Car batteries are very important parts of cars because they are responsible for keeping the energy of your vehicle’s engine at sustainable levels. The battery of a car converts chemical energy into electrical energy so that the vehicle can get faster ignition when you start it. However, if you don’t start the engine for too long what would happen? This is a very common question asked by many car owners who are worried about their batteries dying because of staying static. Of course, you cannot keep the engine on all the time, but there are certain things you need to know about your car’s battery and how long can it last without turn on the engine.
How Long Will the Battery Last Without Starting the Engine?
There can be many reasons why you may stop driving your car. For example, if you are off for a family vacation or a business trip, your car will be in the garage until you come back. You don’t want to go for expensive BMW 123D seized engine repairs when you come back.
New Batteries
If your car has a new and fully charged battery, your engine can easily go without starting for 2 weeks. It means that you can easily enjoy a break from driving for these 2 weeks that is quite enough of time. New batteries will start discharging after two weeks and will be fully discharged within three months. So, your car’s engine will not start if you let the batteries drain for more than 2 months. If you want a long break from driving, you will still have to keep a check on the battery charging now and then.
Disconnected Batteries
If you are wondering how long a disconnected battery will last, it highly depends on the temperature in which you preserve it. When you continuously pull power from a lead-acid battery even after it has been discharged, it will die. However, your storage method can extend its life. If you preserve the battery at a lower temperature, it will discharge faster.
Why The Battery Drains
A lot of reasons contribute to the draining of car batteries, especially in contemporary cars where batteries drain faster than the older car models. While a standard car battery can last up to 2 months before dying completely, contemporary car batteries cannot be left without turning the engine for 4weeks. This is because of the increased number of computer functions and features. These features keep getting their power to perform even when the engine is turned on. Thus the battery starts to drain. This process is often called a parasitic drain.
How Often Should You Start the Engine
BMW suggests that you should recharge your car’s battery after every twelve weeks. The battery can go for up to 4 weeks without starting the engine if only you have recharged it on time. If you plan on removing the battery, it should last for 6 months once it is charged. Make sure to start the engine once a week for at least 15 minutes so that the battery can last.
