how long can a car battery sit unused

How Long Can A Car Battery Sit Unused: The Basics Of Car Batteries

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Jeffrey
August 10, 2022
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If you don’t know how long can a car battery sit unused, you won’t know how long it will take to rev the engine before gasoline combustion takes over.

Aside from tire costs, you’ll need to know how long your battery can endure.

Batteries in automobiles have a five-year lifespan on average.

However, severe temperatures, difficulty with charging, and complete discharges can significantly shorten its life duration.

Additionally, we’ll take a look at the most common causes of dwindling battery life and look into solutions to solve them.

How Do Car Batteries Operate?

The lead and acid used in the production of ordinary automobile batteries are the most common.

Car batteries do not store electricity, as is commonly believed.

This is just not true.

Lead-acid batteries are used to store chemical energy, which is then turned into electricity when the battery is needed.

As soon as the engine is started, the alternator kicks in and supplies the battery with power, allowing it to reverse the chemical process and replenish the battery.

Batteries in automobiles perform two functions.

Its primary function is to deliver the tremendous amount of power required to start the engine from a standstill.

Using the second method, you can keep the electronic computer unit running as well as the interior lights and other electrical components such as the remote lock and radio memory after the engine has been turned off.

In an electrical system that is free of problems, the electronics consume just a little amount of power over time, leaving the vast majority available for the task of starting the vehicle.

As long as the engine is running, the battery is not being drawn upon and is being steadily recharged by the alternator.

What Shortens Battery Life?

Even though car batteries are tough and can last for up to five years, there are a few things you can do to drastically shorten their usefulness.

how long can a car battery sit unused

Draining Of The Battery

We’ve probably all been there.

The next morning, we find that we forgot to turn off the headlights or turn off our car’s audio, and we have to start the vehicle all over again.

Car batteries are meant for short bursts of use but will not have enough juice to start the engine if they’re used for hours.

A warning or automatic shutdown system is standard equipment in most new vehicles, but nothing beats developing a pre-exit procedure that includes a visual inspection of the controls.

Seasonal Changes

Hot weather has the potential to shorten the lifespan of batteries because heat is a factor in the chemical process that takes place inside the battery.

The only way to avoid this from happening is to park in a garage or undercover, which is also a smart method to keep your vehicle in good condition as well.

Winter driving with a diesel engine is not something that is commonly discussed, but those who have done so should understand what I’m talking about.

In cold conditions, more power is required to start the engine, putting a greater strain on the battery’s capacity to store electricity.

It is possible to resolve this issue by inserting a more powerful battery.

Take into consideration, however, that the increase in power demand also increases the amount of time it takes for the battery to recharge.

As a result, a series of short travels throughout the winter can have a substantial impact on battery performance.

Alternator That Has Failed

Once the engine is started, the alternator takes over as the primary source of power supply, replacing the battery in the process.

When the alternator fails, not only does the battery’s recharge halt, but it also cuts off all power supplies to the electronic steering, ECU, lighting, and anything else you use often while driving.

If that happens, the battery will take over from the alternator and provide those systems for a short period.

Idleness

Regardless of whether the battery is installed in the vehicle or stored in the garage, it will gradually lose its capacity over time.

While leaving a car idle for weeks or a storage battery dormant for months can decrease the battery’s capacity, this is not an as severe concern as active power losses or a failure to recharge.

Vibrations

Vibrations have a significant impact on the performance of all components of the car, including the battery.

Battery vibration and movement can occur if the captive screws are not properly tightened, which can hurt the battery’s overall durability.

How To Preserve The Life Of Your Battery?

In some ways, a car battery is similar to the batteries found in your phone and laptop, and if you take good care of it, it will last you for a long time with little maintenance.

The first step toward maintaining a healthier battery is to ensure that all power consumers are turned off before leaving the car.

This includes the radio, interior lights, and, most significantly, the headlights, among other things.

Although not everyone has the financial wherewithal to own a carport, even a small amount of shade provided by a tree or a building can make a significant impact on searing hot days.

