Plugging a mobile device likely won’t drain the car battery, but it’s possible that other power-hungry gadgets could.

This is done so that you can save energy in your car battery, allowing you to start the car again later on. The power connector, cigarette lighter, or USB socket turns off after the key is removed from the ignition. However, you usually won’t be able to charge your phone while the car is off. To turn the AUX port on, all you need to do is put them in the ignition and switch it to ACCY or ON position. Most of the new cars have an AUX port switch. For instance, some cars in Russia, Europe, and China have a USB port that never shuts off. There are some car models that have their power outlets on all the time. However, it would be a bad idea to charge your phone while the key is in the ignition because that could drain the car battery if you leave it running for a while. If your key is in the ignition and in the accessory position, then the radio and 12V cigarette lighter charger will be functional without using the motor. It mainly depends on the car’s make and model. Can you charge your phone in the car when the car is off? But if the adapter is defective, then it might damage your phone. Using an adapter will help solve the higher voltage issue since it can regulate the power to meet the requirements of a smartphone.

Mobile devices usually run on 5V of power, so in order to use the 12V cigarette lighter, the power needs to be transformed to an acceptable value. Otherwise, it may damage the phone or it will not charge properly. The more amps an adapter has, the faster your phone will charge.Īs a safety measure, you should be sure that both the adapter and charging cable are not defective. They can have one or multiple USB ports and they also can have different charging speeds ranging from 1A to 2A or even higher. However, having the car running is generally a good idea, as it ensures that the car’s battery is being charged by the alternator while the phone is being charged.Īdapters come in different styles and sizes. It largely depends on the design of the car’s electrical system. Some cars do allow power to be drawn from the cigarette lighter socket even when the engine is off. In most cases, the car should be running in order for the charging to commence. To charge a mobile device in a car via the cigarette lighter, you will need to use an adapter and a charging cable. First, you’ll need to insert the adapter in the cigarette lighter slot, then connect the charging cable.

Cigarette lighter plug phone charger