Can a car be started while charging?
2 Answers
Starting a car while charging is not recommended as it may damage the battery. A car battery, also known as a storage battery, works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Typically, the term 'battery' refers to lead-acid batteries, which mainly use lead and its oxides as electrodes and sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. The plates of ordinary batteries are made of lead and lead oxides, with the electrolyte being an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. Dry-charged batteries, fully named dry-charged lead-acid batteries, are characterized by their negative plates having a high capacity for storing electricity, allowing them to retain their charge for up to two years in a completely dry state. Maintenance-free batteries, due to their structural advantages, consume very little electrolyte and generally do not require the addition of distilled water during their service life.
I've been driving for over 20 years and sincerely advise against starting the engine while the car is charging - that's way too risky! Think about this scenario: current is flowing to the battery during charging, and suddenly igniting the engine could cause an instantaneous current surge leading to short circuits or blown fuses. I once saw my neighbor do this - the car wouldn't start, the charger got fried, and repairs cost over a thousand yuan. Even worse, older models might experience short circuits that could start fires, especially in rainy conditions. Some electric vehicles now lock their drive systems during charging, but most fuel-powered cars don't have this protection - it's always better to unplug before starting. It might seem bothersome, but waiting those few minutes can prevent major issues and actually prolong battery life. Remember, safety always comes first - don't take shortcuts that could endanger you. Doing a quick check before driving never hurts.
