How long can you run a car battery

Q: How long can you leave your car battery running for?

As noted above, youre probably safe for four weeks to two months; however, it can depend. But what if you come back from a month-long getaway or havent moved your car for weeks and your car wont start? It could be a dead battery or alternator.

How to Keep a Car Battery Charged When Not in Use

The best way to protect your battery is by driving your vehicle regularly. You can also take other actions to keep it charged when not in use. These include:

Disengage the Security System - If your vehicle is parked in a safe location, you can disable your vehicle's security system. Leaving the security system on will drain the battery more quickly.
Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable - The negative battery terminal is located on top of battery. By disabling thus cable, it will help prevent battery drain. Carefully loosen the negative connector by turning it counterclockwise. Once it's loose, disconnect the negative connector by pulling it off and setting it aside from the battery.
Remove the Battery Entirely - If your vehicle will be left undriven for a long period, it is best to remove the battery entirely. Be sure to keep your battery in a dry, well-ventilated area with a steady temperature between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery will drain at a slower rate naturally when it is removed, so you will need to charge it when you replace it.

Car batteries will typically last 4 to 5 years or longer on average, given typical driving distances and climate control usage. When your battery is worn out, recycle it to reduce the resources needed for producing new batteries. If you’ve noticed your battery is on its way out, get a new, quality battery so you can get where you need to go reliably.

Jul 12, 2021

Did you know? A lack of regular use in any vehicle can lead to problems. But, how long can a car sit before the battery dies?

Today, we turn to our team of certified auto mechanics to answer this age-old question, to discuss how to prevent it from dying, as well as signs it may be time to replace your battery altogether.

How Long Can a Car Sit Before the Battery Dies?

The battery in your car can die within as little as two weeks when unused. But why does this happen?

While our cars are more technologically advanced than ever, this comes at a cost. Due to the various gadgets and computer technology manufacturers include in our vehicles, the newest models coming off the line are always on, continually monitoring the car’s systems around the clock. Where does the power come from to do this? Your car’s battery. When the car isn’t regularly being used, the battery doesn’t have a chance to recharge, leading to a dead battery.

How Can You Prevent Your Car Battery from Dying?

The easiest thing you can do to prevent your car battery from dying is to start your car once a week and letting it run anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. You can even take it for a drive around the block, which should provide just enough power to recharge the battery and keep it alive for another week or so.

If you know you won’t be using your car for a while or won’t be able to recharge it weekly, it may be best to disconnect it completely from the vehicle. When stored properly out of the car in a secure place, a detached car battery has the chance to last up to six months. Just like any other car battery, it will need charging, but not as often as if it were attached. Giving the battery a charge around every 12 weeks is a good rule of thumb.

Your Local Battery Service & Replacement Professionals

If you’re searching for battery services for your vehicle, our team can help. Regardless of the make, model, or type of vehicle you have, our team is certified and fully trained in delivering just about any battery service you need. Whether you’re dealing with corroded terminals or a dead unit, you can rely on our local auto mechanics to inspect your battery and provide you with the necessary service or replacement!

Need your battery replaced? Locate your nearest Christian Brothers Automotive shop today to schedule your service from our team of professionals!

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How long can you leave your car battery running for?

As noted above, you're probably safe for four weeks to two months; however, it can depend. But what if you come back from a month-long getaway or haven't moved your car for weeks and your car won't start? It could be a dead battery or alternator.

Is it bad to keep car battery running?

"So, if the vehicle is left for long periods, this can put unneeded stress on that system." If you're not going to be driving that often, just idling the car will do your battery more harm than good, Brown-Harrison says.