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How long should I drive my car after charging the battery?

My battery was dying so I had to jumpstart it. I’ve heard it’s best to take it for a drive afterward, but I’d rather not drive around aimlessly for half an hour if I don’t need to. What’s the minimum amount of time I should drive my car after charging the battery?

avatar
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
After
jumpstarting
a car battery, drive around for about 30 minutes to enable the alternator to recharge the battery to a decent capacity. While the jumpstart can give it a little juice, your battery needs more time to get any significant charge to start on its own.
Remember, how much your battery recharges depends on its age and condition. If it’s an old battery, you may not be able to charge it to full capacity. As car batteries age, their maximum charge levels deplete.
The typical car battery only lasts for about three years. If you’ve had the same battery for a few years, or it has died more than once, you probably need to buy a new one. Old or compromised batteries can give out at any moment, leaving you stranded on the road.
If you’re worried about your car battery dying at an inconvenient time, get roadside assistance with
Jerry
. The Jerry app’s leading roadside assistance connects you with their nationwide network of over 55,000 service providers. With included services like towing, jumpstarts, and key replacements, you know you’re always covered!
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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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