How many miles is enough?

[1dave]

Hi folks, new member thinking of buying a 22 plate corolla but I'm put off by the Battery drain issue so I would welcome members views please.

I like everything about the 22-24 plate corolla except the prospect of having a flat Battery and having to faff about with chargers etc. It seems amazing to me that in this day and age car owners might have the prospect of having to drive more than intended just to suit the car but that seems to be where we are.  It's getting difficult to find a decent car if you drive short distances only. I can't have a home charger so an EV is out of the question and I only drive short distances so a diesel is not an option due to the diesel DPF issue.

I probably do about 60 miles a week, mostly short journeys but maybe with 1 journey of about 20 miles, mostly at motorway speeds.

I know it's difficult to generalise but would I be likely to have problems keeping a 2.0 corolla fully charged with that kind of mileage. What experiences do members have on this issue please?

Thanks

 

Dave

 

 

[Obsidian Estate]

I've had no problems with Battery drain.

[simond64]

10 minutes ago, 1dave said:

Hi folks, new member thinking of buying a 22 plate corolla but I'm put off by the battery drain issue so I would welcome members views please.

I like everything about the 22-24 plate corolla except the prospect of having a flat battery and having to faff about with chargers etc. It seems amazing to me that in this day and age car owners might have the prospect of having to drive more than intended just to suit the car but that seems to be where we are.  It's getting difficult to find a decent car if you drive short distances only. I can't have a home charger so an EV is out of the question and I only drive short distances so a diesel is not an option due to the diesel DPF issue.

I probably do about 60 miles a week, mostly short journeys but maybe with 1 journey of about 20 miles, mostly at motorway speeds.

I know it's difficult to generalise but would I be likely to have problems keeping a 2.0 corolla fully charged with that kind of mileage. What experiences do members have on this issue please?

Thanks

 

Dave

 

 

I haven’t had any issues, did minimum travel during lockdowns, had 3 corollas since 2020. Think u will be fine

[Roy231]

No issues here with Battery i do have the bluetooth and Keyless entry switched off this will help if you dont' need them.

[Bernard Foy]

No you won’t have any Battery bother even with only doing around 60 miles a week. It’s cars that sit for days on end without being used that can have 12volt Battery issues.

[TonyHSD]

As others said you will be alright. Usually it’s the time the car been ON important not the mileage driven. If you use daily or weekly for 30 min and more your Battery will be ok. 

[sportse]

When I wasn’t able to drive much in my auris, I would power it on for an hour once a week. 
 

the engine won’t run all the time, but it will still charge up the 12V Battery for all the time it’s in ready mode. 
 

if you turn off the climate control then it won’t use much petrol at all, but will keep your 12V Battery charged up if you can’t plug it in to a charger. 

[Saxmaniac]

This 12v battery"issue" has been blown up out of all proportion. Any car of any type will be ruined by regular short journeys, engine, not just Battery. As long as its getting a decent run at least once a week and not too many journeys less than 10 miles it should be fine. If it sits 3 to 4 weeks stick a Battery maintainer on it same as any other car 

[1dave]

Thanks folks, I'm reassured by those replies and will crack on.

[Jiff]

If you have keyless entry, don't wash the car with your key in your pocket. I did this and the car kept unlocking & locking. The next day after packing the car to go away for Christmas the car just about unlocked. Had to call the AA to start it. That's the only time i had a problem & generally drive only 10 miles a day say 4 days a week & about 20 miles once a week. 

Since the problem I got a rechargeable Battery starter for my January birthday & charge that twice a year and keep it in the boot. I've never needed it but it's reassuring to have it just in case. 

[sportse]

2 hours ago, Jiff said:

If you have keyless entry, don't wash the car with your key in your pocket.

I have a pocket signal jamming pouch I use when washing the car, otherwise it constantly locks and unlocks with the water on the handle sensors.

[Dylanfan]

2019 Corolla, never any issues with the Battery. Car has stood over 3 weeks and still started instantly.