How Long Can a Car Battery Last Without Starting the Engine?
2 Answers
The car battery can generally maintain a safe standby duration of about half a month, provided it is of good quality and has no performance degradation. Below is an introduction to the lifespan of car batteries: 1. If listening to music in the car, the battery can last around 6 hours. Similarly, if the headlights are turned on while the engine is off, the battery can also last approximately 6 hours. Therefore, be cautious not to over-discharge the battery, as it may cause trouble. Typically, car batteries are either lead-acid batteries or maintenance-free batteries. Lead-acid batteries are made of lead and lead oxide, with sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. Maintenance-free batteries have structural advantages, consume less electrolyte, and do not require distilled water replenishment during use. Their lifespan is about twice that of lead-acid batteries. 2. During daily use, it is necessary to charge the car battery regularly to keep it in a relatively stable state, effectively extending its service life.
I previously encountered a situation where my car wouldn't start after sitting idle for too long, so I specifically researched battery issues. A new car can last about a month, while an older car might not even make it two weeks. It really depends on the battery's age—batteries that are three or four years old discharge particularly quickly. Devices connected to the car also drain power; for example, dash cams running 24/7 can deplete the battery in just three to five days. Winter is the most troublesome, as battery capacity drops by 30% when temperatures fall below freezing. My advice is to turn off headlights and air conditioning after shutting off the engine. For long-term parking, it's best to start the car for 20 minutes each week to recharge the battery, or simply disconnect the negative terminal.
