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How long does a car battery last without driving?
I'm about to go away for a few months on a trip to Peru, and I’m wondering if my car battery will last, or if I should get a friend to come over and start it once and a while. How long can a car battery last last without someone driving the car?
Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That sounds like a great trip—I hope you have a great time! To answer your question, the lasting power of a car battery will depend on the age of the
car
.A new battery can stay charged for around two to three weeks. After approximately two to three months, a battery will lose its charge. If you leave the battery for roughly two to three months, it’s possible you’ll be unable to start the car engine when you get back.
Of course, this rule isn’t set in stone and there are examples of a car being fine after long periods of sitting. But if your car is older or if you’re going during the winter and the weather back home may be cold, it may be smart to have a friend head over once a week or so and check on the car, just to be safe!
You can also disconnect the battery. Even when you’re not running your car, you’re still using the battery for things like the alarm system, which will drain it. You would have to connect it again, once you get back, but if you want to preserve your battery life, this might be a good option!
No one wants to return from a wonderful adventure to find their battery dead. But you can travel with peace of mind with a roadside membership from
Jerry
. Our roadside assistance membership covers jumpstarts, lockouts, key replacement, and more, so that no matter where you drive, you’ll always be covered.Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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