The most important consideration when storing any battery is to make sure the voltage never drops below 12.4 volts. If your battery is in a vehicle that is not used regularly and you do not use a battery maintenance device (voltage monitor/trickle charger) your battery could be slowly discharging. An Optima batteries has a much lower self-discharge rate than conventional batteries, but all batteries will lose voltage over time, especially if there are any small electrical drains (alarm clock, stereo memory etc.). Therefore, we recommend using a type of “battery maintainer.” This is a device that will monitor your battery and keep it fully charged while in storage to extend the battery life and ensure that it will start later. If it is not possible to use a maintenance charger, disconnect the battery from the vehicle during storage to prevent small electrical drains from discharging the battery. High temperatures will also accelerate discharge rates. When possible, store your battery in a cool, dry location.