Long gone are the days when you need to find a socket before getting into your car. Now, many of the daily needs for drivers can be met without even getting in the seat – and that includes finding out how long your car battery will last without driving! If you don’t want to get stuck on a route or parking garage because your battery died, check out this article and find out what kind of life span your car battery has when it’s not being used.
How long will my car battery last without driving the vehicle
A car battery will last anywhere from 3-5 years without driving.
The amount of time a car battery will last is mainly based on the type of battery, how frequently the car is driven and how well the car is maintained.
What Happens to a Car Battery While it’s Not in Use?
A car battery lasts anywhere from three to five years without being used, but the life of a battery starts to diminish the minute you start the car. The following are things that will happen to your battery while it’s not in use:
1) The plates that make up the battery will become less active over time and will need to be replaced.
2) The electrolyte in the battery will become dry and oxidized, which can lead to a loss of power and an inability to start the engine.
3) The lead and acid inside the battery will corrode, which will also cause a loss of power and an inability to start the engine.
4) The cables that connect the battery to the various components of the car will wear down, which can cause problems with starting or charging.
5) The car’s electrical system may not be able to handle a weak or failing battery, which can lead to problems such as poor fuel economy or even a failure in the car’s electrical system.
6) If the battery is heavily damaged, it may need to be replaced altogether. Another option is to replace the entire electrical system, which can be expensive and time-consuming. If a battery is severely damaged and needs to be replaced, it’s best to have a professional mechanic do the work.
How often should I start my car if I’m not driving?
If you’re not driving, you should start your car at least once a month. This will help keep your car’s battery healthy and improve its overall performance.
What should I do if my battery is flat?
If your battery is flat, the first thing to check is whether the flat is due to a short in the system or a complete battery failure. A short will require you to take the car into a mechanic, while a complete battery failure will require that you replace the battery. If you think the problem may be due to a short, try using a voltmeter to test for voltage at various points in the electrical system. If there is no voltage at any of these points, then you may have a short. If you think the problem may be due to a complete battery failure, then you’ll need to replace the battery.
Car Battery Maintenance Tips
If you’re like most drivers, you probably don’t give your car’s battery much thought. But if your battery starts to lose its charge, it can cause some serious problems. Here are some tips for keeping your battery in good shape.
1. Charge your battery regularly. A fully charged battery will last longer than a battery that’s low on juice. Try to do a full charge every two or three weeks.
2. Keep your car clean. Polluting the air with particles from your car will reduce the amount of energy the engine can access and will also drag down the performance of your battery. Wash your car regularly and avoid using harsh detergents or waxes.
3. Don’t Over-discharge your battery. Over-discharging can kill your battery and damage your car’s electrical system. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how long you should leave your car turned off after using it.
4. Keep a spare battery on hand just in case something happens to the one in your car. This may include having to jumpstart it, running out of power while driving, or getting stranded on the side of the road.
5. Don’t put your battery on a ‘trickle charger’. A trickle charger only charges the battery at a slow rate. It won’t fully restore its power and will slowly drain your battery over time.
6. If you have to run your car for extended periods of time, or use it frequently for a longer period of time than usual, charge the battery overnight. This will help to prevent it from discharging too much and reduce the need for additional charging during the day.
7. Never leave your car’s headlights or taillights on when parking in order to save energy, even if you think that it might be enough light to safely see around inside the vehicle. This also wastes energy due to inefficient lighting systems in vehicles.
How Much Would it cost to replace a car Battery
Replacing a car battery is not a cheap affair. A new battery will set you back anywhere from $100 to $200, depending on the make and model of your car. In fact, in some cases it may be cheaper to purchase a new car altogether. That said, there are certain things you can do to extend the life of your battery and save money over time.
Conclusion
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about your car battery. After all, it runs the lights and the radio and gets you where you need to go. But if your battery starts going bad, it can have some serious consequences. A car battery lasts for around 3-4 years without being driven, but after that point it starts to lose its ability to hold a charge. This means that if your battery is failing, it’s time to get it replaced.
