Batteries are vital parts of any automobile. A car battery’s main purpose is to change chemical energy into electrical energy when you start the car ignition. The battery keeps your vehicle’s energy system sustainable.
It also plays a part in lighting and powering car accessories such as radio, clock, and alarm systems. So, how long does a car battery last without driving? This is one of the most common questions people ask about vehicles.
We don’t use our vehicles all the time. Sometimes we will leave them unused for some time for one reason or another.
Vehicles have radios, clocks, and other accessories which drain the battery constantly, even when it is idle. These are some of the factors that make your vehicle die when not in use.
How long a battery last when the engine is off depends which how it is stored, how old it is, and how it is used.
You, therefore, need to take extra caution to avoid the battery from getting damaged. Let us discuss how long the battery should stay unused and guide you on how to prevent the battery from damage when not in use.
Understanding Car Battery Life
A car battery is designed to provide power to the car’s electrical system, including the starter motor, lights, and accessories.
The battery is charged by the car’s alternator while the engine is running. However, when the car is not driven, the battery will slowly discharge due to the natural chemical reactions that occur within the battery.
The life of a car battery is measured in terms of its capacity to hold a charge. A new car battery typically has a capacity of around 100% of its rated capacity.
However, over time, the capacity of the battery will decrease due to the natural aging process and the number of charge/discharge cycles it has undergone.
Factors Affecting Car Battery Life
Several factors can affect the life of a car battery, including:
- Type of battery: There are several types of car batteries available, including maintenance-free batteries, low-maintenance batteries, and deep cycle batteries. Each type of battery has its own unique characteristics and lifespan.
- Age of the battery: The age of the battery is a significant factor in determining its lifespan. A new battery will typically last longer than an old battery.
- Storage conditions: The conditions in which the car is stored can affect the life of the battery. Extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to sunlight can all reduce the lifespan of the battery.
- Depth of discharge: The depth of discharge (DOD) refers to the percentage of the battery’s capacity that is used before it is recharged. A battery that is deeply discharged on a regular basis will have a shorter lifespan than a battery that is only lightly discharged.
How to Calculate the Lifespan of a Car Battery
Calculating the lifespan of a car battery can be a complex task, as it depends on various factors, including the type of battery, the age of the battery, and the storage conditions. However, here is a general guideline to estimate the lifespan of a car battery:
- A new car battery can last for around 5-7 years if it is properly maintained and stored.
- A used car battery can last for around 3-5 years if it is properly maintained and stored.
- A car battery that is deeply discharged on a regular basis can last for around 1-3 years.
How Long Does a Car Battery Last Without Driving?
The length of time a car battery can last without driving depends on various factors, including the type of battery, the age of the battery, and the storage conditions. However, here are some general guidelines:
- A new car battery can last for around 2-3 months without driving if it is properly maintained and stored.
- A used car battery can last for around 1-2 months without driving if it is properly maintained and stored.
- A car battery that is deeply discharged on a regular basis can last for around 1-2 weeks without driving.
| Battery Type | Average Lifespan Without Driving |
|---|---|
| New Car Battery | 2-3 months |
| Used Car Battery | 1-2 months |
| Deep Cycle Battery | 1-2 weeks |
How To Extend The Life Of A Car Battery
There are several ways to extend the life of a car battery, including:
- Proper maintenance: Regularly check the battery terminals and cables for corrosion and clean them as necessary. Also, make sure the battery is properly secured to the car.
- Storage conditions: Store the car in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing the car in extreme temperatures or humid environments.
- Avoid deep discharging: Avoid deeply discharging the battery on a regular basis. Try to keep the battery charged to at least 50% of its capacity.
- Use a battery maintainer: A battery maintainer is a device that can be connected to the battery to keep it charged and maintained. This can be especially useful if you plan to store the car for an extended period.
How to Save Car Battery When Not in Use: Step-by-Step Guide
When the vehicle is not in use, you can either keep the car battery in the vehicle or keep it separately. Remember we said that car batteries in the vehicle discharge due to other devices running. Therefore, how to keep a car battery from dying when not in use:
When the car battery is in the vehicle
If you are not leaving the vehicle for long or you will be around the vehicle, then you would opt not to remove the battery. In that case, you need to keep on staring at the vehicle once in a while.
Start the car for around 5 to 10 minutes at a neutral gear and for about 1000 RPM. This way, the battery will get the lost charge when the car is running. The engine juices up the car battery.
When RPM goes to 1000, the car battery starts to recharge itself. Therefore, when you drive your vehicle frequently, you add the life of a battery. This may consume some fuel, but it is worth it if you want to keep the car battery safe.
The other way is to attach a battery maintainer to the battery. This will add some power to the battery often to prevent it from discharging.
To use this process, you need to have AC power near the vehicle when using a battery maintainer. This is battery power with low power which checks the voltage of the battery often and tops it up if need be.
The main advantage of a battery maintainer is that, unlike traditional batteries, it does not overcharge the car battery. It is also advisable to disconnect the accessories of the vehicle such as radios, alarms, and clocks to prevent the battery from discharging fast.
When the battery is removed
If you are going for a long period, then the best way to keep the battery safe is by removing it from the vehicle.
