Battery Protection During Vehicle Storage
Today's vehicles have high technology electronic devices which result in small but continuous current drains on the battery. The current drains are commonly called Parasitic Loads. Vehicles that are not used for an extended period of time may develop discharged and permanently damaged batteries resulting from parasitic loads. (A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures as high as -7°C (20°F). Freezing permanently damages a battery). In order to help prevent this condition for long term storage of 20 days or longer, disconnect the battery cable.NOTE: Turn OFF the ignition when connecting or disconnecting the battery cables, the battery charger or the jumper cables. Failure to do so may damage the PCM or other electronic components.
If this is not possible, recharge the batteries periodically (every 20-45 days) until the green dot is visible. Refer to Battery Charging. Once the vehicle is returned to service, reset the radio push-button tuning, clock, etc.