Good battery for car that doesn't get much use?
 

Hello,

I unfortunately don't get to drive my car much anymore as I switched to a remote job with no commute. Maybe once a week for a short trip now.

My battery of 4 years just died so looking for a good replacement - anything you would recommend for a car that doesn't get that much use?

Only aftermarket item I have on there is front and rear dash cams, but they only run when car is running (plugged in via cig lighter).

Thanks!

If possible, I recommend having the battery hooked up to a trickle charger when not in use.

Or, disconnecting the battery entirely.

I wish I could do a trickle charger but I park in an apartment garage so no access to a plug.

Optima Yellowtop.

Get a battery tender, if you only drive it once a week for a short trip, you're not going to get a full charge.

You probably want one with a longer warranty, the longest I've seen is Costco with 48 Months.

what would you say is minimum amount of driving I should do per week to avoid the need for the battery tender?

I unfortunately can't use one as I park in a apartment garage so no access to power outlets.

I also vote for a Costco or Walmart with a warrantee. in addition you could try a solar cell from Harbor freight, I know it is inside but the new ones will work with florescent lights but not at full power.

Get a 6 or 7 year battery, and if it becomes an issue, get a battery cutoff switch kit and install next to the battery (they are not expensive) under the hood. Good theft protection too.

Probably a 30-1 hour drive a week (Non-stop) should be enough to bring the battery back to full charge. If you start and stop the car often, the battery would not get back to full charge (such as turning it off and on). Do a battery test quarterly so once the battery is determined "needs a charge", just swap the battery during the warranty period. Costco one is very lenient.

Battery cutoff switch would be ideal but unfortunately my car is push to start. So with the battery off the only way I can enter the car is manually opening the trunk (there are no ways to manually open the doors), then knock the backseats in, then crawl into the front of the car and open the door and hood release :brokenheart:

The key doesn't work in the door?

I don't use the car during Winter period. The best option is to disconnect the battery. Otherwise, you'll need to re-charge it every second week ..

There's a lock on the driver's side and a key in the fob..... it's how you get in when the battery goes flat.

I've had good luck with "Interstate" batteries.


humfrz

Now, THAT is a MAJOR brain fart - :slap:

:D


humfrz

battery update - got an interstate

more important, after reading all your comments I go downstairs and sure enough there is a keyhole. I decide to give it a try, but ofcourse the door just keeps opening automatically with the keyfob. so, I lock the car, remove the key from the keyfob, and leave the keyfob several feet away. I come back with just the key, put it in the hole, unlock the car and then the alarm starts blaring lolll

so I run back to my keyfob, plug the key back in, then go back to the car to shut the alarm

Which one?

believe was this one:
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/...35?search=true

was available at a shop walking distance from me so that was the deciding factor

Cool. I've always have had good luck with interstate. Have them in 4 of my cars and 2 in my boat.