Leaving car unused for 5 weeks - anything I should do?

[TheVoice]

I won't be using my car for about 5 weeks soon, is there was anything (obvious or not) that I should do? It'll be in a garage so won't be exposed to the elements but still concerned about what the cold weather might do, battery drain etc.

Similarly, anything I should do when I get round to using it again?

Thanks all.

 

[Begbie]

I wouldn't bother myself, left a car longer than that before and it's started no issues.

 

[p1RATE]

should be fine.

disconnecting the battery will help stop it from dieing when being left for a few week.

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

It should be ok, I would leave the handbreak off to stop it binding. Also if you're unlucky it might be a jump start to get it going.

 

[TheVoice]

Won't disconnecting the battery end up setting the alarm off?

 

[sovietspybob]

I leave my Subaru for 5 weeks at a time fairly regularly as its a 2nd car, if you have rear disc brakes & the handbrake uses them i'd leave the handbrake off as it could bind on otherwise. If you battery does drain you can either connect to a trickle charger or disconnect the battery. The alarm may chirp when you connect it all back up so have your keyfob ready to disarm but it'll be fine, the car will also idle weirdly for the first few minutes till it re-learns its short term fuel table but will be fine after a few mins and a short drive.

 

[Nightglow]

And make sure you have the code for the radio.

Left mine outside for 3 months unused, it started 2nd turn of the key.

 

[Jester*]

If you are worried about the battery, I bought a £25 maintenance charger from Halfrauds and is keeping my SLK nicely topped up. Just for my piece of mind really!

 

[Abyss]

If it's for 5 weeks I would just lock the doors and walk away. At a push leave it in gear and the hand brake on to stop it binding.

 

[TheVoice]

Cool, may have a look for a charger tomorrow then.

Thanks for the advice all, it's a new (to me) car so just didn't want to end up ruining it!

 

[ganesh]

5 weeks is nothing, i seriously wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ChocolateStarfishRammer]

Should be pretty much fine. Maybe abit of delay just to turn it over.

Give the brakes a good few goes before joining any main roads.

 

[Greboth]

Another vote for it shouldn't be a problem. Left a car standing for 2 years once, battery needed charging but apart from that started no problem

 

[Abyss]

Cool, may have a look for a charger tomorrow then.

I wouldn't bother. If your battery is flat after 5 weeks then there is something wrong with your car or the battery is on the way out (in which case buy a new battery when you get back instead).

 

[theone8181]

If you disconnected your battery, bear in mind case insurance may be void if you have an alarm.

 

[Amos91]

Surely if its just in a garage - get a trickle charger for it.

Keeps the battery in decent condition and will mean it will start up easily in 5 weeks time.

Much easier than potentially letting it go flat etc.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I once left my car for 3 months.

I parked it on the drive and locked the door.

Then when I needed to use it again, I got in and started the key and drove off.

 

[HummuH1]

Depends on the car I'd say but assuming it's not sporting a small lightweight battery or is a car known for having issues if faced with a flat battery, then as stated above, should be fine for that time.

 

[Muffin`]

I once left my car for 3 months.

I parked it on the drive and locked the door.

Then when I needed to use it again, I got in and started the key and drove off.

Good thing you don't have a proper handbrake, or it might have bound

 

[Maccapacca]

At the most try not to leave the handbrake on