Should the car battery be removed if the car is not driven for a long time?
3 Answers
If a car is not driven for a long time, the battery should be removed because the battery will slowly discharge even when the car is not in use. After about 3 months, the battery will be completely discharged, making it impossible to start the car when you need to drive it again, and it may even severely damage the battery's lifespan. If you choose not to remove the battery, you can start the car once a week to ensure the battery maintains sufficient charge. Precautions for charging a car battery: 1. Always connect the charger directly to the battery to avoid removing it, as this may cause data loss; 2. If the battery voltage drops below 10% of the rated voltage, it may lead to a dead battery; 3. Avoid exposing the battery to water during charging.
This is a common issue, and I'd like to share my perspective. If a sedan is left unused for an extended period, the battery can indeed drain or even get damaged, primarily because the vehicle's internal systems continue to draw a small amount of current. Leaving it parked for months can completely drain the battery. I recommend disconnecting the negative terminal cable of the battery to cut off the entire circuit and prevent power leakage. The process is straightforward: open the hood, use a wrench to loosen the negative terminal bolt, and move the cable aside. However, be aware that some car models may require resetting the clock or radio settings after disconnecting the battery, which can be a bit annoying. A better solution is to purchase an inexpensive battery maintainer to keep it on a slow trickle charge, maintaining the battery's charge level. This not only extends the battery's lifespan but also saves you the cost of a replacement. Starting the engine and driving a short distance periodically can provide temporary relief, but it's not a stable solution. Overall, disconnecting the battery and storing it in a cool, indoor location is a cost-effective choice.
As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I'll share my personal experience. Last year, my car sat idle in the garage for six months, and the battery died completely. I had to spend 500 yuan on a new one, which was heartbreaking. Since then, I always disconnect the battery when leaving the car unused for long periods. The method is quite simple: pop the hood, loosen the negative terminal screw, and remove the cable. When the car sits idle, small devices like the anti-theft system slowly drain the battery, which can be depleted in just one month. After disconnecting, store the battery in your home storage room and reinstall it when needed. If storing for too long, use a charger to recharge it every two months. This is much cheaper than replacing the battery and not troublesome at all. Remember, don't be lazy—this habit can extend your battery's lifespan by several years.
