Battery Protection During Vehicle Storage

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Certain devices on the vehicle maintain a small continuous current drain, parasitic load, on the battery. A battery that is not used for an extended period of time will discharge. Eventually permanent damage will result. Discharged batteries will also freeze in cold weather. Refer to Battery Inspection/Test (Side Terminal Battery) or Battery Inspection/Test (Top Post Terminal Battery) .

In order to maintain the battery state of charge while storing the vehicle for more than 30 days:

CAUTION: Refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT CAUTION .

Disconnect the battery ground cable to protect the battery from discharge by parasitic current drains.

When the battery cannot be disconnected:

Maintain a high state of charge.
Establish a regular schedule for recharging the battery every 20-45 days.

A battery that has remained in a discharged state for a long period of time is difficult to recharge or may be permanently damaged.