A running engine is equivalent to leaving the phone plugged into a power outlet in terms of how much power it draws from your battery.

Similarly, you would not want to charge your phone for a 10% increase in battery life, so try not to do it to your car battery as well.

Include a few longer routes in between all of the short supermarket excursions and work commutes to ensure that the battery receives a full charge and that its lifespan is extended.

This strategy should be seen as more of a guideline than a rule because charging the battery to its maximum capacity every time will cost you more fuel than purchasing a new battery.

Which Type of Battery Should I Get?

Because all battery manufacturers produce batteries with a wide range of power ratings, this article is intended to assist you in finding the optimum battery for your needs.

Ampere-Hour Rating

The electrical potential of the battery is determined by the ampere-hour.

Every automobile manufacturer has a minimum ampere-hour rating requirement that is based on the size and type of the engine.

In chilly climates, it is advisable to go over the prescribed rating; otherwise, there will be no major benefits.

Battery Dimensions

Because the size of the battery increases in direct proportion to the amount of power it produces, staying within the power rating set by the car manufacturer is a safe bet.

If you want to upgrade to a more powerful battery, be sure it will fit in the battery slot by measuring it.

Cold Crank Rating

The cold crank rating, often known as the CCA, is another type of power measurement that scales with the ampere-hour rating.

The CCA rating is not important if your car is driven by a petrol engine; however, it is important to look for this number when purchasing a car battery for a diesel-powered vehicle.

Diesel engines require more powerful batteries than gasoline engines, and lower-cost batteries may not have enough cranking capacity (CCA) to efficiently crank the engine.

Terminals And The Polarity

Using the terminals on the battery, it is possible to connect it to the car with the help of a battery cable.

The cylindrical knob is the most frequent form of terminal shape, however, there are several additional options.

Additionally, the terminals are positioned in such a way that polarity cannot be switched.

This means that your new battery must have the proper polarity to function properly.

To determine which battery is left and which is right, check the positive and negative polarity of the current battery.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a battery, look at the wires — the red wire indicates positive polarity, whereas the black wire indicates negative polarity.

Symptoms That A Battery Is About To Fail

A Sluggish Start

When you turn the key in the ignition, the engine will whine, which indicates a problem with the battery.

It is possible that the battery is not providing enough power to the starter to crank the engine, and you can hear the sluggish cycles that occur before the engine begins to burn fuel.

Clicking And Squeaking Noise

If you flip the key and nothing happens except for a clicking noise, this indicates that the battery has been completely depleted.

You may encounter other issues such as an unresponsive remote lock and the complete absence of power when the ignition is turned to the on position.

Symptoms Of Battery Issues

Problems with the power source are not usually the result of a malfunctioning battery.

The most prevalent reasons for a depleted battery are discussed in this section, as well as the symptoms that can occur as a result of them.

Dimming Headlights

Headlights are one of the most energy-intensive components of a vehicle, and when they begin to dim, it indicates that they are drawing power from the car battery rather than from the alternator.

The most common signs of alternator failure include dimming or failing headlights, distorted radio sounds, and malfunctioning instrument gauges and displays.

Current Drain

What happens if you’ve tested everything and the battery is still unable to start the engine?

There is a good chance that the current drain is to blame — something in the system is drawing an excessive amount of power even when the system is turned on.

The most typical reason for this is a faulty stereo, which many personally witnessed countless times.

The battery of the car would be completely depleted by the time you got to it because of a malfunctioning brake lights switch that would randomly turn on the brake lights during the night.

By the time you arrived at your car, the battery would be completely depleted and the brake lights switched off.

Take each possible cause one at a time and eliminate them – turn off all interior lights, remove the aftermarket radio, manually lock the car to prevent activating the anti-theft system, and keep an eye on it frequently.

Batteries With Loose Cables

The battery is connected to the car via battery wires.

Even if the automobile starts with a loose connection, the battery will be drained since the battery cannot get a consistent source of recharge power.

What Are The Best Ways To Recharge A Drained Battery?

