Should I disconnect battery if not driving car for 4 weeks.

[desrobinson]

I won't be around to drive my 1995 C200 for 4 weeks. Should I disconnect the battery?

If I did I can manually lock the doors and boot but that would mean the security system won't be active.

Do you think it'll be to leave it hooked up for 4 weeks.

I've got the usual things constantly running like the Mercedes security system/immobilisor and an aftermarket stereo head unit in it's off state (to retain station presets, volume settings etc).

I'm afraid to let anyone else drive it to charge up the battery. Big baby I know.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Providing the battery is in good condition not too old to start with, 4 weeks shouldnt be a problem.

Worst case a few hours charge when you return will be all it takes, i would leave in contected personally.

 

[television]

As above it should ok for that time,, you could always trickle charge it when you get home over night

It uses less energy locked than unlocked

 

[BeeJay]

I have seen small solar panels for sale which claim to keep your battery fully charged. Does anyone know if they work ? Clearly if you are parking your car in the garage for weeks any solar panel may struggle to help

 

[Larchlap]

Solar panel

Hi BeeJay, I have one of the said solar panels for use on last car (I use a bike in the summer) the theory is good but on my last car the cigarette lighter was not live unless the ignition was switched on (as I am sure it is not in a lot of cars) so when I left car unused for a number of weeks with solar panel plugged in and little red light flashing (indicating it is charging) the battery still went flat.. I bought a Optimate 3 charger that you can leave connected all the time.. Perfect.. Hope this helps. larchlap.

 

[jibcl500]

I leave my CL in thate garage most of the time with the battery disconnected, reconnect for the times I use it and then disconnect again, I only do 1000 miles pa in the CL and it eats batteries because of it.

jib

 

[desrobinson]

I use the car about 2 times a week with an annual jaunt accross the country averaging about 5000 miles a year. Then leave it for 2 weeks in an airport car park each year.

The battery is an aftermarket Delphi brand and It's approaching it's 5th year installed in the motor. It's warranty finished 2 years ago.

I've been very pleased with it, it's never let me down. I recommend it.

I'm kind of leaning towards disconnecting it bearing in mind the lack of car use, the age of the battery and what jib has mentioned.

 

[television]

I use the car about 2 times a week with an annual jaunt accross the country averaging about 5000 miles a year. Then leave it for 2 weeks in an airport car park each year.

The battery is an aftermarket Delphi brand and It's approaching it's 5th year installed in the motor. It's warranty finished 2 years ago.

I've been very pleased with it, it's never let me down. I recommend it.

I'm kind of leaning towards disconnecting it bearing in mind the lack of car use, the age of the battery and what jib has mentioned.

You cant compare the electrics on your car to a CL nothing like the same in any way

 

[popuptoaster]

I just got back on this forum as i have bought an old Benz again, must admit to not knowing Mercs very well but on my Cortina project if you leave the battery disconnected for more than a few hours the ECU resets to default settings and you need to drive it for a fair while before it gets all its performance and decent mpg back, i dont know if your (any?) mercedes has a "learning ecu" that pics up on your driving style like my Cosworths?

 

[television]

I just got back on this forum as i have bought an old Benz again, must admit to not knowing Mercs very well but on my Cortina project if you leave the battery disconnected for more than a few hours the ECU resets to default settings and you need to drive it for a fair while before it gets all its performance and decent mpg back, i dont know if your (any?) mercedes has a "learning ecu" that pics up on your driving style like my Cosworths?

There is nothing to worry about on the MB for this, newer cars though, if you leave the battery off for 6 months, the whole car may have to be re set, every ECU

 

[desrobinson]

I finally decided to leave the battery hooked up. Went abroad for a month leaving my Merc. Thinking if anything I'll just call breakdown service to give me a jump start.

Well my merc started first time, without a fuss. So did the wife's VW Golf infact.

So it seems as though most modern cars are quit frugal for using battery power when in 'stand by' mode.

Thanks for you advice though.

 

[television]

Good one and thank you for posting back and hoping that you had a good holiday