Q: Should I idle my car if I do not use it that frequently?

asked by on October 26, 2016

I am a college student and use my car about once a week to buy groceries. It is starting to get colder and I was told to idle my car for a few minutes to prevent the battery from dying. What I've read however is that it drains gas and actually does not help the battery. Is driving my car once a week (For example, every Friday) enough in cold temperatures or should I be doing something else? The coldest it's been so far is around 25 degrees, but later in winter it can get down to -40 degrees. My car has an automatic transmission.

Battery Replacement $247.05 - $377.49 Get a Quote

Hey there. The vehicle should not have any problem with starting up once a week as long as the vehicle is driven for more than 30 minutes when it is run once a week to recharge the battery to a full state. A battery should not have an issue being used like this. If you notice when you go to start the car that it turns over very slow before starting, or does not turn over at all then you should have the battery tested to see if it is going bad.

Sometimes a battery will seem to work okay in warm weather and then looses it charge or ability to hold a charge for more than a couple days in cold weather. If your battery is over three years old then this may happen. Most batteries only last between three to five years before they fail and a drastic change in temperature can cause the battery to quickly fail. If this is found to be the case, then you should replace the battery to get your car back on the road.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I rewind or fast forward a song on the CD player?
Rewinding or fast forwarding a song could not be easier. Simply press and hold FF to fast forward, or RW to rewind. Release the button when you reach the part of the song you want to listen to.
What does the StabiliTrak Off message mean?
The StabiliTrak Off message will appear in the driver information center (DIC) when the StabiliTrak system is turned off. When the system is turned on again, the DIC alert will turn off.
Air conditioning compressor stopped working
If the compressor was recently replaced and has stopped working then most of the time it is because a fitting was left loose and all of the refrigerant came out or there is a loose electrical connection. It is also...
Battery light is on durign acceleration or on bumpy roads
When the battery light comes on in vehicles it is due to the voltage falling below the required 12.6 volts. This voltage is required for all the vehicles' electrical systems to work properly. The most common causes of the battery...
What is the function of the auxiliary battery? How is it related to the intelligence servo module?
Hello - these two components are unrelated. The principle function of the secondary battery is as a backup for the primary battery - for the Sensotronic Brake System, which uses electronic pumps for brake pressure to each wheel - not...
Looking to replace my rear breaks
Basically, if you are concerned about the quality, suitability, durability, and proper function of a replacement part on a modern motor vehicle, and you should be, the only acceptable practice is to use dealer OEM parts. To select parts using...
Please what gear oil is best for my Hyundai sonata 2005.
As you may know, there are a multitude of engine oils on the market all claiming to be the "best" and prolonging the life of your car's engine. One of the main questions you will be asked when changing your...
overheated and I cut it off started after cooling and died after a few min.
Your car doesn't have a timing belt, so it's not likely that it has "Jumped time." But if the car was low on coolant and overheating, it doesn't take much driving to do some engine damage. So it could be...
Car idle really low, below 250 rpm.
It sounds like you may have a dirty or failing idle air control valve causing your engine idle to fluctuate. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) is a small valve on the engine's intake system that reads the air intake...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Xterra
The The 2012 Nissan Xterra is designed for those who want a true sport utility that can still handle off-road driving with ease. Built on the same F-Alpha platform seen in the Titan and Frontier trucks, the Xterra also sports...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...
How to Replace an Ambient Temperature Sensor
The ambient temperature sensor monitors the car's temperature inside and out. This sensor allows the AC to maintain comfortable cabin temperatures.