Check the battery after long standstil
Irregular vehicle use has long term effects on the battery
Having your battery checked is now more important than ever because many cars have not been used as regularly as they normally would have, over the last year. Most private vehicles clocked up fewer miles due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and a drop in commuter journeys. As a result, batteries faced major challenges last year. With continued restrictions in 2021 this looks set to continue for now.
When in addition to this we have warm weather outside it accelerates the degradation of the battery’s health, and so there are lots of cars out there with a weak battery.
The effects of a long standstill
Many cars have been stood still for months on end; therefore, the alternator has not had chance to recharge the battery. This along with a hot spring / summer and the cold winter have led to many batteries failing and leaving people stranded, particularly over the winter months where cold weather means the battery has to work harder to start the engine.
Today’s increased demands on the battery
This is also reflected in the latest ADAC roadside assistance statistics: Nearly 46% of all car breakdowns are caused by the battery in poor state of health. This underlines that batteries face greater demands than ever before, as they have to serve increasingly complex and power-hungry car electronics. Whereas Start-Stop systems, digital dashboards, inbuilt screens and parking cameras used to be limited to high-end vehicles, they are now commonplace on even entry-level models, all placing additional strain on the battery.
Many drivers are also plugging in their mobile devices to charge them whilst on-the-move, again drawing power from the vehicle. Therefore, it’s paramount to ensure the battery is in a condition to support all the comfort and safety features; it’s the heart of the car.
It’s been a challenging year for all of us and also for batteries. To avoid further troubles, have your battery tested. For more information on where to test your battery, find your nearest VARTA® partner workshop.
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Make use of our VARTA Battery Finder to find the battery product that fits your vehicle.
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According to the 2024 ADAC breakdown statistics, 44.9% of all vehicle breakdowns are caused by battery issues (see: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/unfall-schaden-panne/adac-pannenstatistik/). Ensure your battery isn’t one of them.
Find a trusted VARTA® Partner near you and get your vehicle battery checked!
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To extend your vehicle's battery life, consider these tips:
- Charge Care: Regularly monitor and charge the battery, especially during long-term parking or winter storage. Charge every two months if used sporadically.
- Check Charge: Regularly check battery charge, particularly in cold weather or after short trips. Dimming headlights indicate low charge.
- Prioritize Safety: Conserve battery by minimizing non-essential electrical use and keeping safety systems active during long drives.
- Clean Installation: Keep the battery and terminals clean to prevent discharge and enhance charging efficiency.
For more information find our article "Correct battery care" -
Have your battery tested by a workshop before temperatures drop, especially if the vehicle is older or used mainly for short trips. Preventive testing is the most effective way to avoid battery problems in winter.
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Start by switching off all electrical consumers and trying a jump start with proper cables or a booster pack. If you repeatedly find the battery dead in your car, it’s often a sign of internal ageing rather than a one-off discharge. In that case, have the battery professionally tested to confirm whether it needs replacing and to prevent the issue from returning in winter.
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Cold weather slows down the chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its available power. At the same time, the engine needs more energy to start and heated features (lights, blowers, seat heaters) increase consumption. This combination makes battery failure and other battery problems in winter much more likely.
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Finding the battery dead in your car during winter is often the result of summer heat weakening the battery, with cold weather then reducing its remaining power. As temperatures drop, starting becomes harder and existing weakness becomes visible.