Leaving car for four weeks

[zaplutus]

Have to leave my E280 CDI (2006) in my garage for four weeks as I will be away. Have read on this forum the problems that can result from the battery running low over long periods - apparently the cars computers still draw power when the car is parked. I plan to leave it unlocked and put a battery charger on a timer switch to give a one hour charge per day. First is this a good idea? and second is there anywhere in the engine bay to take the charger connections or will I have to leave the boot lid open?

Zaplutus

 

[television]

Have to leave my E280 CDI (2006) in my garage for four weeks as I will be away. Have read on this forum the problems that can result from the battery running low over long periods - apparently the cars computers still draw power when the car is parked. I plan to leave it unlocked and put a battery charger on a timer switch to give a one hour charge per day. First is this a good idea? and second is there anywhere in the engine bay to take the charger connections or will I have to leave the boot lid open?

Zaplutus

Hi, the battery consumption is higher unlocked than locked, so do lock it.

The timer sounds good idea, so it will not matter if its a auto or trickle on a daily basis.

On some cars the boot light goes off after 15 mins when open, try it.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

On some cars the boot light goes off after 15 mins when open, try it.

Malcolm

Pretty sure mine does, so yours will. Unless you have fold down seats in which case I'd put the wire through the a part opened rear window and disable the interior sensors.
If the boot is open, the alarm will be off, but I assume it's locked in a secure garage.

 

[carabind]

If your car is 2006,unless you're in Siberia, you'll probably be fine doing nothing, as the battery is relatively new and there are unliley to be gremlins in the electrics.Now if it was say a 1996 model, then yu do need to take precautions as detailed above. Think of how many new cars sit in pounds for weeks or months at a time before the are delivered. If you are putting it in a garage this will help, as effectively this lifts the temperture at which it stored (mine adds +5 degrees, as measured from when I start up "indoors" to which I am a few hundred yards down the road. A 280 will have a far size battery anyway

 

[television]

If your car is 2006,unless you're in Siberia, you'll probably be fine doing nothing, as the battery is relatively new and there are unliley to be gremlins in the electrics.Now if it was say a 1996 model, then yu do need to take precautions as detailed above. Think of how many new cars sit in pounds for weeks or months at a time before the are delivered. If you are putting it in a garage this will help, as effectively this lifts the temperture at which it stored (mine adds +5 degrees, as measured from when I start up "indoors" to which I am a few hundred yards down the road. A 280 will have a far size battery anyway

I also agree here, give the battery a charge when you get back, i do not like auto chargers as if the battery is on the flat side, the initial kick is what does the damage, a fixed charge is much better.

malcolm

 

[mlc]

I wouldnt leave it unlocked, I would expect your insurance company to insist that it is locked and alarmed even in the garage.

I agree that 4 weeks should be fine for a new car without any special treatment.

Mark

 

[Rory]

I'd be a tad nervous about leaving it unsupervised on a timed battery charger - they're not the most reliable pieces of kit.

Just figure out how to unlock with the key in case the battery runs down and the central locking doesn't work. Or else make sure you have time to sort it out when you come back and keep the Mobilo number handy.

 

[jberks]

If your car is 2006,unless you're in Siberia, you'll probably be fine doing nothing, as the battery is relatively new and there are unliley to be gremlins in the electrics.

Very valid point - we all leave them for 2 weeks without a thought. I guess 4 should be ok. However, I do wonder how long a modern E can live off it's battery....
Malcolm, any idea what the nominal current draw on a locked and alarmed modern merc is?
That said, I also don't know what the battery is - I assume > 60ah

 

[zaplutus]

Thanks for all the very valid points. Have checked the battery and it is 95AH so it should have enough juice to last four weeks. However I will leave car locked and alarmed (Uses less battery and covers me re insurance) - Will also give it a charge before I go and another when I return.
That's another item off my mind - now can I sort the wife out!
Zaplutus

 

[M6AJJ]

now can I sort the wife out!

A lot of us would be very grateful if you could post instructions (with photos if poss). Should have taken her back whilst still under warranty. Does Mobilo apply, no probably not if you've had her for 30 years!!!

 

[Blobcat]

Pretty sure mine does, so yours will. Unless you have fold down seats in which case I'd put the wire through the a part opened rear window and disable the interior sensors.
If the boot is open, the alarm will be off, but I assume it's locked in a secure garage.

If you pull the boot light plunger switch out you can switch the boot lights off with the boot open. It is handy for extended loading and unloading. The next time you close the boot the switch resets.

 

[television]

If you pull the boot light plunger switch out you can switch the boot lights off with the boot open. It is handy for extended loading and unloading. The next time you close the boot the switch resets.

When you buy quality like the SL,there is a swicth to turn it off if you cant wait the 15 mins.

malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Is that why the SL weighs so much My 'E' only has one switch, it's the same switch that switches the boot light on, you just pull it out towards you. One switch three positions

 

[television]

Is that why the SL weighs so much My 'E' only has one switch, it's the same switch that switches the boot light on, you just pull it out towards you. One switch three positions

you win :sad: I have not got one of those but I do have Distronic.

Malcolm