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How Long Does a Car Battery Last Without Driving?

8/27/2020 10:54:00 AM | (386) View Count | Return
A car’s battery can die for lots of reasons, but lack of use is the one most people are concerned about. Your battery powers your car by converting stored chemical energy into usable energy when you start your car. It’s also responsible for keeping certain functions active even when your car isn’t in use (e.g. your alarm system, clock, and radio).
 
Your alternator keeps your battery charged by acting as a generator while your car is in use. For that reason, you don’t have to worry too much about your battery’s charge as long as you’re driving your car regularly. The problems start when you’re not driving for whatever reason. Here’s what you need to know about your unused car battery, including how long it will last without being activated.
 

How Long Does a Car Battery Last Without Driving?

If you’re dealing with a fully charged battery that’s relatively new and in perfect condition, it will take 2-3 months for it to lose its power completely. However, you’re how long does a car battery last without drivingprobably pushing your luck if you let it sit idle for more than two months. After two and a half months, there’s a good chance that the battery doesn’t contain enough power to start your car.
 
Of course, every car and every battery is different. If your vehicle comes with a lot of bells and whistles that remain functioning even when the car isn’t in use, your battery will lose power more quickly—exactly why accidentally leaving your headlights on is such an issue. Batteries that are older or that have developed issues over the years will lose power more quickly as well.
 

How to Tell When Your Car Battery Is Dying (or Already Dead)

Even the best car battery isn’t going to last forever, whether you’re driving your car often or not. Older batteries begin to develop issues and lose their reliability after 4-5 years, so have yours replaced once every three years to be on the safe side. Also, watch for signs like the following that mean your battery could be going bad or otherwise getting ready to die.
  • Your engine is slow to crank when you start your car.
  • You hear a clicking noise when attempting to start your car.
  • Your headlights seem dimmer than they used to be.
  • Various electrical features on your car aren’t functioning properly (e.g. windshield wipers, power windows, seat controls, or dashboard lights).
Your battery may already be completely dead if you notice any of these signs.
  • Your dashboard warning light is lit.
  • You can’t turn on your radio, wipers, or lights at all, or else they work briefly before dying altogether.
  • Your battery looks swollen, bloated, or fat.
  • You can smell your battery.

Contact the United Tire & Service team

If you’re ever unsure about the health of your current battery or simply want a professional’s take on things before a long road trip or a cross-country move, you can always bring your car to your local United Tire or schedule an appointment online. Our technicians will test the battery for you and help you find a good replacement if necessary. You can further help maintain your battery by performing regular visual checks for integrity issues. Keep it charged by going for a short drive once a week or hooking your battery up to a charger to maintain the charge when your car won’t be in use for long periods. 
 
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