[Dreamer]

Could anyone tell me what I could do to keep my car battery from dying? I'm not going to be using my car for 3 months. I can't have a friend start it up for me either because it won't exactly be in an accessible location... Thanks, in advance.

[wreckonized]

one of my trucks that i dont drive much, i unplug the battery.
everytime i need to start it, i just plug the battery back and my truck starts right up. altho i dont suggest keeping alot of gas in the tank. gas can turn bad when they are left alone for a long time.


hope it helps =]

[aubrei]

disconncet the battery
if you have spare wheels with dead tires, put those on so you wont get flat spots
maybe get an oil change before storing it too

[terrorist]

A car battery would keep dying because inversely, the lesser the battery is used, the dying process continues. The more the battery is used, the lesser the dying process. But the dying commences and continues , the moment the car engine is not used. Thus, as often as the car is being used, the dying "resumes" the moment tne engine stops. And the faster it is used again, the slower the dying process.
EVerytime the car engine is used, the battery recharges, thus life is given back to the battery. Once the engine stops, the dying resumes. This is why the car battery keeps on dying (everytime the car engine is not being used)

or you can just check for your alternator or alternator belt

[kelvin6]

Depending on how old the battery is, it may or may not survive three months.

The reason behind this is because when the battery doesn't stay at what we call float charge (or around 12-13 volts), the battery acids begin to crystallize on the battery's plates. This is called sulfaction and it will occur because the battery won't be able to maintain the charge.

If you want to give the battery its best chance of even surviving three months, charge up the battery as much as possible before storing the car and disconnecting it. This means drive the car for a while to charge it up, all while driving to where you are storing the car.

You may want to borrow a jumpstarter battery when you need to revive the car or a very long jumper cable.

[Dreamer]

Thanks for the advice, guys, I appreciate it. My battery's never died before. The longest I went without using it was 1 week. So yeah, 3 months is a lot.. I'm scared it'll be dead when I come back.

Oh and sorry for being a newb, but do I need another car to jumpstart it? Because when I come back, I'll be by myself. It's a little complicating. But basically, I'll be coming home to an empty house via taxi from the airport. And no one I know will be around because school won't have started yet. (I'm a college student.) And my HOME HOME is 3 hours away. :/ I suppose I could ask neighbors.

[rms13515]

Were it me, If the battery hasn't failed, is in fairly decent condition and not very old, I'd just leave it as it is. Better chances to disconnect it of course, but if it's gonna drain it's gonna become crap anyways. Just think of when you get back, to avoid asking the neighbors for a jump, get a batter booster. Also for 3 months, gas shouldn't become bad.

[Rykerz]

dont keep too little fuel in the car either, mositure could form and you get water into ur engine

[Dreamer]

Thanks for the additional advice.

Were it me, If the battery hasn't failed, is in fairly decent condition and not very old, I'd just leave it as it is. Better chances to disconnect it of course, but if it's gonna drain it's gonna become crap anyways. Just think of when you get back, to avoid asking the neighbors for a jump, get a batter booster. Also for 3 months, gas shouldn't become bad.

Do you know where I can get a battery booster? Pepboys maybe?

[ZiGeNX77]

Auto parts stores should carry items like that, but I would call around to make sure.