No matter where we live, these are difficult and crazy times. If you are like many of us, you have one or more cars that are not getting as much action as they normally do. In many ways, this is great. Less wear and tear, less need for maintenance, hardly consuming any gas… there are many positives from using it less. But, many drivers could be in for a big surprise when it’s time to start their vehicle. A dead battery. We’ve talked to many friends and family who have run into this issue over the last few weeks. So, we thought we’d touch on a few things to keep in mind when it comes to managing your vehicle and its battery during periods of low or no use.
How many days your specific vehicle can sit and still have enough charge in the battery to start varies based on numerous factors, including the battery’s capacity, its condition, the temperature and whether your vehicle has excessive parasitic drains. You likely have a pretty good sense of just how long it can sit idle without issue. If you haven’t already done so, we suggest disconnecting any non-critical electronics that could place a drain on your system, particularly any devices that are spliced directly into your electrical wiring. These devices might not cause issues when your vehicle is sitting for 2-3 days, but could present a problem when your vehicle is idle for 10-14 days or more.
Also, as one commenter pointed out, the video skipped the step of thoroughly cleaning the entire top of the battery case. This is really important, since debris (such as salt-containing particles) or liquid on the top surface of the battery could create a conductive path that causes your battery to drain much more quickly than if it were clean. Also, check to make sure your battery connections are tight and that you do not have any micro (or larger) cracks in your battery case, which are clear indicators of a compromised battery.
Above, we recommended the use of a battery charger or maintainer to keep your battery at full charge during periods of low use. For some, such an option isn’t feasible. Whether you park on the street, in a lot or in a large parking garage, it is very possible you do not have access to an AC outlet. In these situations, a jump starter can be very handy. As many of our customers have pointed out in stories on this blog, owning a jump starter allows them to quickly overcome a dead battery and avoid the time and hassle of waiting for a roadside assistance crew to become available or the difficulty of asking a stranger if you can use their vehicle as a boosting “host.” A jump starter can seem daunting for those who have never used one, but, after a few times, even those who are not mechanically inclined can achieve “old pro” status. Here’s a quick video of the proper jump starting sequence.
We also have a great primer available with tips on things to remember for long jump starter life.
The current environment has changed our habits and routines in ways expected and unexpected. Based on conversations we have had with several aggravated vehicle owners over the last several weeks, one unexpected area of difficulty is unresponsive vehicles suffering from a lack of activity. There are many ways to improve this situation through preventive maintenance and the use of tools designed to avoid or overcome experiencing a dead battery. We hope that this article is useful and that it helps eliminate one area of hassle in your busy life. Have you had a vehicle issue due to reduced usage patterns? We’d love to hear about it. Please drop a note in the comments.