Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
Inevitably, there will be times when you won’t have to use your vehicle. During this time, your electric vehicle must be properly stored. All automobiles, regardless of engine type, are designed to be driven in a way that does not stop at the warehouse. Therefore, car owners should take precautions when the vehicle is not going to be used for a long period of time.
// These tips will help you properly store your electric vehicle:
1. Pick the right spot for storing your electric vehicle | Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
Choose a closed place where you can park your vehicle. A garage protects you from the elements and has minimal leaks so water damage isn’t a threat. A relatively constant temperature is also ideal. Plus, a power supply helps you maintain batteries if you leave them plugged in or plugged into a slow charger.
If you don’t have a garage, you may have storage options. If it is not possible to keep your vehicle indoors, protect it with a waterproof cover. If your home garage does not have a residential EV charger, consider installing one. This not only makes it easier to store when you need to connect it to a charging portal, but it also makes your daily commute easier when you use your car more often.
2. Pay attention while charging the 12 volt battery pack | Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
Most electric vehicles have two batteries. While the high-voltage battery described above supplies fuel to your car, the 12-volt battery provides accessories throughout the vehicle. Certain systems continually drain the 12-volt battery. To avoid wear and tear, unplug it from the car or connect it to a slow charger that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet.
If you’re going to be storing the car for more than 30 days, unplugging the car is a better option, Bob Taenaka, Ford’s senior technical director of battery and cell systems development, told Cars.com. To disconnect the battery, first disconnect the negative terminal (usually black) and then the positive terminal (usually red). Store cables so they do not touch metal. Once you do this, you will no longer be able to use the release button on your keychain. So be careful not to accidentally lock your key.
3. Pay attention to the tires of the electric vehicle and keep the battery draining features turned off | Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
As with any vehicle, the tires on your electric vehicle will go flat under the weight of your car over time if they are not spun. Avoid this problem by storing it on risers to take the weight off the tires. Alternatively, you can spin your car every few weeks to rest on a different part of the tire. Certain features turn on automatically and consume the battery unless you specifically disable them. Every car is unique, but some examples include automatic map updates, warm-up or cool-down, and predictive battery checks. Read its operating instructions to find out which features drain your battery and how you can turn them off. Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
4. Charge the main battery pack | Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
According to Cars.com, the battery that powers your vehicle should always be charged between 10 and 80%. Maintaining a charge above or below this range can damage the lithium ion battery or reduce its capacity. There are a few methods to ensure your vehicle stays within this range, and the one you choose may depend on the manufacturer’s instructions. Some, like Tesla, recommend leaving the vehicle plugged in. This allows the heating or cooling system to function as needed. Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
If you decide to leave it plugged in, you need to set a charge limit so that the battery is not 100% full. Other manufacturers, such as Nissan, recommend storing it unplugged. According to Green Car Reports, Nissan vehicles go into “deep sleep” mode when they are not plugged in. If you plan to leave your car in the warehouse without an outlet, first make sure it is sufficiently charged. Then store the cables neatly, loosely coiled and unbent, and in a dry location recommended by Driving Electric. Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
5. If storing for over a month | Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
For the sake of your 12-volt battery, if you do not plan to drive your electrified vehicle for more than 30 days, Taenaka recommends that you follow these steps:
- Disconnect the negative terminal of the 12-volt battery when you feel comfortable and comfortable with it. Otherwise proceed to one of the following two approaches
- If it is a plug-in battery or hybrid electric vehicle, leave it in the socket
- Connect your 12-volt battery to a standard 12-volt battery charger on and allow charge continuously slowly.
When disconnecting the 12-volt battery, these details are important: Make sure you have your key fob and digital operating instructions (on your smartphone / tablet or printed) out of the vehicle, as you may have the physical keys (in tow) for lock and unlock the vehicle and the operating instructions for reference. Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
If the vehicle is in a locked garage and the 12-volt battery is in the trunk, then leave it unlocked. After disconnecting the 12 volt power supply, you can lock and unlock your vehicle with the physical key. Finally, if your 12-volt battery is in the trunk but you are not going to park the vehicle inside a closed garage, you will need another 12-volt source. Follow the “Jump Start” insructions in your owner’s manual to restore the vehicle’s 12-volt power supply and reopen the trunk. Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
In warmer temperatures, your vehicle and its batteries are designed for extended storage outdoors in direct sunlight. According to Taenaka if you are experiencing extremely hot weather and the vehicle needs to be stored for a time period of more than 30 days, if it is convenient for you, store your vehicle in some garage or in the shade in order to preserve battery capacity and extend its life. Tips To Store Any Electric Vehicle
