Wondering Why Does Car Battery Drain When Not In Use? If yes, read this article to understand the cause behind it.
Car batteries are the heart and soul of your car. Being stranded due to a dead battery is the last thing you want to happen. Knowledge about your car’s battery and electrical system is essential. The more you know your battery and electrical system, the less likely you will get in trouble.
The electricity required to power every electrical component in your car, like the touch screens you use to hear your favorite music, comes from the car battery. That’s some serious accountability. You’ll be devoid of music if the car battery fails. Also, you’ve probably observed that your automobile won’t start without a battery.
The batteries have a self-charged rate even though they aren’t connected to vehicles. The discharge process can happen significantly even when the vehicle is not moving.
Some professional mechanics believe that the battery in your car can die within two weeks or two months of being unused/ without driving. Though It might depend on various factors like:
How old is the battery?
Does the car have a lot of current draws while it is turned off?
How Long Can A Car Battery Sit Unused?
The cars that we use today are more technologically advanced, unlike before. Like everything has its advantages and disadvantages, the same theory applies here.
Car batteries provide electricity. More technologically advanced cars have features that might need electricity to work. Some of these features stay on even though the car is sitting idle. If the battery dies, every such high-tech feature would be of no use at all.
These high-tech features are designed as a round-the-clock system where it continuously monitors the vehicle. When left unused, the battery in your automobile could expire in as little as two weeks. The battery doesn’t get a chance to recharge when the car isn’t used frequently, which can be a reason why does car battery drain when not in use.
A lot can depend on what conditions your car’s battery is in. The car batteries typically lose 1% daily if they are sitting idle. Another factor is the temperature. The colder the temperature, the less power the battery can generate. It is especially noticeable when one approaches freezing temperature. We know that during winter, the engine freezes, and it takes time to start the vehicle. If it’s not driven for a long time during cold temperatures, the car takes some time to heat up, and then it starts.
The time a car’s battery can be left unused also depends on the vehicle and the state it is left in. Some can be left for weeks and others for a couple of days. But if your car drains the battery overnight, it must be checked or replaced. There can be multiple reasons for something like this to happen.
What To Do If Car Battery Drain When Not In Use
It would help if you got it checked by a professional mechanic shop that offers the car battery replacement service. They will change or charge the batteries as per the vehicle’s requirements. Getting a new battery has a lot of additional advantages. It reduces further maintenance costs and helps in fast charging. The car battery will have a longer life span and a low discharge rate if maintained well.
One should always choose a quality battery that matches the standard of one’s car. Various car repair shops provide auto battery services.
Can A Car Battery Drain If Not Used?
When a battery is not in use, it will discharge. Since modern cars have electronics that are always on, their batteries discharge faster than their natural self-discharge rate. Some batteries drain slower than others (depending on the vehicle type).
Lead acid batteries that can start cars hold a significant charge for over a year. The lead acid batteries are subject to a gradual decline in voltage due to internal losses even though it is not connected to a load. The declining voltage eventually ruins the battery and drains it completely.
You must be aware that if you left your car without using or driving it for 2-3 months, it is highly problematic. The entire car battery may drain. Most devices use very little power to hold memory, even when off.
If we talk about electric cars, they face similar problems. Still, it is explained differently depending on the battery used for electric cars—all batteries self-discharge, which is very normal. Modern electric cars have multiple accessories that can run the battery down even faster; in some cases, it runs down faster than usual. When such cars are not regularly used due to the gadgets and computer technology installed in these vehicles, the battery does not get a chance to recharge, which leads to a dead battery.
If you accidentally leave your car lights on, you’ll find your car batteries dead the next day. This is called a “Parasitic drain.” A parasitic drain is used for an electrical component that consumes electricity when the vehicle has been shut down. For example, when your car is switched off, the car battery is powering the dashboard clock or radio. If the battery is connected to your car, then it will drain even fast because your car can suck power even when it’s parked.
Are Car Batteries Covered Under Warranty?
We should first understand that a car’s warranty differs from a car’s battery warranty. You will receive a car warranty card from the car manual when you purchase the car, but the battery warranty comes for only a year or a maximum of 24 months. Some warranties even have a 5-year cover under your car’s insurance policy. You can also purchase a car warranty separately. There are various types of car battery warranties like:
1. Pro-Rata warranty:
In the pro-rata warranty, they do not give you a battery replacement; instead, you get a discount on the MRP of the battery if it malfunctions.
2. Free replacement warranty:
In this warranty, one’s battery can be replaced for free in case of any malfunction; however, every company has different conditions to define damage.
3. Composite warranty:
Composite warranty combines free replacement and a Pro-Rata warranty. You can have 12 months of free replacement, followed by a pro-rata warranty of 13 months.
If you want to claim the car battery warranty when it gets damaged but are facing problems with it, you should purchase a warranty by registering with the company. This process is usually online and straightforward to understand as well.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind about a car battery warranty. If your battery malfunctions during the warranty period, then you should go to an authorized mechanic or a car battery service station where they can help you find the problem. You can also contact a trusted authorized battery dealer and inform them about the dead battery. They will ask for your claim, and once the dealers receive the confirmation, they will help you select an appropriate battery for your car.
All car insurance companies have different terms to which we must agree to claim the warranty. The warranty period for a car battery starts at the date of actual purchase by the customer.
For example, if you have purchased an old remodeled car, check its warranty if you replace its battery within the warranty period. In that case, the warranty for the new battery will commence not from the day of purchase but from the day the you purchase replacement battery.
Conclusion
We hope you liked this blog and now know why does car battery drain when not in use.
Just like humans need a good diet to be healthy and fit, regular car battery service is vital for your car’s health. The battery in your automobile is crucial because it keeps your car running and makes sure your anti-theft system is functioning properly, both of which help control electronic fuel injection. The cars need a good battery service to have a healthy system and run properly, keeping your family safe on the road.
We all know that a car’s battery drains when it’s constantly in use. But what most drivers don’t understand is why car battery drains when not being used. Well, the other parts in our car are constantly working even when the vehicle is not in use. So, even if it’s unused, the battery might drain off.
Your car battery is one of the essential parts that help the car function. Without the batteries, the car won’t work. It’s like the heart of the car. It helps your car engine start when you turn the key in the ignition. It is also essential to take your car to a car battery repair shop to keep an inspection on the batteries.
This can help detect any damage before it becomes a complete battery leak, saving lots of money and time in the future. Always protect your car batteries just like you take care of yourself because only when you keep your batteries safe will the car keep you safe.
