2014 Toyota Camry 4-cyl
Because most of my driving is short distance, often with stops at several locations, I typically have made a point for years of taking an uninterrupted drive of about 35 miles each week to keep the battery charged.
During the past ten months I’ve done very little driving but still have gone for a good long drive every two weeks at farthest apart, averaging 35+ miles and several times a good 60 miles. It keeps the battery charged and the scenic drives maintain my sanity while otherwise mostly isolated at home.
About ten days ago I discovered I had left an interior map light on inside the car since having last driven it several days earlier. I only managed to drive about 15 to 20 miles in response to that error but had to quit because I didn’t feel well once I began driving. Turns out I was quite ill within a few hours later with either flu or covid from which I am finally beginning to improve.
It’s going to be later this week at soonest and likely next week I’ll be safely ready to go for an extended drive. So by then most likely a full three weeks or more the car will have sat after only a short drive following leaving that interior light on for several days.
The battery is two years old so hopefully the car will start without problem. If it doesn’t I’ll call AAA. And, yes, now I’m thinking that I really should spend the money to get a trickle charger to maintain the battery charge. I’ve been hoping not to have to spend the money for one.
My immediate question is this, about how far a distance, how long a time should I drive the car when I can manage to in coming days so that I ensure the battery is deep charged??? I don’t want to ruin an only two year old battery by letting it get too depleted.
(And, yes, I feel sheepish needing to ask but right now I have brain freeze.)