Can You Start the Engine While Charging a Car?
2 Answers
You can start the engine while charging a car, but it is not recommended. Starting the engine won't work immediately, and it's better to charge for a while before attempting to start. This is because the charger's current is relatively small and cannot power the starter motor. When starting the engine, the high current required mainly comes from the battery itself. If the battery is not sufficiently charged, it won't provide enough starting current, making it difficult to start the car. The charger has a current-limiting function to prevent overload and damage when the battery voltage is very low. Before the engine starts, the battery supplies power to all electrical components in the car. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over this role.
From my experience of driving electric vehicles for many years, starting the engine while charging is absolutely not advisable. When an electric vehicle is charging, the system is in a high-voltage state. Starting the system at this time is like opening the door while showering—mixing water and air, causing chaos. The charger is busy inputting energy, and starting the engine can cause current conflicts, easily damaging the battery management system or charging module. Modern car designs include protections that prevent starting during charging, but some users who ignored warnings ended up with error codes, leading to expensive and troublesome repairs. A friend of mine disregarded the warnings and tried it, resulting in constant alarm lights flashing and thousands spent on repairs. It's best to unplug the charger, confirm everything is complete, and then start. Be patient and wait for the charging to finish—safety is more important than anything else. Operating this way not only avoids damaging the equipment but also extends the vehicle's lifespan. After all, the battery is the core, and taking good care of it ensures longer use.
