What does the car battery run on when the car is off?

I know that there are 3 times the car radio will work: when the car is running, when the battery is engaged, and the setting when you turn the key backwards one space. When it is in that last position, what exactly is the radio running on? My dad has always told me that it wasn't the battery, but never told me what it was.What does the car battery run on when the car is off?
Your dad is wrong. When the key is in the run position ALL the car's electronics are connected to the battery. When the key is turned backwards one space (Called Auxillary or AUX) only the radio and a few other electronic circuits are connected to the battery.
runs anything



the ONLY time the car battery is used is its used to START the car and run accessories in the car ONLY when the car is off.. the alternator is what runs everything when the car is running.What does the car battery run on when the car is off?
i agree with mustange. if you put it on the ON position (turn the key forward) it pretty much turns on everything (electronically) on if you turn it backward which is the ACC than it doesn't turn on everything. the radio still gets the power from the battery but not all the other devices will turn on.
Your dad needs a lesson is electricity.



Here it is broken down:



The REAL power plant of the car is the alternator as it powers the car and charges the battery with the engine ON. The ONLY purpose of the battery is to start the car and run the accessories with the engine OFF.



A car battery is like any other battery, it ALWAYS supplies power if it's not dead.What does the car battery run on when the car is off?
I totaly agree with all these answers, jst like to add that if you hav the car on the ACC mode, with the radio going, for too long the battery itself will drain n eventually die if left for too long. to stop this, simply turn the engine on, if the batt hasnt died, evry so often and the alternator will charg up the battery again