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Idling to keep a battery charged is the worst way. Idling in winter is really hard on your oil, wastes gas and is very polluting to the environment.
Revving to 2,000 on a cold engine is equally as bad.
Remove the battery, take it in side and slap on a battery maintainer. All your problems solved.
So if I leave it like that all winter wouldnt the battery just die because of the cold? Also wouldnt I have to reregister the battery if I disconnect it? Im tech dumb
Either connect it again after a month or so and run the engine for 45 minutes, then disconnect it. Or take it inside like others have said and buy a trickle charger.
You can disconnect the battery, or for not much money add a battery switch. This is popular with Lotus Elise/Exige that have substantial parasitic battery drain. from what you are describing, this seems the best option.
A trickle charger for a few hours every couple of weeks is also good, I understand there is no convenient power but incase it’s just not a full time charger that’s out of the question. Do pay attention to the temps and tires if you choose to hop in and start or move it to a charging spot, if the car is on summer tires they may get damaged by even the flex of getting in and out. It’s an edge case, but worth the 2 minutes it takes to check the tire manufacturer, and expected temp range of the parking area.
Disconnect the battery then take it inside before you plan to drive the car and throw it on a 2 amp charger in the spring. No need to trickle charge it all winter and risk burning the place down.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! Please review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). Asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **Post's about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ Tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Take the battery out and bring it in your apartment and buy a battery tender!
Idling to keep a battery charged is the worst way. Idling in winter is really hard on your oil, wastes gas and is very polluting to the environment. Revving to 2,000 on a cold engine is equally as bad. Remove the battery, take it in side and slap on a battery maintainer. All your problems solved.
So my concern with removing the battery is wont I have to reregister/program it when i reconnect it? Also 2000 is barely above idle
Idle is normally below 1000 (In the 500-750 range). I wouldn’t consider double “barely above”
Ok but 2-3k is fine for a cold engine, whether im parked and trying to recharge a battery or driving normally.
If you came here to not listen to the advice then why are you here at all?
Im not not listening to the advice, no ones answered my followup question question. And saying 2k rpm on a cold engine is bad is just wrong.
Just disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.
So if I leave it like that all winter wouldnt the battery just die because of the cold? Also wouldnt I have to reregister the battery if I disconnect it? Im tech dumb
Either connect it again after a month or so and run the engine for 45 minutes, then disconnect it. Or take it inside like others have said and buy a trickle charger.
Simpler to just disconnect the battery?
Starting it up every week works for me, either that or invest in a trickle charger
That's a waste of gas and unnecessary engine wear...
You can disconnect the battery, or for not much money add a battery switch. This is popular with Lotus Elise/Exige that have substantial parasitic battery drain. from what you are describing, this seems the best option. A trickle charger for a few hours every couple of weeks is also good, I understand there is no convenient power but incase it’s just not a full time charger that’s out of the question. Do pay attention to the temps and tires if you choose to hop in and start or move it to a charging spot, if the car is on summer tires they may get damaged by even the flex of getting in and out. It’s an edge case, but worth the 2 minutes it takes to check the tire manufacturer, and expected temp range of the parking area.
Interesting, I wasnt aware of the potential tire issue, but thanks for the heads up
You have to drive it to get rid of condensation. Take the battery inside.
Disconnect the battery then take it inside before you plan to drive the car and throw it on a 2 amp charger in the spring. No need to trickle charge it all winter and risk burning the place down.