How to Restore a Car Battery That Hasn't Been Used for a Long Time?
2 Answers
Long-term unused car battery restoration method is: 1. Pry open the battery cover plate, there are 6 small holes covered with rubber caps, remove the rubber caps along with the surrounding white absorbent cotton; 2. Use a syringe to add about 25ml of replenishment liquid to each small hole; 3. Wipe off any leaked liquid around, restore the caps and absorbent cotton; 4. Use a battery charger to fully charge the battery. Precautions for car battery discharge: 1. Turn off all electrical equipment before parking; 2. Turn off the lights after turning off the engine; 3. Avoid frequent short-distance driving; 4. Do not let the battery run out of power; 5. Regularly check the battery voltage.
I've also encountered a similar situation where the car was parked for almost half a year, and the battery was completely dead. The recovery steps are to first ensure safety by wearing gloves and goggles and finding a well-ventilated area, as the battery may have acid gas leakage. Then inspect the battery's exterior for any obvious damage or liquid leaks. If there are refillable ports, check that the electrolyte level is appropriate; if not, proceed directly with a slow charger. When charging, select the slow-charging mode to avoid damaging the battery with fast charging—typically charge for about 12 hours. Afterward, use a voltmeter to test; if the voltage recovers to above 12.6 volts, try starting the car to see if it works. If not, it may indicate the formation of sulfation crystals, making recovery difficult, and it's advisable to replace the battery. Remember, when the car is unused for long periods, charging the battery every one or two months or removing it for storage is safer and can significantly extend its lifespan.