The fact that your car’s battery has been completely depleted isn’t the end of the world.

Car batteries may inevitably drain a few times during their use, but this will not have a substantial impact on their overall lifespan.

You have two options for recharging the battery: jump-starting it or using a battery charger.

Both strategies have advantages and disadvantages, so let’s have a look at how they differ from one another.

Jump-Start

When you’re parked at work, the grocery store, or anywhere else other than your home, jump-starting your automobile is the most effective technique for getting it back on the road.

A set of jumper cables should always be kept in the trunk of your car; they are inexpensive and will pay for themselves after a single-use.

Politely, request that another motorist lend you a hand for a few minutes of their time.

Arrange the two vehicles so that the batteries are as near together as possible.

Maintain the operation of the other vehicle, and then connect the red cable to the positive (+) terminals of both batteries, and the black cable to the negative (–) terminals of the same batteries.

how long can a car battery sit unused

While in neutral, the other driver should slightly increase their RPM, and after a minute, you should try to start the engine.

Please do not switch off your vehicle if you are successful!

Keep it running, unplug the cords, and express gratitude to the other driver.

To give the battery enough time to recharge after jump-starting, it is recommended to drive for approximately 30 minutes after doing so.

The Car Battery Booster Pack is a more expensive, but more handy, alternative to jumper wires than the jumper cables themselves.

The vehicle serves as a substitute for the other vehicle, allowing you to recharge the battery on your own, which is particularly useful in remote areas.

Battery Charger

A battery charger, as opposed to jumper cables or booster packs, provides a full charge to the battery.

This is the most significant advantage.

With an extension cord, you may charge it directly, or you can remove the battery and charge it inside your home.

The downside is that it must be hooked into a power outlet.

To prevent any power loss, leave battery chargers plugged in overnight.

It can take several hours to fully recharge a battery.

how long can a car battery sit unused

FAQs

Do you know how long a car battery should last on average?

When properly maintained and using a high-quality brand of car battery, you may expect it to last for up to 5 years.

Is it necessary to replace the battery after a jump start has been performed?

The battery does not need to be replaced following a jump-start if the battery is not the source of any problems with the vehicle.

A fully charged battery can be completely discharged and then recharged to its full functioning capability.

Frequent and repetitive drains are what cause the battery’s power and lifespan to be permanently reduced, so try to resolve any electrical issues you may be experiencing before they cause permanent damage to the battery.

Does driving distance have an impact on the battery life of a car?

The distance traveled does not affect the battery in any way.

When the engine is started, the battery automatically switches to the recharging mode.

Most important is how the mileage is accrued; for example, fewer long-distance excursions are healthier for the battery than a greater number of small commutes.

The most detrimental factors to the battery’s longevity are frequent start-stop circumstances and distances that are too short to allow it to recharge.

Is it necessary for me to drive my car to charge the battery?

To restore a major amount of the battery’s power, you must drive for at least half an hour after stopping.

When there isn’t a wall connection to plug the battery into, the engine serves as a petrol or diesel generator, generating the electric power required to replenish the battery.

What is the maximum amount of time of how long can a car battery sit unused?

Because the electric systems consume extremely little power while not in use, leaving your vehicle parked for a few weeks will not be a problem.

If you don’t intend to use your vehicle at all for a long period, you should at the very least unplug the battery connections from the vehicle.

Summary

A typical automotive battery can last anywhere from two to five years on average.

The battery’s lifespan can be drastically reduced if it is exposed to excessive heat or neglect, and if you let it run down frequently, it may not even last a year.

Before getting out of the car, shut off all the electrical devices and let the battery recharge for at least 30 minutes by driving.

You can extend the life of your battery by following these simple instructions!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey Bryce is an experienced motorcycle rider with years of experience caring for motorcycles. His natural fondness for motorcycles have made him come up with LetsGoForARide.com, which is dedicated to answering and teaching you how to care for your bike with the care it requires. LetsGoForARide is the one of his important lifework in reaching out to communities of motorcycle enthusiasts on how to take care of their bike and choosing the correct spare part.