Is There Any Issue with a Car Battery Stored for 10 Months?
2 Answers
There is no issue with a car battery stored for 10 months. Generally, the warranty period for car batteries after leaving the factory is 1 year or 20,000 kilometers. Definition of Car Battery: A car battery, also known as a storage battery, is a type of battery that works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. A storage battery is an electrochemical device that stores chemical energy and releases electrical energy when needed. Lead-Acid Battery: The commonly referred to car battery is the lead-acid battery. It is primarily made of lead and its oxides, with a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. Some batteries develop high internal resistance after prolonged use, appearing fully charged quickly but discharging rapidly. Such batteries may show normal no-load voltage when tested with a multimeter. Therefore, it's essential not only to measure the no-load voltage but also to test the discharge current, which can be done using a discharge tester.
Last year, I found a battery that had been in stock for 10 months in my garage. At the time, I thought it was fine and installed it in my car, but it failed to start in winter, almost leaving me stranded on the road. Later, when I took it to a repair shop for inspection, they told me the battery had severe self-discharge, and the electrolyte had dried up, causing a significant drop in capacity. The only solution was to replace it. I learned that leaving a battery in storage without charging for a long time can cause permanent damage, especially if stored in high temperatures or humid environments, which accelerates deterioration. Before purchasing a battery that's been in stock, it's advisable to check the production date. If it's been stored for 10 months, it's best to test whether the voltage is above 12.6V first. For regular storage, it's ideal to charge it monthly or disconnect the negative terminal. These precautions are not worth skipping—safe driving is paramount. Don't make the same costly mistake I did.
