Leaving the car parked for 3 weeks

Ricochet J · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:10

I'm going away for 3 weeks.

I don't have anyone to start the car for me when I'm away.

What's the best practice?

Shall I disconnect the battery so it doesn't go flat?

Minstadave · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:11

I would just leave it, return after 3 weeks, start it and leave :confused:

What car is it?

xs2man · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:15

Leave it in gear with the handbrake NOT applied. The only thing that should be drawing on your battery will be the clock. Also make sure everything is turned off, lights and indicators.

I leave my car for periods like this ALL the time.

mjt · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:15

Minstadave said:
I would just leave it, return after 3 weeks, start it and leave

This. My GF's Spark has sat practically unused for the last 8 months.
We've driven it around once a month but that's about it.

Blackhawk47 · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:28

Immobiliser off if possible

OpenToSuggestions · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:29

Just leave it like you usually would.
I often leave either of my cars stood for a month at a time.

You are leaving a car stood still for 21 days, not 12 months.

Antony101 · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:46

My friend left his car keys with a friend when he went to the Falklands for 6 months so he could start it up every now and then during winter.

He wrote it off.

Rroff · 11 Apr 2015 at 12:48

Unless your having problems with the battery it should easily last a month - if your really worried and/or its parked outside could get one of those trickle charge solar panels for it though not sure how much it will help.

EdGey · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:03

Antony101 said:
My friend left his car keys with a friend when he went to the Falklands for 6 months so he could start it up every now and then during winter.

He wrote it off.

Ouch, what car?

Antony101 · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:05

EdGey said:
Ouch, what car?

A Fiat 500, nothing special but it was only a few months old.

Not sure how you crash a 1 litre fiat 500 though.

Blackhawk47 · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:08

Antony101 said:
A Fiat 500, nothing special but it was only a few months old.

Not sure how you crash a 1 litre fiat 500 though.

By driving like a ****.

Rroff · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:10

Antony101 said:
A Fiat 500, nothing special but it was only a few months old.

Not sure how you crash a 1 litre fiat 500 though.

He probably felt like it was his duty to put it out of its misery...

EdGey · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:11

Antony101 said:
A Fiat 500, nothing special but it was only a few months old.

Not sure how you crash a 1 litre fiat 500 though.

His friend did him a favour :eek:

[TW]Fox · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:22

Ricochet J said:
I'm going away for 3 weeks.

I don't have anyone to start the car for me when I'm away.

What's the best practice?

Shall I disconnect the battery so it doesn't go flat?

Best practice is to lock car, go away, then come back and unlock car 3 weeks later.

mccarf · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:32

xs2man said:
Leave it in gear with the handbrake NOT applied. The only thing that should be drawing on your battery will be the clock. Also make sure everything is turned off, lights and indicators.

I leave my car for periods like this ALL the time.

This^

ShakenNstirred · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:37

If the car isn't fine after just 3 weeks, i'd look for a better car.
you really shouldn't need to do anything

Lopéz · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:46

[TW]Fox;27896639 said:
Best practice is to lock car, go away, then come back and unlock car 3 weeks later.

This. Christ, I parked a 25 year old 205 GTI up for a year and it started with the first turn of the key when I went back to it.

Redgie · 11 Apr 2015 at 13:46

If you're really that worried (which you shouldn't be as per above posts) you can get a solar powered battery charger which fits in to your cigarette lighter. They're made pretty much for this purpose and aren't expensive.

Ricochet J · 11 Apr 2015 at 14:21

Thanks

Antony101 · 11 Apr 2015 at 15:41

EdGey said:
His friend did him a favour

I'd agree, it's a hateful car. Not sure why people buy them other than them being dirt cheap.