The guides / Laying up

Battery maintainers for stored cars

Choose by battery chemistry, vehicle instructions and installation conditions.

A charger must suit the battery and vehicle. CTEK promotes maintenance charging for seasonal vehicles, but the exact charger manual and vehicle handbook govern the setup.

Check Why
Chemistry and voltage Charging modes must be compatible
Approved charging points The vehicle may specify connections
Environmental rating Garages can be cold or damp
Long-term connection instructions Not every charger supports it
Cable route Avoid pinching, trips and hot or moving parts

Before connecting

Read both manuals. If a battery is damaged, leaking or suspect, stop and seek advice. Do not diagnose a fault by trying charging modes.

For battery monitoring systems or complex electronics, confirm the connection method with the vehicle maker. Do not disconnect solely because a generic checklist says to.

Without suitable power

Ask a specialist about alternatives for the specific vehicle and battery. Record anything to restore or check before driving again. Use the winter storage plan to keep those reminders together.

This guidance does not cover electric vehicle traction batteries. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions for those systems.

Sources

  • CTEK — checked 25 October 2026.

Sources & checks

Checked 2026-10-25. Read the original instructions before acting.