How Long Should A Car Idle To Recharge Battery. Letting a car idle for 10 minutes will get the engine up to normal operating temperature but accomplish little else. While idling older vehicles for 15-20 minutes may give them enough of a charge to restart this approach is generally not recommended.
I suggest driving it to get the battery charged. This cant be used in case your car battery is totally lifeless or drained. However todays car engines are powerful enough to recharge the battery even in an idle stage.
Let it idle for a long period and all youll do it overheat the rotor windings and burn up your expensive alternator.
When the vehicle is not in use you can either keep the car battery in the vehicle or keep it separately. However you need to keep recharging the battery over time. Your vehicle is designed to be able to charge its battery while you are driving around or if you are sitting around waiting with the engine idling. Most car batteries which are in good condition will last at least two weeks without needing you to start the car and drive to recharge it according to the AA.
