A car battery uses its alternator to recharge, which requires the vehicle to run on a regular basis to maintain that charge. As lockdowns keep more people at home, many drivers are finding their batteries dead after going days or weeks without driving. Some preventive strategies, from parking in the right spot to getting a battery test, will ensure your vehicle is ready to run whenever you do need it.

How to Keep Your Battery Charged While Parked

1. Choose a Cool Spot

Heat drains a car’s battery more quickly by evaporating the electrolytes in the battery. As a result, leaving it out in the sun or a hot metal carport will shorten its lifespan. If your home has a garage, clear out space inside to park your car. However, if you do not have a garage, find a shaded spot to keep the vehicle out of the sun.

2. Get a Battery Test

Car batteries typically last around three to five years. However, your battery’s lifespan may be on the shorter end of this range if you live in a hot climate or only take short trips, which do not give the battery time to fully recharge. If yours is reaching the end of its lifespan, now is the time to replace it. Schedule a battery test to see how well the unit can hold a charge and replace it if needed.

3. Disconnect the Battery

If you may not be using your car for weeks or months, it is worthwhile to disconnect the battery. Simply remaining connected to the car, even if you are not using it, will slowly draw on the battery. Open the hood, and disconnect the negative terminal before the positive. You will need to wear safety gloves and use a socket wrench to open the nuts on the terminals.  

The certified technicians at Quick Lane at Jack Kain can conduct a battery test for your vehicle in Versailles, KY. This auto center has served the drivers of the area since 1979 with high quality and affordable maintenance and repair services. See their list of services online and call (877) 837-1796 to schedule a battery test for your vehicle today.