Long-Term Parking and Car Batteries

Why Your Car Battery Dies During Long-Term Parking — And How PriorityStart! Can Help

When you leave your car parked for days or weeks, you expect it to start right up when you return. But modern vehicles, even brand-new ones, can surprise you with a dead battery after long-term parking.

Whether you’re flying out for vacation, storing a seasonal vehicle, or simply don’t drive often, parasitic drain can slowly drain the battery until the car can no longer start.

That’s where PriorityStart!, the automatic battery protector, becomes a simple, reliable solution.

What Drains a Vehicle Battery While It’s Parked?

Today’s vehicles never really “turn off.” Many systems continue drawing power even when the engine isn’t running, including:

• Keyless entry receivers
• Security systems & alarm modules
• Onboard computers staying in “sleep” mode
• Telemetry & mobile app communication (common in EVs)
• Infotainment pre-boot systems
• Memory seats, clocks, and radio presets
• Aftermarket accessories

Even a tiny draw — 20 to 50 milliamps — can drain a battery over time.

How Long Can a Vehicle Sit Unused?

Most automakers recommend no more than 90 days of storage without periodically running the vehicle to maintain the battery. After that, the risk of a dead battery increases dramatically.

At PriorityStart!, we’ll always recommend running the vehicle every 30-60 days for at least 15 minutes to keep the battery in good condition.

Even EVs are not immune: the 12-volt battery will still drain while the car is “sleeping,” leaving the vehicle unable to start even if the high-voltage drive battery is full. To avoid this, it may also be helpful to leave the EV plugged in if left parked for days at a time.

Why Long-Term Parking Drains the Battery Faster

Some situations that can accelerate discharge:

• Airport parking
• Cold weather storage
• Vehicles parked outdoors under extreme heat
• Infrequently driven EVs or city cars
• Older batteries nearing end of life

All of these conditions can make the battery voltage slide just below the threshold needed to crank or “boot” the vehicle.

How PriorityStart! Prevents Dead Batteries Automatically

Instead of disconnecting the battery yourself each time you’ll be away for a week or two, PriorityStart! handles everything for you.

Here’s what it does:

• Monitors battery voltage 24/7
• Automatically disconnects the battery when voltage drops too low (below 11.7V for less than a minute)
• Prevents deep discharge, which kills batteries
• Reconnects automatically when you open the door, start the ignition, or do anything else that triggers a load change. Vehicles vary and may have a different reconnection point, please see the manual or website for details, or contact our sales department.

You return from your trip, unlock the vehicle, and everything powers up again — no jumping, no calling roadside assistance, no frustration.

Conclusion

Your vehicle relies on its battery whether you’re driving or not. PriorityStart! ensures you never return to a dead vehicle again — all without lifting a finger or disconnecting anything manually.