Disconnecting it is not enough since it naturally self-discharges, but if you store it well, it will save you from buying a new battery when you come back. Follow these steps to store a car battery:
- Remove the battery from the vehicle.
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets. When deciding on where to keep the battery ensures that no child can access or reach the area.
- Look for a Place you can control the environment. The place you keep the battery should not be too cold or too hot. The two extreme temperatures affect the battery negatively.
- Take a good look at the terminals. Check the battery terminals carefully since how you store the battery will depend on them.
- Ensure the battery is protected from moisture. The simplest way to do this is to put a moisture-resistant mat on a piece of plastic under the battery. Then you can clean it using baking soda to prevent leakage and corrosion.
- Keep the battery juiced. Once you have stored the battery, that is not the end of it. You have to lean on how to keep the car battery charged when not in use. You need to keep the car battery juiced. If you have placed it well, you can recharge it after every 12 weeks.
Car Battery Maintenance Tips
Here are some additional car battery maintenance tips to help extend the life of your car battery:
- Check the battery terminals: Regularly check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean them as necessary.
- Check the battery cables: Regularly check the battery cables for damage or wear and replace them as necessary.
- Check the battery water level: If your car battery has removable caps, check the water level regularly and top it off as necessary.
- Avoid overcharging: Avoid overcharging the battery, as this can reduce its lifespan.
- Use a battery tester: Use a battery tester to check the condition of the battery and identify any potential problems.
By following these tips, you can help to extend the life of your car battery and ensure that it continues to function properly.
Car Battery Storage Tips
If you plan to store your car for an extended period, here are some car battery storage tips to help extend the life of your car battery:
- Store the car in a cool, dry place: Avoid storing the car in extreme temperatures or humid environments.
- Disconnect the battery: Disconnect the battery to prevent it from draining.
- Use a battery maintainer: Use a battery maintainer to keep the battery charged and maintained.
- Check the battery regularly: Regularly check the battery to ensure it is not damaged or corroded.
By following these tips, you can help to extend the life of your car battery and ensure that it continues to function properly.
FAQs.
Q: Does the Car Battery Die If Not Driven?
Yes. Car batteries will die even when the vehicle is sitting. This is because car batteries self-discharge naturally. The battery is not only used when the car is in motion.
However, accessories in the vehicle tend to drain the car battery even when it is idle. If your vehicle has several accessories such as a radio, air conditioner, and clock, the battery will self-discharge, which will result in it dying.
Another thing that may cause the battery of an idle car to die is temperature. Very low temperatures will kill a car battery. This is because the temperature causes little amperage to get in the motor. The batteries can also get damaged by extremely high temperatures.
Q: What Can Drain a Car Battery When the Car is off?
There are several accessories in the vehicle that drain the battery when it is off. This is known as a parasitic drain.
The devices that drain car batteries are radio systems, headlamps, air conditioning systems, and alarm systems. The only way to keep these devices from draining the car battery is by disconnecting it from the vehicle or turning off the devices.
Q: How Do I Know When My Car Needs a New Battery?
Various symptoms will show you that your vehicle battery needs to be replaced. When the battery fails to start, it is a result of its malfunctioning, and thus it needs to be replaced.
Also, when the engine of the vehicle keeps on failing, it is a sign that something is wrong with the battery or its terminals.
The other sign is when the car accessories stop working correctly. The radio, wipers, speakers, and lights of the vehicle get their power from the battery.
Therefore, when they stop working normally, it shows that you need to check on the car battery. The other sign is a foul smell like a rotten egg or a disgusting running smell.
That is the smell of sulfuric acid evaporating. This is a sign that a cell is almost dying. Finally, you will hear an annoying clicking sound anytime you turn on the ignition.
If this happens, try to jumpstart. If it fails the second time, then the battery is about to die and needs to be replaced.
Q: How Many Years Do Car Batteries Last?
On average, a car battery can last between two to five years. However, if you take good care of the battery, it can go up to six years. If you live in an area with a cold climate, the battery will last much longer.
Also, if the vehicle is driven daily, the battery lasts much longer. You should also keep the car battery fully charged to keep it longer. When you park the vehicle for a long time without using it, the lifespan of the car battery decreases.
Q: How Much Would it cost to replace a car Battery?
The cost of replacing a battery depends on different things. The price will differ depending on the battery size, battery brand, where it is located, and the costs of installation in your area. The standard sizes of car batteries range from 24 to 75.
The prices of these batteries are between $40 and $90. The price will also differ depending on the brand of the car battery you want to use.
The cheapest brand goes for approximately $50 labor costs also differ from place to place and the type of garage you go to.
Most installation costs range between $50 and $100. However, you can save the cost of installation by learning how to install the battery by yourself.
Final Words
With the above information, you are aware of how long a car battery stays without driving and how to keep it safe.
At times during the winter season, you will not be using your vehicle. In that case, make sure that the car battery is well stored and safe to use after the winter season. Ensure that it is in a warm place and a comfortable environment.
The more your battery stays without being recharged, the more the situation worsens. If you can, run the vehicle regularly.
This will increase the battery’s durability. Before storing the car batteries, always remember to clean them. Also, for safety purposes, check the date your battery was manufactured, do not short the terminals, and never store it near open flames or heaters.