Keeping your car in accessory mode may be just what you need while you wait. Some people want to use it for hours on end while waiting for a friend or stalking an ex-girlfriend (please don’t do it). Therefore, it is a common question to wonder how long the battery will last in accessory mode.
How long does the battery last in accessory mode? In accessory mode, your car’s battery lasts a long time. With a small amount of low-power electronics, a good outdoor temperature, and a healthy battery, your car can easily last overnight. Under unfavorable conditions, it may only last a few hours or less. It all depends on your specific situation.
In this car battery in accessories mode guide, I will discuss all about accessories mode. I’ll teach you what it is, what it does, why it’s so great, especially how long your battery can last when you’re in this mode.
4 positions for car ignition
When you look at the slot where the car key slides into, you’ll notice that there are four locations. Accessories mode is just one of the four. All of them in order are:
- The first one is “OFF” or “LOCK”
- The second is “ACC”, which stands for “accessory”
- The third is “ON”
- The fourth starts your jump starter and starts your engine
Obviously, I will talk about the second position a lot in this article. To illustrate, let me briefly explain the other three.
Close/lock the position
This position speaks for itself. No current flows from the battery to any component in the car. Except for a few overhead lights that turn on automatically when you open the door, there’s nothing working inside your car.
You won’t be able to move out of the car unless it’s parked.
Open position
The “ON” position will open the components inside the car. In addition, all the safety lights on the dashboard may be on at this point.
Engine crank position
The fourth position is also known as the “start” position. By turning the key to the “ON” position and holding it long enough, your car will start. If you’re having trouble starting your car, check out this guide.
Once the crank turns, the engine will flip over and the vehicle will start running. At this point, you can drive away.
Car Battery in Parts Mode Guide: What is Battery Parts Mode?
The second position is “accessories”, but what does that mean? In this case, the car’s battery will generate some electricity, but the vehicle will not be able to operate.
In other words, you won’t be able to drive around, but you can listen to the radio and charge your phone in the car. This draw comes directly from the battery.
Problems with Accessories Mode
How long does the battery last in accessory mode? Since the engine was not running, this led to a big problem: the alternator was not running.
As a reminder, the alternator is the engine component that charges the battery while you’re driving. When you’re idling, it charges slightly, but when the engine is loaded, it starts to charge your battery seriously – more specifically, when your car is moving around.
One of the reasons people advise against idling overnight is because the alternator doesn’t charge the battery properly, and the same story is true here.
Think of it this way: your car’s battery is a lot like your phone’s battery. Your phone needs to be charged regularly to continue working. When it dies, it won’t work until it recharges again.
For your car battery, if the alternator doesn’t charge it, it will eventually die. Once it dies, it will only run again and the alternator starts running after the jump starts.
How to enter battery accessory mode
Getting into “Accessories Mode” is very simple. Simply turn the key clockwise until you land in the marked position.
Keep in mind that you need to turn the car much less than you normally would if you started it. If you can hear the engine running, you’re not in accessories mode.
The purpose of the fitting mode
Why do people even use this “pattern”? It’s all about convenience. If you’re going to sit in the car for a while, the accessory mode will help eliminate some boredom.
More specifically, you can play music in the car, use the overhead light, and charge your phone with a USB cable.
This can be used in emergency situations where you are having trouble and you do need to charge your phone. Alternatively, you can use it while waiting for a friend to get in the car or for your child to finish exercise training.
The only real alternative to using Accessory Mode in your car is to keep it idling. As you probably know, idling is bad for the environment and wastes gasoline in your car.
How long does the battery last in accessory mode?
Now it’s time to answer the question on everyone’s mind: how long does the battery last in accessory mode?
Car battery in accessories mode guide: The simple answer is that it actually depends on the following:
- Outside temperature
- How many electronic components are being powered
- What types of components are being powered
- Battery life
I always recommend regularly checking the life of the battery before considering sitting idle for long periods of time or running in “accessory mode”.
So, if it’s cold, you have a lot of high-consumable parts running, and you have a short battery life, your car won’t last long in accessory mode.
On the other hand, if the temperature is reasonable, your component consumption is low, and you have only used a few, and your battery is new and healthy, then your car may be able to last overnight in accessory mode without problems.
If you want an exact number, you may see a number that is less than 10 hours. In harsh conditions and with a barely charged battery, it can be close to 4 hours.
Is it bad to keep your car in accessories mode?
Even if you do this regularly, it doesn’t hurt to keep your car in accessories mode. It’s a built-in feature of your car, so it won’t work like a self-destruct button.
In many cases, it’s actually much better for your car to use accessories mode than to idle the vehicle (to achieve the same result).
How to run accessory mode on a one-button start car
What if your car doesn’t have a key slot? You’ll still have access to Accessories mode.
With the one-button start button, it’s as simple as taking your foot off the brakes when starting the vehicle. In other words, place your feet on the ground in front of your seat and press the start button on your car.
At that point, your radio should be turned on and the different electrical components will start working. If it doesn’t work, then your battery may be dead.
Things to avoid in accessories mode
Car Battery in Accessories Mode Guide: Obviously, the number one way to extend the time you spend in Accessories mode is to minimize the strain on your car’s battery. When you’re using Accessories mode, there are some big players to avoid:
- Aftermarket Subwoofer – I’m a music fanatic, so I like to buy the best car speakers. This has led many owners to install a large, sturdy subwoofer and throw it in the trunk. While this installation may be perfect for the incredible bass line in music, it’s a quick way to blow up your car in accessory mode. The power required to power these big guys is incredible.
- Move your seat with power control – the power seat is powered by the car’s battery. Don’t believe me? When your car turns off or the battery dies, try moving your seat using the power controls.
- Rolling windows up and down repeatedly – another component that causes unnecessary damage to the battery is the window. Scrolling up and down repeatedly may seem innocent, but the effects can add up.
- Air conditioning and heating – Even if the air conditioning compressor is not turned on because the engine is turned off, the fact that climate control, fans, and other electronics are on can quickly drain the battery.
- Your GPS – plug-in navigation system will also consume some of your battery. Although the drain is not very large, plugging it in when you are stationary in fitting mode is an unnecessary piece of equipment.
Conclusion
How long does the battery last in accessory mode? At this point, you should have some confidence in the car’s accessories pattern. You know how to maximize the time in this mode, and you know some of the benefits of using the accessory mode. For more car guides, check out the rest of my blog. Take a look at some of the important car care products you should choose.
