How often should the 12V battery charge?

Lately, I’ve noticed that the orange light indicating the 12V battery is charging has been on almost daily. It happens in my garage or when I park at places like the mall or a restaurant. This is different from when I first got the EV6—it only happened about once a week in warmer weather. Now, temperatures are in the high 30s to low 40s, so I’m wondering if the colder weather is affecting it.

I’ve also noticed that the red battery icon during startup doesn’t always flash like it used to. Is that normal, or should I be concerned?

Our 12V battery died within the first two years, so we replaced it with an AGM battery. You might want to get yours checked—it sounds like it could be on its way out.

Edit: We also found that the dealership had installed a LoJack module on the OBD port. It wasn’t activated but still drained the battery when the car was off. That might have contributed to the early failure.

@izael
We’ve only had the EV6 for 2.5 months, so that seems really quick. I’ll get it checked out ASAP. Thanks for the advice!

emma said:
@izael
We’ve only had the EV6 for 2.5 months, so that seems really quick. I’ll get it checked out ASAP. Thanks for the advice!

Good luck! I highly recommend upgrading to an AGM battery (Group H5/47). Costco and Walmart both sell them. AGM batteries handle the drain cycles in EVs much better.

@izael
Thanks! I’ll look into it if mine has already failed. I definitely don’t want to be stuck in freezing temps with a dead battery.

emma said:
@izael
Thanks! I’ll look into it if mine has already failed. I definitely don’t want to be stuck in freezing temps with a dead battery.

If you’re troubleshooting the 12V system, I recommend an OBD2 reader and a good app like Car Scanner. The EV6 doesn’t seem great at managing the 12V system, possibly due to prioritizing the ICCU after earlier issues. Your battery might not be failing given its age, but the OBD2 reader will confirm.

@Imani
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely check out an OBD2 reader.

I’ve installed a battery monitor, and mine charges about once a day for 30 minutes. Since EVs don’t have engine cranking sounds to warn you of battery issues, better monitoring or warnings would be helpful.

@jabali
What kind of monitor are you using?

Nathan said:
@jabali
What kind of monitor are you using?

I’m using this one: Amazon.com: QUICKLYNKS Auto Battery Monitor BM2 Bluetooth 4.0 12V Device Car Battery Tester : Automotive.

jabali said:

Nathan said:
@jabali
What kind of monitor are you using?

I’m using this one: Amazon.com: QUICKLYNKS Auto Battery Monitor BM2 Bluetooth 4.0 12V Device Car Battery Tester : Automotive.

Thanks!

I also have a monitor, and it’s normal for the 12V to charge once a day for about 35 minutes.

sorphia said:
I also have a monitor, and it’s normal for the 12V to charge once a day for about 35 minutes.

Got it. I’ll keep an eye on it over the next few days to see how often it’s charging. Thanks!

Did you sign up for any programs, like a power company off-peak charging incentive, or give your Kia Connect credentials to a third-party app? I did, and my 12V battery started dying quickly. If so, change your Kia Connect password. The car might be waking up too often, which drains the battery.

@Jason
Nope, I avoided doing that after hearing it could be an issue. It’s wild how something like that could kill the battery so fast.

emma said:
@Jason
Nope, I avoided doing that after hearing it could be an issue. It’s wild how something like that could kill the battery so fast.

Are you taking longer drives (30+ minutes)? Have you installed anything like a dashcam, OBD2 reader, or wireless CarPlay adapter that might draw power? Replacing the battery with a quality AGM one might help. A Bluetooth battery monitor with a data logger can give you more insights. I use this one: Amazon.com: (Upgraded BM300) ANCEL BM300 Pro 6V 12V 24V Battery Monitor - Bluetooth 5.3 Battery Monitor with Charging, Cranking System Test & Alarm - IP67 Waterproof Voltmeter for Trucks, Cars, Motorcycles, Boats : Automotive, and it’s on sale right now.

It sounds like your 12V is failing. The car keeps trying to charge it, but it’s not holding a full charge. Any auto parts store can test it for you.

Howard said:
It sounds like your 12V is failing. The car keeps trying to charge it, but it’s not holding a full charge. Any auto parts store can test it for you.

That’s disappointing—it’s only 2.5 months old. I’ll get it checked. Thanks!

@emma
Kia’s OEM batteries aren’t great. Mine died after 4 months, and I replaced it with an aftermarket AGM. It’s been fine since then. Have the battery tested first; if it’s good, the dealer might need to check the charging system. The 12V battery should be covered under a 3-year warranty, so the dealer should replace it for free if it’s bad.

@Howard
Got it. Thanks for the advice. Is it okay to swap out the battery on a lease, or could that cause issues with the dealership?