Does the car charge the battery when starting in place?
2 Answers
When starting the car in place, the battery is charged. The maintenance methods for the vehicle battery are as follows: 1. Charge the battery promptly when the ammeter indicates insufficient power; 2. Adjust the density of the electrolyte according to the standards for different regions and seasons; 3. Add distilled water or a special replenishing solution when the electrolyte is low; 4. The total duration of each engine start should not exceed 5 seconds; 5. If the battery is not used for a long time, start the car periodically; 6. Regularly check if the small holes on the battery cover are ventilated; 7. Check for oxidation on the positive and negative terminals of the battery; 8. Inspect all parts of the circuit for signs of aging or short circuits.
I've driven many cars before and have quite some experience with battery charging. When idling the engine in place, the alternator does generate electricity to charge the battery, but the efficiency is low due to the low RPM resulting in minimal power generation. For instance, in cold weather when the battery tends to lose charge, I once tried idling for half an hour, only to find the battery voltage rising very slowly—it was much less effective than taking a short drive to recharge. Doing this long-term also wastes fuel, increases emissions, and can shorten the engine's lifespan. I recommend not relying on idling to charge the battery; instead, driving regularly for 10-20 minutes or using a dedicated charger is far more reliable for maintaining battery health and longevity. If the car is frequently left unused, disconnecting the negative terminal can prevent power drain.
