5 Things You Should Know About Ignition Interlocks and Car Batteries

You’re new to having an ignition interlock device (IID) and you have questions. One of the most common questions asked is ‘Will an interlock drain my battery?’  At Monitech, we take vehicle maintenance seriously and do what it takes to ensure you can drive legally and safely at all times. If you keep your battery in good condition, your IID will not drain it.  

Here are 5 things you should know about the relationship between your Monitech interlock and your car battery.  

Your car battery is always working

Today’s cars have all sorts of accessories that continue to draw a minimal amount of power from your car battery when you are not using it – clock, radio, GPS device, internal computer memory. An interlock (IID) draws about the same amount from your battery as the clock on your dash. It uses less than 1/4 of an amp when the car is off.  A healthy battery in good working order should experience no issues during your interlock program.

Monitech technicians fully inspect your battery before installing every interlock

A highly-trained authorized Monitech service technician does a thorough check of your battery to make sure it is working properly before installing your interlock. In fact, there are multiple battery checks throughout the installation process. If the battery appears to be old and not functioning well enough to support the IID, the technician will recommend replacing the battery before completing the interlock device installation. You will be asked to sign off on the completed pre-installation checklist as part of your appointment. 

If the battery needs to be replaced before installing the ignition interlock device, it’s always a good idea to have the alternator checked as well just to rule out a potential problem there.

Monitech interlocks are designed for minimal battery impact

The great thing about a Monitech Ignition Interlock is that when your car is not in use, the system automatically goes into sleep mode which reduces the draw on your battery. You don’t have to do anything. Each device leaves our quality control and testing laboratory with this function preset and ready to go.  This will reduce the voltage your device draws when the vehicle is not being driven.

Your Monitech interlock will alert you if your battery needs attention

A Monitech device also has a low battery indicator right on the display to tell you when the battery is low. This allows you to recharge the battery or replace it if necessary to ensure that your IID continues to work effectively.  

Battery maintenance matters

These days, you may not be driving your car as much as you used to. It’s even more important to make sure you start and drive your vehicle at least every 2-3 days just to keep your battery charged. 

Your vehicle’s health is important to the success of your program. The Monitech Team is ready to answer all your questions about maintaining your car to ensure your interlock functions properly throughout your program.  Isn’t this the kind of support you want from an interlock provider? Call today at 800-521-4246 to get started.