electricity to the battery to keep it from draining. When using a battery maintainer, you must have access to AC power near the car.
This is battery power with low power, which frequently checks the battery’s voltage and tops it up if necessary. The key benefit of a battery maintainer is that it does not overload the car battery, unlike ordinary batteries. To prevent the battery from rapidly depleting, it’s also a good idea to disconnect the vehicle’s accessories like radios, alarms, and clocks.
After It Has Been Removed
If you’re going to be gone for an extended amount of time, the easiest approach to keep the battery safe is to take it out of the vehicle. Disconnecting it isn’t enough because it self-discharges, but if you keep it properly, you’ll avoid having to buy a new battery when you return. To store an automobile battery, follow these steps:
- Remove the vehicle’s battery and keep it out of the reach of youngsters and dogs. When determining where to store the battery, be sure it is out of reach of children.
- Look for a location where you influence the environment. The battery should not be kept in a cold or hot environment. The battery is negatively affected by the two extreme temperatures.
- Pay close attention to the terminals. Check the battery terminals carefully because they will determine how you store the battery.
- Make sure the battery isn’t exposed to dampness. The simplest approach to do this is to place a moisture-resistant pad under the battery and cover it with a piece of plastic. Then, to prevent leaking and rust, clean it with baking soda.
- Make sure the battery is fully charged. That’s not all there is to it once you’ve stashed the battery. You must consider how to maintain the vehicle’s battery charged when it is not in use. Then you must maintain the car’s battery charged. You can recharge it every 12 weeks if you’ve positioned it properly.
We hope that you find all of the necessary answers to all of your questions!
